Patent ID: 6053007
Filing Date: 2000-04-25
Classification: F25J,Y02C

Abstract:
A separation process comprising the steps of:(a) introducing a multi-component feed stream into a separation system, at least a portion of said system operating under solids forming conditions for at least one component of the feed stream;(b) withdrawing a vapor stream from an upper region of said separation system;(c) compressing said vapor stream to a higher pressure stream and thereafter cooling at least a portion of said compressed stream;(d) expanding said cooled compressed stream to further cool said compressed stream; and(e) feeding at least a portion of said expanded stream to said separation system and regulating the pressure of the compressed stream of step (c) and the pressure of the expanded stream (d) to prevent solids formation in the stream fed to said separation system, thereby providing refrigeration to at least a portion of said separation system.