Patent ID: 7208650
Filing Date: 2007-04-24
Classification: C07C,C10G,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A process for removing dimethyl ether from an olefin-containing effluent stream, the process comprising the steps of: (a) providing the effluent stream, wherein the effluent stream comprises ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene and dimethyl ether; (b) contacting the effluent stream with an oxygenate removal medium in an oxygenate removal unit under conditions effective to form a first overhead stream and a first bottoms stream, wherein the first overhead stream comprises residual oxygenate removal medium and a majority of the ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and dimethyl ether and wherein the first bottoms stream comprises a minority of the dimethyl ether and a majority of the oxygenate removal medium; (c) contacting the first overhead stream with water under conditions effective to form a second overhead stream and a second bottoms stream, wherein the second overhead stream comprises a majority of the ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and dimethyl ether present in the first overhead stream, and wherein the second bottoms stream comprises a majority of the residual oxygenate removal medium and a majority of the water; and (d) separating at least a portion of the second overhead stream into a third overhead stream and a third bottoms stream, wherein the third overhead stream comprises a majority of the propylene and optionally a majority of the ethane, ethylene and light ends present in the at least a portion of the second overhead stream, and wherein the third bottoms stream comprises a majority of the dimethyl ether present in the at least a portion of the second overhead stream.