Patent ID: 6291734
Filing Date: 2001-09-18
Classification: B01D,C07C,C10G

Abstract:
An integrated low pressure depropanizer and debutanizer column for separating a feed stream comprising C.sub.3 's, C.sub.4 's and C.sub.5+ into a C.sub.3 's stream, a C.sub.4 's stream and a C.sub.5+ stream, comprising:a single shell housing a refluxed upper portion and a lower portion, each of said portions comprising multiple vapor-liquid contacting elements;a generally vertical wall partitioning the lower portion into a debutanizer section and a depropanizer stripper section;a feed line for supplying at least one feed stream to at least one feed stage of the debutanizer section of the lower portion of the column, between a plurality of absorption stages in the debutanizer section above the feed stage and a plurality of stripping stages in the debutanizer section below the feed stage, for producing an overhead vapor stream from the debutanizer section consisting essentially of C.sub.3 's and C.sub.4 's and a bottoms stream consisting essentially of C.sub.5 and heavier components;a distribution pan at a lower end of the upper portion of the column for facilitating passage of vapors from the debutanizer and depropanizer stripper sections into the upper column portion, and for dividing liquid for passage from the upper portion of the column into an upper stage of the debutanizer section and into the depropanizer stripping section.