Application of DHX process in expansion refrigeration light hydrocarbon recovery unit

The 450×10³ m³/d light hydrocarbon recovery unit of Jiangyou Light Hydrocarbon Plant is designed to recover C₃H₈, C₄H₁₀, C₅H₁₂ and C₆⁺ light hydrocarbon components in the sulfur-free natural gas of the Zhongba gas field. The production technology was a single-stage expansion refrigeration (ISS) process before the year of 2017. Light hydrocarbon recovery unit was retrofitted and changed to be direct heat exchange(DHX) process based on the original installation in 2017. After technological innovation, the C₃ yield of the light hydrocarbon recovery unit has increased from 61.87% to 83.46%, which is about 3 tons of liquefied petroleum gas per day, and the annual benefit is about 4 Million yuan.