Roben, Mfg., Inc. specializes in the custom engineering and fabrication of demethanizers for chemical, fine chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, food and beverage, defense, and power-generation industries. Every project is designed to ASME Section VIII Division 1 (with optional Division 2), is National Board registered, complies with the European Pressure Equipment Directive (PED 2014/68/EU) for CE marking, and is registered under the Canadian Registration Number (CRN) system for all Canadian provinces.
What Demethanizers Are
A demethanizer is a cryogenic distillation column used to separate methane from heavier hydrocarbons (ethane, propane, butane, and heavier) in natural gas processing and ethylene plants. The column operates at low temperatures (typically –150 °F to –250 °F) and moderate-to-high pressures, producing a methane-rich overhead product (sales gas or fuel) and a C2+ NGL bottoms stream.
Why Demethanizers Matter
Demethanizers are the heart of cryogenic gas plants and ethylene production. They recover ethane and heavier products from natural gas streams (turboexpander plants) and remove methane upstream of the C2 splitter in olefin plants. Cold-service metallurgy, insulation systems, and structural design at cryogenic temperatures make these columns highly specialized.
Demethanizers — Specifications and Capabilities
- Operating temperature: –150 °F to –250 °F (–101 °C to –157 °C)
- Materials: Low-temperature carbon steel (LF2, A350 LF2), 304/304L stainless steel, 9% nickel steel for the coldest sections
- Diameters: From 4 in. up to 470 in.
- Pressure: Moderate to high pressure (typically 200–600 psig)
- Insulation: Cold-service polyurethane foam, perlite, or vacuum-insulated where required
Certifications and Codes
- ASME Section VIII Division 1 — U-stamp
- ASME Section VIII Division 2 — available on request
- National Board registration — R-stamp
- PED 2014/68/EU — CE marking with Notified Body coordination
- CRN — registered for all Canadian provinces
- NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 — sour-service compliance
- AWS D1.1 / ASME Section IX — qualified welding procedures and welders
Frequently Asked Questions About Demethanizers
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