GB652303A - Adsorption separation process for hydrocarbons - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0652303/III/1> In the separation of a gaseous mixture consisting essentially of C1, C2 and C3 hydrocarbons with or without higher hydrocarbons employing a common liquid or fluidized solid absorbent such that the hydrocarbons are reversibly absorbed with increasing readiness in the order named, the mixture is passed through a first contacting zone in counter-current to the absorbent coming from a second contacting zone so as to absorb C3 and higher hydrocarbons and strip C2 hydrocarbons from the absorbent, the major proportion of the unabsorbed gases being withdrawn and a minor proportion being passed through the second contacting zone in countercurrent to fresh absorbent whereby C2 hydrocarbons are absorbed and unabsorbed gases withdrawn. As shown, the gaseous mixture is fed at 16 to column 11 and liquid absorption oil, e.g. C5-C7 hydrocarbons is fed at 15. Heat is supplied by means 19 to strip C2 hydrocarbons from the oil. Fat oil containing C3 hydrocarbons is withdrawn at 14 and delivered to stripping column 26 wherein the C3 hydrocarbons are removed and from which the lean oil is recycled to column 11. A major portion of the unabsorbed gas in column 11 comprising C1 and C2 hydrocarbons is withdrawn at 17, the remainder comprising substantially C1 hydrocarbons is discharged at 12. When a multiplicity of separations is desired, several of the off-take lines 17 are provided at spaced points between the gas and absorbent entries.