Patent ID: 6266977
Filing Date: 2001-07-31
Classification: F25J,Y10S

Abstract:
A process for the separation of a feed gas mixture comprising hydrogen and one or more components selected from the group consisting of ethane, ethylene, propane, and propylene, which process comprises:(a) cooling the feed gas mixture;(b) introducing the resulting cooled feed gas mixture into a cooling and fractionation zone wherein the cooled feed gas mixture is further cooled and fractionated to yield a light overhead gas stream and a liquid product stream enriched in one or more components selected from the group consisting of ethane, ethylene, propane, and propylene; and(c) providing at least a portion of the refrigeration required in (a) and (b) by indirect heat exchange with a cold refrigerant stream generated by work expanding a pressurized gaseous refrigerant stream in a closed-loop gas expander refrigeration process.