A coalescing filter and triethylene glycol dehydration apparatus

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of natural gas dehydration, and discloses a coalescence filter and a triethylene glycol dehydration device, wherein the coalescence filter comprises a shell, a gas blocking plate, a filter element and a flow guide plate; the inside of the shell has a gas containing cavity; the shell is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet; the gas blocking plate is arranged in the gas containing cavity and divides the gas containing cavity into a first cavity and a second cavity located above the first cavity; the gas blocking plate is provided with a communication port communicating the first cavity and the second cavity; the air inlet is arranged in communication with the first cavity; the air outlet is arranged in communication with the second cavity; the filter element is located in the second cavity and is used for blocking water; the diameter of the central hole gradually increases from bottom to top; the flow guide plate is arranged in the central hole; the flow guide plate is configured to guide the gas entering the central hole, so that part of the gas flows along the radial direction of the central hole, and the remaining part of the gas flows along the axial direction of the central hole, thereby improving the dehydration effect of the coalescence filter on natural gas.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the technical field of natural gas dehydration, specifically relating to a coalescing filter and a triethylene glycol dehydration device. Background Technology

[0002] Natural gas dehydration is the process of removing water from natural gas. It is necessary because water in natural gas can cause pipeline corrosion, hydrate blockage, and increased gas transmission power consumption. Commonly used dehydration methods include cooling dehydration, absorption dehydration, adsorption dehydration, and membrane separation technology dehydration. Because absorption dehydration has the advantages of strong dehydration capacity for natural gas, good thermal stability, no chemical reaction during dehydration, and easy regeneration, it is the most common method.

[0003] Absorption dehydration utilizes the strong affinity of triethylene glycol (TEG) for water, causing it to "absorb" water molecules from natural gas into the liquid phase upon contact. The water-rich TEG is then transported to a regeneration tower for regeneration, yielding water-lean TEG. This water-lean TEG is then transported back to an absorption tower to absorb water molecules from the natural gas flowing through it. During the regeneration process, the TEG needs to be heated to its boiling point, causing water molecules to separate from the TEG as steam. However, the large volume of TEG regeneration leads to high regeneration costs, thus increasing the operating cost of the TEG dehydration unit.

[0004] To reduce the operating cost of triethylene glycol (TED) dehydration units, one approach is to pre-treat natural gas using a coalescing filter to remove liquid water. The pre-treated natural gas is then passed into an absorption tower where TED is used to absorb water molecules, reducing the TED absorption load and thus the amount of TED regeneration required, thereby lowering the operating cost of the TED dehydration unit. However, existing coalescing filters have excessively high outlet flow rates, causing natural gas to easily re-entrain liquid droplets as it exits the filter, thus affecting the dehydration effect of the coalescing filter. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a coalescing filter to improve the dehydration effect of coalescing filters on natural gas.

[0006] The technical solution adopted in this application is as follows:

[0007] A coalescing filter, comprising:

[0008] The housing has an internal air chamber and is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet;

[0009] An air baffle plate is disposed in the air-containing cavity and divides the air-containing cavity into a first cavity and a second cavity located above the first cavity. The air baffle plate is provided with a communication port connecting the first cavity and the second cavity. The air inlet is connected to the first cavity and the air outlet is connected to the second cavity.

[0010] A filter element, located in the second cavity and used to block water, has a central hole inside that is opposite to the communication port, and the diameter of the central hole is gradually increased from bottom to top;

[0011] A flow guide plate is disposed in the central hole and configured to guide the gas entering the central hole so that a portion of the gas flows radially along the central hole and the remaining portion of the gas flows axially along the central hole.

