| abstract |
Process for the removal of methane from a hydrocarbon feed containing ethylene, methane and higher boiling hydrocarbons with minimum loss of ethylene. Methane is separated overhead from the feed in a separation zone at a first lower pressure; a first portion of this overhead vapor is expanded through an expansion motor producing an energy output, a second portion of the overhead vapor is compressed to a second pressure greater than the first pressure in a compressor driven by the motor output. The compressed vapor portion is then cooled to condense the major portion of the methane and the condensed methane is returned to the separation zone as reflux and recovering ethylene as bottoms from the separation zone. The methane vapor is recovered as fuel gas. |