Olefin Stream Compression for Low-Fouling Separation

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional processes for separating olefin streams into other olefin component streams require multiple compressor stages, leading to fouling issues and inefficiencies, particularly due to high diene concentrations, which limit the achievable compression ratios and increase operational costs.

Innovation Solution

A two-stage compression process is implemented, with temperature and pressure control to minimize fouling, where the olefin stream is compressed to a pressure of at least 175 psia at a temperature not exceeding 260°F (127°C), and optional acid gas removal and washing steps are included to enhance separation efficiency, allowing for the separation of olefin streams with reduced diene content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multi-stage compression processes are used to separate olefin streams, then separation effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and compressor fouling increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation effectivenessVSAvoidnumber of compressor stages

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by removing dienes from the olefin stream before compression. This pre-treatment step prevents diene polymerization and fouling during subsequent compression stages, enabling the use of fewer compression stages while maintaining separation effectiveness. The diene removal is performed in advance to protect the compression system from degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the harmful component (dienes) from the olefin stream before compression. By taking out the dienes through selective removal, the patent eliminates the source of fouling and polymerization, thereby reducing the need for multiple compression stages and simplifying the overall system while maintaining separation performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If higher compression ratios are achieved, then separation efficiency is improved, but compressor fouling increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidcompressor fouling

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by removing dienes from the olefin stream before compression. This pre-treatment step prevents diene polymerization and fouling during subsequent compression stages, enabling the use of fewer compression stages while maintaining separation effectiveness. The diene removal is performed in advance to protect the compression system from degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful effect of dienes (which cause fouling and polymerization) into a beneficial separation criterion. By removing dienes in a preliminary step, the patent enables higher compression ratios to be achieved without fouling, as the diene removal creates favorable conditions for efficient compression and separation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

3Productivity

If multiple compression stages with intercooling are used, then compression effectiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompression effectivenessVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by removing dienes from the olefin stream before compression. This pre-treatment step prevents diene polymerization and fouling during subsequent compression stages, enabling the use of fewer compression stages while maintaining separation effectiveness. The diene removal is performed in advance to protect the compression system from degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the harmful component (dienes) from the olefin stream before compression. By taking out the dienes through selective removal, the patent eliminates the source of fouling and polymerization, thereby reducing the need for multiple compression stages and simplifying the overall system while maintaining separation performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach reduces compressor fouling, minimizes the number of compression stages, and effectively separates olefin streams into light and heavy components with high purity, improving operational efficiency and reducing costs.

Implementation Method 1

The olefin stream is compressed in a compressor system having a first stage and a second stage to obtain a compressed olefin stream

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

the compressed olefin stream is separated into at least two olefin streams

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFractionation: Fractionation

Data Source

PatentUS20100292521A1Separating olefin streams

Publication Date: 2010.11.18 LUMMUS TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

This invention pertains to separating an olefin stream into at least two olefin streams. The olefin stream that is to be separated is low in diene composition, which allows the olefin stream to be compressed at a relatively high temperature without causing fouling problems in the compressor system. The invention is particularly relevant to separating olefins obtained from an oxygen to olefins unit.