[0012] By adopting the above technical solution, when using the coalescing filter of this application to pretreat natural gas, the natural gas is transported to the first chamber through the inlet, so that after entering the first chamber, the natural gas enters the second chamber through the connecting port. Since the central hole inside the filter element is opposite to the connecting port, the natural gas passes through the connecting port and directly enters the central hole. Since the guide plate is located in the central hole, part of the natural gas entering the central hole flows radially along the central hole, and the remaining part of the natural gas moves axially along the central hole. The natural gas flowing radially along the central hole will pass through the filter element, so that the filter element can block droplets, impurities and other particles in the natural gas. At the same time, the droplets carried in the natural gas flowing radially along the central hole will collide with the droplets falling along the central hole under the action of gravity, so that the liquid carried in the natural gas and the droplets falling under the action of gravity combine to form large droplets, thereby increasing the difficulty of natural gas to carry droplets again, thereby improving the filtration effect of the coalescing filter on natural gas, and reducing the operating cost of the triethylene glycol dehydration device equipped with the coalescing filter of this application.

[0013] Meanwhile, because the diameter of the central hole gradually increases from bottom to top, it can, on the one hand, increase the area of ​​the gas outlet of the filter element, thereby reducing the flow velocity of natural gas when it is discharged through the gas outlet of the filter element. This avoids the situation where liquid droplets are easily entrained again due to the high flow velocity of natural gas, thus further improving the dehydration effect of natural gas. On the other hand, it can also allow the liquid droplets blocked by the filter element to gather together in a shorter time, thereby increasing the volume of the liquid droplets dripping along the pore wall of the central hole under the action of gravity. This further increases the difficulty of natural gas entraining liquid droplets again, thus further improving the dehydration effect of natural gas. Furthermore, it can shorten the distance between the upper part of the filter element and the inner wall of the shell, making it easier for the gathered liquid droplets to transfer to the inner wall of the shell, so that some of the liquid droplets drip along the inner wall of the shell, thereby further preventing the natural gas from entraining liquid droplets again, and thus further improving the dehydration effect of the coalescing filter on natural gas.

[0014] Furthermore, since the baffle is configured to guide the gas entering the central hole, so that some of the gas flows radially along the central hole and the remaining gas flows axially along the central hole, the flow path of natural gas in the second chamber is increased, thereby reducing the kinetic potential energy of natural gas when it is discharged through the outlet end of the filter element. This further reduces the flow velocity of natural gas when it is discharged through the outlet end of the filter element, thereby further preventing the natural gas from carrying droplets again, and thus further improving the filtration efficiency of coalescing filter for natural gas.

[0015] Optionally, the guide plate is spirally arranged along the axial direction of the central hole to form a spiral channel inside the central hole.

[0016] By adopting the above technical solution, since the guide plate is spirally arranged along the axial direction of the central hole, a spiral channel is formed inside the central hole. This allows natural gas to flow along the spiral channel after entering the central hole. Consequently, a portion of the natural gas entering the central hole tends to flow radially along the central hole, allowing it to pass through the filter element and reach the outside. The remaining natural gas tends to flow axially along the central hole, allowing it to flow radially under the action of the guide plate. The remaining natural gas then flows axially along the central hole, and this cycle continues until all the natural gas is discharged from the spiral channel. By setting the guide plate spirally along the axial direction of the central hole, not only can partial... Natural gas flows radially through the central orifice, and this radial flow also tends to move upwards, increasing the collision effect between droplets in the radially flowing natural gas and droplets dripping axially along the central orifice. This maximizes droplet volume and further prevents the natural gas from entraining droplets again, thus improving the filtration efficiency of the coalescing filter. Furthermore, it increases the flow path of natural gas in the second chamber, further increasing the energy consumption of the natural gas and reducing the flow velocity of the natural gas exiting the filter element. This further prevents the natural gas from entraining droplets again, further improving the filtration efficiency of the coalescing filter.

[0017] Optionally, the pitch of the guide plate gradually increases from bottom to top, and the top of the filter element is provided with a sealing plate for sealing the top opening of the central hole.

