Hydrocarbon cryogenic

Several types of fluids are used as refrigerants in mechanical compression systems ammonia, halocarbon compounds, hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and cryogenic fluids. A wide temperature range therefore is afforded. These fluids boil and condense isotherm ally. The optimum temperature or pressure at which each can be used can be deterrnined from the economics of the system. The optimum refrigerant can be deterrnined only... 

The use of natural gas as a hydrocarbon source depends on transportation. Over long distances and waterways, Hquefied natural gas (LNG) is dehvered in cryogenic tankers or tmcks (see Gas, natural Pipelines). In the United States, about 22% of the fossil-fuel energy used in 1990 was gas, but in Japan this percentage was much less. 

Nitrogen is used for pressure maintenance in oil and gas reservoirs for enhanced recovery. It is sometimes used as a miscible agent to reduce oil viscosity and increase recovery in deep reservoirs. Other appHcations include recovery of oil in attic formations, gas cap displacement, and a sweep gas for miscible CO2 slugs. Nitrogen competes with CO2, a more miscible gas with hydrocarbons (qv), in most of these appHcations. The production mode is typically by on-site cryogenic separation plants. In 1990, nitrogen production in enhanced recovery operations was 20 x 10 m /d (750 million SCF/d)... 

The dephlegmator process recovers a substantially higher purity C2+ hydrocarbon product with 50—75% lower methane content than the conventional partial condensation process. The C2+ product from the cryogenic separation process can be compressed and further separated in a de-ethanizer column to provide a high purity C3+ (LPG) product and a mixed ethylene—ethane product with 10—15% methane. Additional refrigeration for the deethanization process can be provided by a package Freon, propane or propylene refrigeration system. 

In contrast to other cryogenic fluids, liquid oxygen is slightly magnetic. It is also chemically reactive, particularly with hydrocarbon materials. Oxygen thus presents a safety problem and requires extra precautions in handling. 

As stated earlier, turboexpanders are normally used in cryogenic processes to produce isentropic expansion to cool down the process gas. Two common applications are natural gas processing plants and chemical plants. In natural gas processing plants, turboexpanders are installed to liquify heavier hydrocarbon components and produce lean natural gas with specified dew point limits to meet required standards. 

Catalytic Adsorption. This method can reduce impurities, such as H2, O2, CO, and hydrocarbons, to less than 10 ppb. The catalyst converts these impurities into CO2, H2O, and other species that can then be removed by molecular sieves and cryogenic adsorption. 

Cryoplus A cryogenic process for separating hydrocarbon gases. Developed and licensed by Technip. In 1992, more than ten units were operating. 

Ryan-Holmes A cryogenic extractive distillation process using liquid carbon dioxide, in which a light hydrocarbon is added in order to suppress the freezing of the carbon dioxide. Licensed by Process Systems International nine licenses had been granted by 1992. 

Hashimoto, S. and Akimoto, H. (1989). UV absorption spectra and photochemical reactions of simple aromatic hydrocarbons in the cryogenic oxygen matrix. J. Phys. 

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