Use of Eductor for Liquid Disposal from Vessel

Abstract

A system for the processing of a hydrocarbon flare gas. An input gas stream contains a gas component and a liquid component. A knock-out drum separates the gas component from the liquid component. An eductor has a motive inlet, a suction inlet, and a discharge outlet. The separated liquid component is introduced into the suction inlet of the eductor. A high-pressure gas stream is introduced into the motive inlet of the eductor. The high-pressure gas stream has a pressure sufficient to draw the separated liquid component from the knock-out drum and through the discharge outlet.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of both U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 422,690, filed Nov. 16, 2016 entitled USE OF EDUCTOR FOR LIQUID DISPOSAL FROM VESSEL and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 262,629, filed Dec. 3, 2015 entitled USE OF EDUCTOR FOR LIQUID DISPOSAL FROM VESSEL, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND[0002]Field of Disclosure[0003]The disclosure relates generally to hydrocarbon processing, and more particularly, to methods and systems to remove liquids from a vessel.[0004]Description of Related Art[0005]This section is intended to introduce various aspects of the art, which may be associated with the present disclosure. This discussion is intended to provide a framework to facilitate a better understanding of particular aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that this section should be read in this light, and not necessarily as an admiss...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present disclosure provides a system for processing hydrocarbon flare gas. This system separates gas from liquid components in a knock-out drum and uses an eductor to mix the gas and a high-pressure gas stream. The separated liquid component is then introduced into the eductor, which draws it through the system. The technical effect of this system is improved separation and processing of hydrocarbon flare gas, reducing emissions and improving efficiency. Additionally, the patent aims to provide a cryogenic or cold gas processing system for flare gas. This system separates gas from liquid components and uses an eductor to mix the gas with a high-pressure gas stream. The separated liquid component is then introduced into the eductor, which draws it through the system. This system also improves separation and processing of hydrocarbon flare gas, reducing emissions and improving efficiency.

Problems solved by technology

Such liquid carry-over could cause slugging and unstable flare operation, excessive heat radiation from combustion, or even snuffing out of the flare flame which would result in not combusting the contained hydrocarbons.

One method is to insert heating coils into the system to boil off or vaporize the liquids (if all hydrocarbon with no water), but the heating coils would require maintenance and additional operating cost.

However, the flare knock-out drum normally operates at a very low pressure and usually does not provide the suction pressure, known as the net positive suction head or NPSH, for pumping.

This elevation of the flare knock-out drum, the pumps, and the piping, valves, and controls systems for these pumps represent additional cost.

The use of the blow-case vessel 110 represents a significant increase in cost and maintenance because of the amount of high-pressure valves and piping 116 needed to compensate for the difference between the operating pressures of the flare knock-out drum 104 and the blow-case vessel 110.

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