EP 0725256 A1 19960807 - Process to remove nitrogen from natural gas
Title (en)
Process to remove nitrogen from natural gas
Title (de)
Verfahren zur Entfernung von Stickstoff aus Erdgas
Title (fr)
Procédé pour éliminer l'azote à partir de gaz naturel
Publication
Application
Priority
GB 9502126 A 19950203
Abstract (en)
Nitrogen is removed from a natural gas feed stream by a cryogenic distillation process in which the feed stream (101) is separated in a distillation column (11); a methane-rich bottoms liquid (103) is recovered as a methane-rich product (104), preferably after being pumped (21) to increase its pressure; a nitrogen-rich overhead vapour (105) is warmed in heat exchange (4) with intermediate vapour stream(s) (112, 114) to at least partially condense said stream(s) for return (113, 115) to the distillation column (11) to provide reflux; and a portion (108) of the warmed nitrogen-rich overhead vapour (105) is utilized as a recycle nitrogen-rich heat pump stream (109, 110, 111) above the critical pressure of nitrogen to provide at least part of the reboil (2) to the distillation column and to produce a mixed vapour-liquid stream, which is returned to the distillation column (11) to provide reflux.
IPC 1-7
IPC 8 full level
F25J 3/02 (2006.01)
CPC (source: EP)
F25J 3/0209 (2013.01); F25J 3/0233 (2013.01); F25J 3/0257 (2013.01); F25J 3/029 (2013.01); F25J 2200/02 (2013.01); F25J 2200/50 (2013.01); F25J 2200/76 (2013.01); F25J 2210/06 (2013.01); F25J 2235/60 (2013.01); F25J 2240/12 (2013.01); F25J 2240/30 (2013.01); F25J 2270/04 (2013.01); F25J 2270/42 (2013.01)
Citation (search report)
- [AD] US 4662919 A 19870505 - DAVIS RUTH A [US]
- [AD] EP 0132984 A1 19850213 - UNION CARBIDE CORP [US]
- [AD] EP 0090469 A2 19831005 - UNION CARBIDE CORP [US]
- [A] FR 2682964 A1 19930430 - ELF AQUITAINE [FR]
Designated contracting state (EPC)
DE GB NL
DOCDB simple family (publication)
EP 0725256 A1 19960807; EP 0725256 B1 19990609; DE 69602771 D1 19990715; DE 69602771 T2 19991021; GB 2297825 A 19960814; GB 9502126 D0 19950322; NO 308628 B1 20001002; NO 960429 D0 19960201; NO 960429 L 19960805
DOCDB simple family (application)
EP 96300725 A 19960201; DE 69602771 T 19960201; GB 9502126 A 19950203; NO 960429 A 19960201