Patent ID: 6077985
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: B01D,C07C

Abstract:
An integrated deethanizer and ethylene fractionation column for separating a feed stream comprising ethylene, ethane and C.sub.3+ into an ethylene stream, an ethane stream and a C.sub.3+ 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 deethanizer section and an ethylene stripper section;a feed line for supplying at least one feed stream to at least one feed stage of the deethanizer section of the lower portion of the column, between a plurality of absorption stages above the feed stage and a plurality of stripping stages below the feed stage, for producing an overhead vapor stream from the deethanizer section consisting essentially of ethylene and ethane and a bottoms stream consisting essentially of C.sub.3 and heavier components;a distribution pan at a lower end of the upper portion of the column for facilitating passage of vapors from the deethanizer and ethylene 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 deethanizer section and into the ethylene stripping section.