Patent ID: 7073350
Filing Date: 2006-07-11
Classification: F25J,Y02C

Abstract:
1. A gas processing plant comprising: a refluxed absorber operating at a first pressure, producing a bottoms product stream and receiving a feedstock and an absorber reflux stream; a distillation column fluidly coupled to the absorber, receiving a distillation column feed stream, producing a distillation column overhead stream, and operating at a second pressure that is at least 100 psi lower than the first pressure; wherein at least a portion of the bottoms product stream is expanded and provides cooling for at least one of the absorber reflux stream and the distillation column feed stream; wherein the distillation column overhead stream is separated into a fluid portion that provides reflux for the distillation column and a gaseous portion that is liquefied and provides the absorber reflux stream; wherein the distillation column comprises a de-ethanizer column, and wherein the feedstock is at a pressure of between 1000 psig and 2000 psig; wherein the bottoms product stream has a pressure and wherein expanding the bottoms product stream reduces the bottoms product stream pressure in a range of 100–250 psi; wherein the expanded bottoms product stream further provides cooling for a distillation column overhead stream; and wherein at least a portion of the feedstock is expanded in a turboexpander.