Abstract

A system and method for producing an NGL product stream in either an ethane retention or rejection mode. Rejection modes include (a) two heat exchange stages between a feed stream and first separator bottoms stream and cooling a side stream withdrawn from a fractionation tower through heat exchange with both the fractionation tower and second separator overhead streams; or (b) warming the first separator bottoms stream and fractionation overhead stream through heat exchange with the side stream prior to heat exchange with the feed stream, to achieve 4-15% ethane recovery and 97%+ propane recovery. In ethane retention mode, a portion of the feed stream and portions of a first separator overhead and bottoms streams are separately cooled through heat exchange with other process streams, including the entireties of a recycled residue gas and fractionation column overhead streams, resulting in around 99% ethane and around 100% propane recovery.

IPC Classes  ?

• F25J 3/02 - Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
• F25J 3/06 - Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by partial condensation
• F25J 3/08 - Separating gaseous impurities from gases or gaseous mixtures

Abstract

A system and method for removing nitrogen and producing a high pressure methane product stream and an NGL product stream from natural gas feed streams where at least 90%, and preferably at least 95%, of the ethane in the feed stream is recovered in the NGL product stream. The system and method of the invention are particularly suitable for use with feed streams in excess of 5 MMSCFD and up to 300 MMSCFD and containing around 5% to 80% nitrogen. The system and method preferably combine use of strategic heat exchange between various process streams with a high pressure rectifier tower and the ability to divert all or a portion of a nitrogen rejection unit feed stream to optionally bypass a nitrogen fractionation column to reduce capital costs and operating expenses.

IPC Classes  ?

• F25J 3/02 - Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
• F25J 3/00 - Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
• F25J 3/06 - Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by partial condensation
• F25J 3/08 - Separating gaseous impurities from gases or gaseous mixtures

Abstract

A system and method for removing nitrogen and producing a high pressure methane product stream from natural gas feed streams having wide variations in nitrogen and methane content are disclosed. Optional add-on systems may be incorporated into the nitrogen and methane separation to produce an NGL sales stream to reduce excess hydrocarbons in the nitrogen vent stream, or to recover helium. The system and method of the invention are particularly suitable for use with feed streams in excess of 50 MMSCFD and up to 300 MMSCFD and containing up to 100 ppm carbon dioxide. Typical power requirements for compressing the methane product stream to produce a suitably high pressure stream for sale are reduced according to the systems and methods of the invention.

IPC Classes  ?

• F25J 3/02 - Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by rectification, i.e. by continuous interchange of heat and material between a vapour stream and a liquid stream
• F25J 3/00 - Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification
• F25J 3/06 - Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification by partial condensation
• F25J 3/08 - Separating gaseous impurities from gases or gaseous mixtures

Goods & Services

Construction of structures for natural gas production in the gas industry; construction of structures for gas processing facilities in the gas industry; construction project management services in the field of construction of gas processing facilities; technical consulting related to the installation of natural gas and hydrocarbon processing equipment, control systems, and machinery Custom fabrication and production of natural gas and hydrocarbon processing equipment and machinery; assembly of oil and gas industrial machines for others; technical consulting relating to the manufacture of oil and gas equipment, control systems and machinery; fuel refining, namely, natural gas liquefaction services

Abstract

A system and method for removing nitrogen and producing a high pressure methane product stream from natural gas feed streams is disclosed. A system for also producing natural gas liquids in conjunction with nitrogen removal from natural gas feed streams is also disclosed. The system and method of the invention are particularly suitable for use with feed streams in excess of 50 MMSCFD and up to 750 MMSCFD and containing up to 75 ppm carbon dioxide. Typical power requirements for compressing the methane product stream to produce a suitably high pressure stream for sale are reduced according to the system and method of the invention.

IPC Classes  ?

• F25J 3/08 - Separating gaseous impurities from gases or gaseous mixtures

Abstract

An apparatus and method useful for partially condensing vapor in the upper section of a fractionation tower to separate and remove a lighter gaseous fraction from a condensed liquid component, such as nitrogen from natural gas. A downflow, knockback condenser is disclosed that utilizes a vapor riser to introduce a flow of vapor into a headspace above a vertical tubular heat exchanger, thereby establishing a downflow of condensed liquid and a lighter gaseous fraction through the heat exchange tubes.

IPC Classes  ?

• F25J 3/00 - Processes or apparatus for separating the constituents of gaseous mixtures involving the use of liquefaction or solidification