Fractionation Train Design And Operation

[Berenger]

Hi all, I am designing a fractionation train to recover ethane, propane and butanes.

Can anyone help me with typical condenser pressures and temperatures? Also, I have substantial methane in the deethanizer distillate stream that I would like to remove to get pure ethane. Can anyone help me with what process can help me achieve my stated goal?

Thanks,

Berenger.

 

[sshep]

Hey Berenger,

I figured someone would have replied by now, but i will give it a shot.

Your cooling system will set the minimum ethane tower pressure, and everything else can shake out from there. A propylene refrigeration system can get you to -40F.

Is this a totally new design, or do you have some existing system (feed compression, cooling system, towers) you can utilize to reduce cost.

Also, how much methane to ethane ratio, and what do you want to do with the methane? To condense methane will be expensive because of the temperatures and equipment, but flaring could be wasteful.

Best wishes,
SShep