Patent ID: 7716947
Filing Date: 2010-05-18
Classification: C10G,F25J,F28D

Abstract:
1. Apparatus for condensing a first compound from an entering mixed gas stream including, in gas phase, the first compound and a second compound with a condensation temperature below the condensation temperature of the first compound, and producing the first compound from the apparatus in liquid phase and the second compound from the apparatus in gas phase, comprising, a pre-cooler assembly including an outer jacket for conveying the mixed gas stream entering the apparatus, and an inner pipe extending through said outer jacket for conveying the cooled gas stream exiting the apparatus through the mixed gas stream in separated heat exchange relationship therewith, wherein the mixed gas stream conveyed through said outer jacket is cooled by heat exchange with the gas stream conveyed through said inner pipe; a chiller assembly including an outer jacket connected to said outer jacket of said pre-cooler assembly in gas flow relationship therewith, said outer jacket of said chiller assembly receiving and conveying the mixed gas stream through said chiller assembly, a first refrigerant line extending through said outer jacket of said chiller assembly, said first refrigerant line conveying a first refrigerant in separated heat exchange relationship with the mixed gas stream, said first refrigerant being at a temperature not greater than the temperature required to condense the first compound from the mixed gas stream, and a second refrigerant line extending through said first refrigerant line, said second refrigerant line conveying a second refrigerant in separated heat exchange relationship with said first refrigerant, said second refrigerant being at a temperature below the temperature of said first refrigerant, wherein heat is transferred from the mixed gas stream to said first refrigerant so as to condense the first compound from the mixed gas stream in liquid phase and leave the second compound in gas phase, and wherein heat from said first refrigerant is transferred to said second refrigerant so as to maintain the temperature of said first refrigerant at a temperature not greater than the temperature required to condense the first compound; a compressor/condenser assembly connected in refrigerant flow relationship to said first refrigerant line of said chiller assembly and to said second refrigerant line of said chiller assembly, to receive said first refrigerant from said chiller assembly, remove heat therefrom, and return said first refrigerant to said chiller assembly, and to receive said second refrigerant from said chiller assembly, remove heat therefrom, and return said second refrigerant to said chiller assembly; a separator assembly including a vessel connected to said outer jacket of said chiller assembly in gas flow and liquid flow relationship therewith to receive the first compound in liquid phase and the second compound in gas phase from said chiller assembly and separate such liquid from such gas, a liquid outlet for conveying the first compound in liquid phase from said vessel, and a gas outlet for conveying the second compound in gas phase from said vessel, said gas outlet connected in gas flow relationship to said inner pipe of said pre-cooler assembly; wherein the volumetric flow rate of said second refrigerant through said second refrigerant line is less than the volumetric flow rate of said first refrigerant through said first refrigerant line.