[0018] By adopting the above technical solution, the pitch of the guide plate gradually increases from bottom to top, which in turn increases the volume per unit length of the spiral channel along the central hole axial direction. This reduces the resistance when natural gas flows spirally upward along the spiral channel, resulting in a more uniform distribution of natural gas along the central hole axial direction. This ensures that the wear of the filter element is as consistent as possible from bottom to top, thereby extending the service life of the filter element. Furthermore, the top of the filter element is equipped with a sealing plate to block the top orifice of the central hole. This sealing plate can then block the natural gas about to flow out of the top orifice of the central hole, causing the natural gas to change its flow direction and flow out from the side of the filter element. This ensures that all the natural gas entering the central hole flows through the filter element, allowing the filter element to filter all the natural gas entering the central hole, further improving the dehydration effect of the coalescing filter on natural gas.

[0019] Optionally, the filter element includes a support frame, a first water filter layer disposed outside the support frame, and a second water filter layer disposed outside the first water filter layer, wherein the diameter of the support frame gradually increases from bottom to top.

[0020] By adopting the above technical solution, since the filter element includes a support frame, a first water filter layer disposed outside the support frame, and a second water filter layer disposed outside the first water filter layer, the support frame can be used to support the first and second water filter layers to increase their stability. On the other hand, the first and second water filter layers can also be used to block droplets and impurities in the natural gas to increase the number of times droplets and impurities in the natural gas are blocked, thereby further improving the dehydration effect of the coalescing filter on natural gas.

[0021] Optionally, the first water filter layer is composed of hydrophobic fibers wound around the outside of the support frame, and the winding density of the hydrophobic fibers is gradually reduced from bottom to top.

[0022] By adopting the above technical solution, since the winding density of the hydrophobic fiber gradually decreases from bottom to top, it can ensure the blocking effect of the first water filter layer on natural gas, thereby ensuring the dehydration effect of the coalescing filter on natural gas. On the other hand, it can reduce the pressure drop of natural gas at the end of the filter element away from the connection port. At the same time, it can also use natural gas to guide droplets to the inner wall of the shell, so that the droplets drip along the inside of the shell, thereby further reducing the occurrence of natural gas entraining droplets again, and thus further improving the dehydration effect of the coalescing filter on natural gas.

[0023] Optionally, the second filter layer is composed of folded filter material sleeved on the outside of the first filter layer, and the fold depth of the folded filter material gradually increases from bottom to top.

[0024] By adopting the above technical solution, since the second filter layer is composed of folded filter material sleeved on the outside of the first filter layer, and the fold depth of the folded filter material gradually increases from bottom to top, it can ensure the structural strength of the lower second filter layer to ensure the support effect of the lower second filter layer on the upper second filter layer, thereby ensuring the stability of the second filter layer. On the other hand, it can also increase the filtration area of ​​the upper second filter layer on natural gas to further improve the dehydration effect of the coalescing filter on natural gas.

[0025] Optionally, the coalescing filter further includes a honeycomb rectifier located in the second cavity, the honeycomb rectifier being disposed at the air outlet.

[0026] By adopting the above technical solution, since the honeycomb rectifier is located at the gas outlet, the natural gas about to enter the gas outlet can first enter the honeycomb rectifier, so that the natural gas entering the honeycomb rectifier is divided into multiple streams before entering the gas outlet. This reduces the kinetic potential energy of the natural gas entering the gas outlet, thereby reducing the flow rate of the natural gas entering the gas outlet. This further avoids the natural gas from carrying liquid droplets again, thereby further improving the filtration effect of the coalescing filter on natural gas.

[0027] This application also provides a triethylene glycol dehydration device to reduce the operating cost of the triethylene glycol dehydration device.

[0028] A triethylene glycol dehydration device includes an absorption tower, a regeneration tower, a reboiler, a first heat exchanger, a circulating pump, a flash tank, and a coalescing filter as described above. The outlet of the coalescing filter is connected to the feed gas inlet of the absorption tower. The absorbent outlet of the absorption tower is connected to the inlet of the condenser tube of the regeneration tower. The outlet of the condenser tube is connected to a channel of the first heat exchanger and to the flash tank. The flash tank is connected to the absorbent inlet of the regeneration tower. The reboiler is located at the bottom of the regeneration tower and is connected to the regeneration tower. The absorbent outlet of the reboiler is connected to another channel of the first heat exchanger and to the inlet of the circulating pump. The outlet of the circulating pump is connected to the absorbent inlet of the absorption tower.

