Patent ID: 6276167
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: F25J

Abstract:
A refrigeration method, comprising the steps of:(a) introducing at least one hydrocarbon composition into a phase separator, such that the hydrocarbon composition comprises one or more hydrocarbons and includes at least a hydrocarbon liquid phase having a first pressure and a hydrocarbon vapor phase in the phase separator;(b) contacting the hydrocarbon liquid phase with a non-aqueous, non-hydrocarbon refrigerant while maintaining said liquid phase at said first pressure, the refrigerant being in an amount sufficient to lower the partial pressure of the hydrocarbon vapor phase and to vaporize at least a part of the hydrocarbon liquid phase and to lower the temperature of the hydrocarbon composition by at least 1 C; and(c) removing at least one hydrocarbon product, such that the hydrocarbon product includes at least a part of the hydrocarbon liquid phase or at least a part of the hydrocarbon vapor phase.