Abstract:
Device for separating a mixture consisting of at least a continuous phase (I) and of at least a conducting disperse phase (II) in the form of particles such as drops in the continuous phase, the two phases having different densities. The device includes at least two substantially cylindrical parts (1, 3) fitted into each other which delimit an annular zone (5), introducing means (6, 7) for introducing the mixture to be separated at the periphery of the outer tubular part (1), arranged so as to communicate a rotational motion to the mixture, means for applying between the two parts (1, 3) a potential difference capable of causing the particles of the disperse phase (II) to coalesce, receiving and decanting means (4), means (8, 9) for discharging the two phases (I) and (II) at least partly separated on account of the differentiated motion of the particles which have coalesced and means for establishing a circulation of the mixture.
Abstract:
The method of the invention for liquefying a natural gas consists in liquefying at least a part of this gas by expanding it with mechanical energy, whereby during this expansion the gas changes from a dense phase to a liquid phase without undergoing a phase transition.
Abstract:
A pressurized natural gas is liquefied through at least one cooling cycle, in which a mixture of cooling fluids is used, comprising at least the following steps: a) at least some of the said cooling mixture is condensed by compression and cooling, for example, using an external cooling fluid to obtain at least one vapor fraction and one liquid fraction, b) at least some of each of the vapor and liquid fractions is expanded separately to obtain a light fluid M1 comprising mostly a vapor phase and a heavy fluid M2 comprising mostly a liquid phase, c) the fluids M1 and M2 are at least partially mixed to obtain a low-temperature mixture, and d) the natural gas is liquified and undercooled under pressure by a process of heat exchange with the low-temperature mixture produced during step c).
Abstract:
A device for separating a mixture comprised of at least a continuous phase I and at least a disperse phase II, one of the phases being a light phase and the other being a heavy phase, comprising canalization means for canalizing a current of the mixture and suited for communicating thereto a helical motion along a central shaft (A) and filtration means, the motion leading to a differentiated radial displacement of the light phase and of the heavy phase under the action of the centrifugal force, during which the continuous phase I flows at least partly through said filtration means. The canalization means and filtration means are arranged to define a helical passage which decreases according to a direction of flow of the mixture through the device.
Abstract:
Device for separating a mixture consisting of at least a continuous phase (I) and of at least a conducting disperse phase (II) in the form of particles such as drops in the continuous phase, the two phases having different densities. The device includes at least two substantially cylindrical parts (1, 3) fitted into each other which delimit an annular zone (5), introducing means (6, 7) for introducing the mixture to be separated at the periphery of the outer tubular part (1), arranged so as to communicate a rotational motion to the mixture, means for applying between the two parts (1, 3) a potential difference capable of causing the particles of the disperse phase (II) to coalesce, receiving and decanting means (4), means (8, 9) for discharging the two phases (I) and (II) at least partly separated on account of the differentiated motion of the particles which have coalesced and means for establishing a circulation of the mixture.
Abstract:
For producing three effluents which are respectively rich in straight chain paraffins, in mono-branched paraffins, and in di-branched and tri-branched paraffins possibly with naphthenic and/or aromatic compounds, from C5-C8 cuts or intermediate cuts (C5-C7, C6-C8, C7-C8, C6-C7, C7 or C8), comprising paraffic and possibly naphthenic, aromatic and olefinic hydrocarbons, the separation process of the invention uses at least two separation units operating either by adsorption or by permeation. It is of particular application when coupled with a hydro-isomerization process, which selectively recycles straight chain and mono-branched paraffins, necessary with paraffins containing more than 7 carbon atoms.
Abstract:
A mixture that contains benzene, other aromatic hydrocarbons and paraffinic hydrocarbons and/or naphthenic hydrocarbons that have 5 to 10 carbon atoms undergoes distillation in a first column, producing a distillate and a residue; a phase is drawn off laterally from the first distillation column, preferably at a point on the column where the benzene content is essentially at maximum where the toluene content is low; the phase that is drawn off is sent toward a first permeation stage, which produces a permeate that is enriched with benzene and a retentate; at least a portion of said retentate is recycled toward said first distillation column; the benzene-enriched permeate from stage (3) is sent to a second distillation column, from which the purified benzene comes out at the bottom and a distillate vapor comes out at the top; the distillate vapor is condensed, and the condensed distillate is sent at least in part to a second permeation stage; in said second permeation stage, a permeate that is also enriched in benzene and a retentate are separated; the permeate is recycled to the second distillation column; and the retentate is recycled toward the inlet of the first permeation stage or directly toward the first distillation column.
Abstract:
In order to recover hydrogen from a hydrogen-rich gaseous effluent, a procedure is used that comprises: in a stage (a), bringing a hydrocarbon-rich gaseous effluent into contact with the upstream face of a hydrogen-selective membrane at a pressure P1; in a stage (b), bringing a flow containing one or more unsaturated compound(s) into contact with the downstream face of a membrane at a pressure P2, which is smaller than P1, in the presence of a catalyst, to hydrogenate at least a portion of the unsaturated compound(s) using at least a portion of the hydrogen that passes by permeation through the upstream face to the downstream face of the selective membrane; and in a stage (c), transporting a flow containing the hydrogenated compound(s) into stage (b).
Abstract:
A process is described for preparing a supported zeolite membrane constituted by a composite continuous zeolite/support layer of controlled thickness, wherein the zeolitic phase is principally localized in the pores of a porous support and optionally on the external surface thereof, the process comprising at least the formation of a precursor gel of the zeolite, bringing the gel into contact with the support and crystallizing the zeolite. The zeolite is crystallized by carrying out a thermal program comprising at least three steps in succession: a first constant temperature stage carried out at a temperature in the range 50° C. to 300° C., cooling to a temperature of strictly less than 50° C. followed by a second constant temperature stage carried out at a temperature range of 50° C. to 300° C. The prepared membrane is used in particular in processes for separating gas or separating liquids.
Abstract:
To reduce the benzene content of a hydrocarbon mixture that contains benzene and other hydrocarbons, the mixture is fed to a distillation column so as to separate an overhead distillate, a bottom residue, and a sidestream having a benzene content richer than in the distillate and in the residue; the resultant sidestream is sent to at least one permeation zone to permeate the benzene selectively and retain a retentate having a reduced content of benzene; and at least part of the retentate is recycled to at least one level in the distillation column, preferably two levels, one at above and one below the feedpoint to the column. The permeate benzene stream is optionally subjected to extractive distillation in order to increase the purity of the resultant benzene.