[0029] By adopting the above technical solution, when using the triethylene glycol dehydration device of this application, natural gas is first introduced into a coalescing filter so that the coalescing filter pre-dehydrates the natural gas. After pre-dehydration, the natural gas enters an absorption tower so that the triethylene glycol in the absorption tower can reabsorb the moisture in the natural gas. Then, the natural gas whose moisture has been absorbed by the triethylene glycol is discharged through the raw gas outlet of the absorption tower to complete the dehydration process of the natural gas.

[0030] During the regeneration of water-rich triethylene glycol, the water-rich triethylene glycol in the absorption tower enters the condenser of the regeneration tower through the absorbent outlet of the absorption tower. Then, the water-rich triethylene glycol enters the first heat exchanger to exchange heat with the lean triethylene glycol flowing out of the reboiler, thereby raising the temperature of the water-rich triethylene glycol. The heated water-rich triethylene glycol then enters the flash tank, where it undergoes flash evaporation to separate flash vapor and condensate. The flashed water-rich triethylene glycol then flows out from the bottom of the flash tank and enters the regeneration tower, subsequently entering the reboiler to obtain lean triethylene glycol. The lean triethylene glycol then flows through the first heat exchanger to exchange heat with the water-rich triethylene glycol before flowing back to the absorption tower via the circulating pump to absorb moisture from the natural gas.

[0031] Because the triethylene glycol dehydration device in this application uses the aforementioned coalescing filter, the burden on the absorption tower for natural gas moisture absorption is reduced, thereby reducing the amount of triethylene glycol to be recycled and regenerated, thus reducing the regeneration cost of triethylene glycol, and consequently reducing the operating cost of the triethylene glycol dehydration device.

[0032] Furthermore, since the first heat exchanger can exchange heat between water-rich triethylene glycol and water-poor triethylene glycol, it can then use the residual heat of the water-poor triethylene glycol to heat the water-rich triethylene glycol, thereby reducing the temperature that the reboiler needs to raise for the water-rich triethylene glycol, thus reducing the energy consumption of the reboiler, and further reducing the operating cost of the triethylene glycol dehydration unit.

[0033] Optionally, the first heat exchanger is provided in two parts, both of which are microchannel heat exchangers. One of the first heat exchangers is located between the regeneration tower and the flash tank, and the other first heat exchanger is located between the flash tank and the regeneration tower. Each of the first heat exchangers is provided with a dual filter upstream.

[0034] By adopting the above technical solution, since there are two first heat exchangers—one located between the regeneration tower and the flash tank, and the other between the flash tank and the regeneration tower—the lean triethylene glycol exiting the reboiler can be used to heat the rich triethylene glycol twice. This improves the utilization rate of the waste heat from the lean triethylene glycol and increases the temperature of the rich triethylene glycol entering the regeneration tower, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the reboiler and further reducing the operating cost of the triethylene glycol dehydration unit. Furthermore, because the first heat exchanger is a microchannel heat exchanger, the heat exchange efficiency between the lean and rich triethylene glycol is increased, further improving the utilization rate of the waste heat from the lean triethylene glycol and further reducing the heating load of the reboiler, thus further reducing the operating cost of the triethylene glycol dehydration unit. Furthermore, since a dual filter is installed upstream of the first heat exchanger, the water-rich triethylene glycol can be filtered using the dual filter to avoid impurities in the water-rich triethylene glycol that could cause the microchannel heat exchanger to become clogged. This ensures the heat exchange efficiency of the microchannel heat exchanger for both water-rich and water-poor triethylene glycol and reduces the frequency of cleaning the microchannel heat exchanger, thereby further reducing the operating cost of the triethylene glycol dehydration device.

