MODELING OF COUNTERCURRENT PARTIAL CONDENSERS FOR LIGHT-HYDROCARBON STREAMS CONTAINING HYDROGEN

A general model is described for the condensation of gaseous mixtures containing a non-condensing species. The model is applied to the count ercurrent partial condensation of light hydrocarbons (methane, ethylen e, ethane and propylene) in the presence of hydrogen. Calculations are performed to study the effect of H-2 upon the equilibrium constants o f the other components, and also, to determine the extent to which the physical solubility of H-2 may affect the process. The simulations al so demonstrate the sensitivity of the system to certain operating and geometric parameters and show the relative importance of these paramet ers. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.