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Condensing Butane From Butane/nitrogen Stream


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#1 kaitl

kaitl

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Posted 08 December 2009 - 01:48 PM

Hello

I have a BS in ChemE, but am currently studying environmental engineering and haven't used most of my ChemE knowledge in ~5 years. Through my research I have generated a gas stream that is 30 to 40% butane (by volume) with the balance being nitrogen. I would like to produce a liquid stream that is >99% butane. It seems obvious that an increase in pressure and/or a decrease in temperature would force the butane to condense out, but I've been struggling with implementing this in the lab.

I'm wondering if the task is somewhat trivial (i.e. someone in the gas products industry would be able to do this without a second thought) or if there is some where I can look for more information on how to design the unit ops to achieve the liquefaction. I have looked in the peer reviewed literature to little avail.

Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
~kaitl

#2 joerd

joerd

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Posted 09 December 2009 - 08:50 AM

You can calculate this using Antoine parameters, but I did a quick simulation for you. The dew point curve and a curve showing where 99% of the butane is recovered are as follows:

Pressure (psia) Dew point (F) 99% recovery (F)
15 -28 -163
30 -2 -142
60 31 -115
130 66 -82
360 123 -29
890 171 33
1910 191 94

Edited by joerd, 09 December 2009 - 08:52 AM.





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