[0035] Optionally, the triethylene glycol dehydration device further includes an energy storage module for powering the circulating pump, a wind turbine generator for charging the energy storage module, and a solar generator for charging the energy storage module.

[0036] By adopting the above technical solution, since the triethylene glycol dehydration device also includes an energy storage module for powering the circulating pump, a wind turbine generator for charging the energy storage module, and a solar generator for charging the energy storage module, it is possible to use the wind turbine generator and the solar generator to charge the energy storage module, thereby using the energy storage module to power the circulating pump, thus further reducing the operating cost of the triethylene glycol dehydration device. On the other hand, it is also possible to ensure that the energy storage module is always in a charged state to ensure the normal operation of the circulating pump, thereby ensuring the stable operation of the triethylene glycol dehydration device.

[0037] Optionally, the triethylene glycol dehydration device further includes a support rod, the wind turbine generator set is mounted on the top of the support rod, the support rod is provided with a tracking bracket located at the bottom of the wind turbine generator set, the solar generator set is mounted on the tracking bracket, and the tracking bracket can adjust the solar generator set according to the angle of sunlight.

[0038] By adopting the above technical solution, since the wind turbine generator is located at the top of the support rod, the tracking bracket is located at the bottom of the wind turbine generator, and the solar generator is located on the tracking bracket, the wind turbine generator and the solar generator can be integrated together to improve the structural compactness of the triethylene glycol dehydration device. On the other hand, the solar generator can automatically adjust according to the angle of the sun's irradiation to ensure the power generation efficiency of the solar generator, thereby further ensuring the working stability of the triethylene glycol dehydration device.

[0039] Due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the beneficial effects achieved by this application are as follows:

[0040] 1. The coalescing filter of this application includes a housing, an air baffle plate, a filter element, and a guide plate. The housing has an internal air-containing cavity, and the housing is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet. The air baffle plate is disposed in the air-containing cavity and divides the air-containing cavity into a first cavity and a second cavity located above the first cavity. The air baffle plate is provided with a communication port connecting the first cavity and the second cavity. The air inlet is connected to the first cavity, and the air outlet is connected to the second cavity. The filter element is located in the second cavity and is used to block water. The filter element has a central hole opposite to the communication port. The diameter of the central hole gradually increases from bottom to top. The guide plate is disposed in the central hole. Furthermore, the guide plate is configured to guide the gas entering the central hole, so that part of the gas flows radially along the central hole and the remaining part flows axially along the central hole. This causes the droplets carried in the natural gas flowing radially along the central hole to collide with the droplets dripping axially along the central hole under the action of gravity. This causes the liquid carried in the natural gas to combine with the droplets dripping under the action of gravity to form large droplets, thereby increasing the difficulty for the natural gas to carry droplets again. This improves the filtration effect of the coalescing filter on natural gas and reduces the operating cost of the triethylene glycol dehydration device equipped with the coalescing filter of this application.

[0041] 2. In this application, the guide plate is spirally arranged along the axial direction of the central hole to form a spiral channel inside the central hole. On the one hand, this not only allows some natural gas to flow radially in the central hole, but also gives the natural gas flowing radially in the central hole an upward tendency, thereby increasing the collision effect between the droplets in the natural gas flowing radially in the central hole and the droplets dripping axially in the central hole. This maximizes the droplet volume and further prevents the natural gas from entraining droplets again, thus further improving the filtration effect of the coalescing filter on natural gas. On the other hand, it also further increases the flow path of natural gas in the second chamber, thereby further increasing the kinetic energy consumption of natural gas and further reducing the flow velocity of natural gas when it is discharged from the outlet of the filter element, further preventing the natural gas from entraining droplets again, and further improving the filtration effect of the coalescing filter on natural gas.

