Open loop for feedstock delivery and refrigeration

Abstract

A chemical manufacturing process includes an open loop that provides both feedstock delivery and refrigeration, comprising: conveying a hydrocarbon feedstock 200 (e.g., propane or propylene) in a liquid phase from a feedstock accumulator 204 to a shell side of a heat exchanger 216, 218, 220 and vaporizing the feedstock in the heat exchanger. Then collecting the feedstock in a vapor phase from the heat exchanger in an economizer 300; compressing and condensing a first portion of the feedstock in the vapor phase from the economizer in a compressor 500; and recycling the feedstock in the liquid phase from the compressor to the feedstock accumulator, which closes the refrigeration loop, and a second portion of the feedstock in the vapor phase is directed from the economizer to a reactor 106.

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