IP Library Granted Patent US 12,135,166
Granted Patent B2
US 12,135,166 · App. 18/204,005 · Granted Nov 5, 2024

Process for separating hydrogen from an olefin hydrocarbon effluent vapor stream

Inventors: James Zhao (Houston, TX); Shukui Zhao (Katy, TX)
Assignee: Enflex, Inc.
F25J3/0252F25J3/0219F25J3/062F25J3/0645F25J3/0655F25J2200/02F25J2205/04F25J2210/04F25J2210/12F25J2210/62F25J2215/02F25J2215/04F25J2215/10F25J2215/64F25J2230/08F25J2230/20F25J2230/30F25J2230/32F25J2230/60F25J2235/60F25J2240/04F25J2240/40F25J2245/02F25J2270/06F25J2270/904
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,135,166
App. No.
18/204,005
Granted
Nov 5, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

One or more specific embodiments disclosed herein includes a method for separating hydrogen from an olefin hydrocarbon rich compressed effluent vapor stream, employing a integrated heat exchanger, multiple gas-liquid separators, external refrigeration systems, and a rectifier attached to a liquid product drum.

Claims (20)

1. A process for providing refrigeration to streams within an integrated main heat exchanger comprising:

a. providing a pressurized and totally condensed liquid refrigerant stream, wherein the pressurized and totally condensed liquid refrigerant stream comprises a pressure between 1,000 kPa·G and 1,750 kPa·G;

b. sub-cooling the pressurized and totally condensed liquid refrigerant stream in the integrated main heat exchanger to provide sub-cooled liquid stream, wherein the sub-cooled liquid stream comprises a pressure between 15 kPa·G and 50 kPa·G and a temperature between 10° C. and −25° C.;

c. lowering the pressure of the sub-cooled liquid stream in a first control valve to provide a first pressure-reduced, temperature-decreased vapor/liquid mixed stream, wherein the first pressure-reduced, temperature-decreased vapor/liquid mixed stream comprises a temperature between −30° C. and −45° C.;

d. introducing the first pressure-reduced, temperature-decreased vapor/liquid mixed stream into a first thermosiphon vessel to provide a first cold liquid refrigerant stream and a first flashed vapor stream;

e. circulating the first cold liquid refrigerant stream from a bottom outlet of the first thermosiphon vessel, through the integrated main heat exchanger, and then back to an upper inlet of the first thermosiphon vessel to maintain a steady internal liquid level within the first thermosiphon vessel, wherein the integrated main heat exchanger vaporizes the first cold liquid refrigerant stream to provide a first two-phase refrigerant stream, wherein the first two-phase refrigerant stream comprises between 30% and 50% vapor;

f. compressing the first flashed vapor stream in at least one first compressor to provide a first compressed stream;

g. cooling the first compressed stream in a final stage discharge condenser to provide the pressurized and totally condensed liquid refrigerant stream;

h. providing a pressurized and cooled refrigerant stream, wherein the pressurized and cooled refrigerant stream comprises a pressure between 1,650 kPa·G and 1,950 kPa·G;

i. cooling the pressurized and cooled refrigerant stream in the integrated main heat exchanger to provide a cooled and totally condensed liquid stream, wherein the cooled and totally condensed liquid stream comprises a temperature between −30° C. and −40° C.;

j. lowering the pressure and temperature of the cooled and totally condensed liquid stream in a second control valve to provide a second pressure-reduced temperature-decreased vapor/liquid mixed stream, wherein the second pressure-reduced temperature-decreased vapor/liquid mixed stream comprises a pressure between 450 kPa·G and 700 kPa·G and a temperature between −50° C. and −70° C.;

k. introducing the second pressure-reduced temperature-decreased vapor/liquid mixed stream into a second thermosiphon vessel to provide a first warm liquid refrigerant stream and a second flashed vapor stream;

l. circulating the first warm liquid refrigerant stream from a bottom outlet of the second thermosiphon vessel, through the integrated main heat exchanger, and then back to an upper inlet of the second thermosiphon vessel to maintain a steady internal liquid level within the second thermosiphon vessel, wherein the integrated main heat exchanger vaporizes the first warm liquid refrigerant stream to provide a second two-phase refrigerant stream, wherein the second two-phase refrigerant stream comprises between 30% and 50% vapor;

m. drawing a second warm liquid refrigerant stream from the first warm liquid refrigerant stream and lowering the pressure of the second warm liquid refrigerant stream in a third control valve to provide a pressure-reduced temperature-decreased liquid stream, wherein the pressure-reduced temperature-decreased liquid stream comprises a pressure between 5 kPa·G and 50 kPa·G and a temperature between −95° C. and −115° C.;

n. introducing the pressure-reduced temperature-decreased liquid stream to a third thermosiphon vessel to provide a second cold liquid refrigerant stream and a third flashed vapor stream;

o. circulating the second cold liquid refrigerant stream from a bottom outlet of the third thermosiphon vessel, through the integrated main heat exchanger, and then back to an upper inlet of the third thermosiphon vessel to maintain a steady internal liquid level within the third thermosiphon vessel, wherein the integrated main heat exchanger vaporizes the second cold liquid refrigerant stream to provide a third two-phase refrigerant stream, wherein the third two-phase refrigerant stream may comprise between 30% and 50% vapor;

p. compressing the third flash vapor stream in a second compressor to provide a first stage recycle compression discharge stream;

q. combining the second flashed vapor stream and the first stage recycle compression discharge stream to provide a combined feed stream;

r. compressing the combined feed stream in a third compressor to provide a second compressed; and

s. cooling the second compressed stream in a final stage discharger cooler to provide the first pressurized and cooled refrigerant stream.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 23, 2023
From: ZHAO, JAMES; ZHAO, SHUKUI
To: ENFLEX, INC.
Reel/Frame 064040/0420 →
Continuity (6)
Division 17191427 · Mar 3, 2021
Continuation 17191373 · Mar 3, 2021
Continuation In Part 17113640 · Dec 7, 2020
Division 15988601 · May 24, 2018
Continuation In Part 15600758 · May 21, 2017
Related Publication 20230304732A1 · Sep 28, 2023