[0042] 3. In this application, the pitch of the guide plate gradually increases from bottom to top, thereby increasing the unit volume of the spiral channel from bottom to top. This reduces the resistance when natural gas flows upward along the spiral channel, resulting in a more uniform distribution of natural gas along the axial direction of the central hole. This ensures that the wear of the filter element is as consistent as possible from bottom to top, thus extending the service life of the filter element. The top of the filter element is equipped with a sealing plate to block the top orifice of the central hole. This sealing plate can block the natural gas about to flow out of the top orifice of the central hole, causing the natural gas to change its flow direction and flow out from the side of the filter element. This ensures that all the natural gas entering the central hole flows through the filter element, allowing the filter element to filter all the natural gas entering the central hole, further improving the dehydration effect of the coalescing filter on natural gas. Attached Figure Description

[0043] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this application and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments and are used to explain this application, but do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings:

[0044] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the coalescing filter according to one embodiment of the present application, where the dotted line represents the first filter layer;

[0045] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the coalescing filter described in another embodiment of this application, where the dotted line represents the first filter layer;

[0046] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the coalescing filter described in another embodiment of this application, where the dotted line represents the first filter layer;

[0047] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the triethylene glycol dehydration device described in one embodiment of this application.

[0048] Figure label:

[0049] 1. Coalescing filter; 11. Housing; 111. Honeycomb rectifier; 12. Air baffle; 121. Connecting port; 13. Filter element; 131. Support frame; 132. First water filter layer; 133. Second water filter layer; 14. Guide plate; 141. Sealing plate; 142. First guide plate; 143. Second guide plate; 144. Air passage hole; 2. Absorption tower; 21. Humidity detector; 3. Regeneration tower; 31. Condenser; 4. Reboiler; 5. First heat exchanger; 51. Dual filter; 6. Circulating pump; 7. Flash tank; 8. Second heat exchanger; 9. Energy storage module; 91. Wind turbine generator set; 92. Solar generator set; 93. Support rod; 94. Tracking bracket; 95. Programmable logic controller. Detailed Implementation

[0050] To more clearly illustrate the overall concept of this application, a detailed explanation is provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0051] Many specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a full understanding of this application. However, this application may also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0052] Furthermore, it should be understood in the description of this application that the terms "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0053] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection, an electrical connection, or a communication connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application according to the specific circumstances.

[0054] In this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the "above" or "below" of the second feature can mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. In the description of this specification, references to terms such as "implementation," "example," "a particular embodiment," "example," or "specific example," etc., indicate that the specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0055] Reference Figures 1 to 3A coalescing filter is disclosed, comprising a housing 11, an air baffle plate 12, a filter element 13, and a guide plate 14. The housing 11 has an internal air-bearing cavity and is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet. The air baffle plate 12 is disposed in the air-bearing cavity and divides the air-bearing cavity into a first cavity and a second cavity located above the first cavity. The air baffle plate 12 is provided with a connecting port 121 connecting the first cavity and the second cavity. The air inlet is connected to the first cavity, and the air outlet is connected to the second cavity. The filter element 13 is located in the second cavity and is used to block water. The filter element 13 has a central hole opposite to the connecting port 121, and the diameter of the central hole gradually increases from bottom to top. The guide plate 14 is disposed in the central hole and is configured to guide the gas entering the central hole so that part of the gas flows radially along the central hole, and the remaining part of the gas flows axially along the central hole.

[0056] It is understood that the central axis of the central hole is collinear with the central axis of the connecting port 121, and the bottom diameter of the central hole is less than or equal to the diameter of the connecting port 121. When natural gas passes through the filter element 13, the filter element 13 can block the droplets in the natural gas, so that the gas passes through the filter element 13 while the droplets are intercepted, thereby achieving the dehydration of the natural gas.

[0057] When using the coalescing filter 1 of this application to pretreat natural gas, the natural gas is delivered to the first chamber through the inlet, so that after entering the first chamber, the natural gas enters the second chamber through the connecting port 121. Since the central hole inside the filter element 13 is opposite to the connecting port 121, the natural gas passes through the connecting port 121 and directly enters the central hole. Since the guide plate 14 is located in the central hole, part of the natural gas entering the central hole flows radially along the central hole, while the remaining natural gas moves axially along the central hole and radially along the central hole. The flowing natural gas passes through the filter element 13, which blocks droplets, impurities, and other particles in the natural gas. At the same time, droplets carried in the natural gas flowing radially along the central hole collide with droplets falling axially along the central hole under the action of gravity. This causes the liquid carried in the natural gas to combine with the droplets falling under the action of gravity to form larger droplets, increasing the difficulty for the natural gas to carry droplets again. This improves the filtration effect of the coalescing filter 1 on natural gas and reduces the operating cost of the triethylene glycol dehydration device equipped with the coalescing filter 1 of this application.

[0058] Meanwhile, because the diameter of the central hole gradually increases from bottom to top, firstly, it increases the area of ​​the gas outlet of the filter element 13, thereby reducing the flow velocity of natural gas as it exits through the outlet of the filter element 13. This prevents the natural gas from easily entraining droplets again due to its high flow velocity, thus further improving the dehydration effect on the natural gas. Secondly, it allows the droplets blocked by the filter element 13 to converge together in a shorter time, increasing the volume of droplets dripping along the pore wall of the central hole under gravity. This further increases the difficulty of natural gas entraining droplets again, and allows the liquid to flow to the bottom of the filter element 13 more quickly. The filter element 13 enters the first cavity through the connecting port 121 to further improve the dehydration effect on natural gas. Thirdly, it can shorten the distance between the upper part of the filter element 13 and the inner wall of the housing 11, so that the collected droplets can be more easily transferred to the inner wall of the housing 11, and some droplets can drip down along the inner wall of the housing 11, thereby further preventing the natural gas from carrying droplets again, and further improving the dehydration effect of the coalescing filter 1 on natural gas. Fourthly, it can also increase the dirt holding space inside the filter element 13 to extend the service life of the filter element 13, reduce the replacement frequency of the filter element 13, and reduce the operating cost of the coalescing filter 1.

[0059] Furthermore, since the guide plate 14 is configured to guide the gas entering the central hole, so that some of the gas flows radially along the central hole and the remaining gas flows axially along the central hole, the flow path of natural gas in the second cavity is increased, thereby reducing the kinetic potential energy of natural gas when it is discharged through the outlet end of the filter element 13, thereby further reducing the flow velocity of natural gas when it is discharged through the outlet end of the filter element 13, so as to further avoid the occurrence of natural gas entraining droplets again, and thus further improve the filtration efficiency of coalescing filter 1 for natural gas.

[0060] The better one is to refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The central axis of the connecting port 121 is collinear with the central axis of the housing 11, so that the central axis of the filter element 13 is collinear with the central axis of the housing 11, thereby increasing the stability of the coalescing filter 1.

[0061] This application does not impose specific limitations on the structure of the guide plate 14, which can adopt any of the following embodiments:

[0062] Implementation Method 1, in this implementation method, refer to Figure 1 The guide plate 14 is spirally arranged along the axial direction of the central hole so that a spiral channel is formed inside the central hole.

[0063] It is understandable that the guide plate 14 is formed by spiral bending of the plate, and the outer contour of the guide plate 14 is adapted to the contour of the hole wall of the central hole.

[0064] Because the guide plate 14 is spirally arranged along the axial direction of the central hole, a spiral channel is formed inside the central hole. After the natural gas enters the central hole, it flows along the spiral channel. Consequently, some of the natural gas entering the central hole tends to flow radially along the central hole, so that this part of the natural gas passes through the filter element 13 and moves to the outside of the filter element 13. The remaining part of the natural gas tends to flow axially along the central hole, so that under the action of the guide plate 14, some of the natural gas flows radially along the central hole, and the remaining part of the natural gas flows axially along the central hole. This cycle is repeated until all the natural gas is discharged from the spiral channel.

[0065] By setting the guide plate 14 in a spiral arrangement along the axial direction of the central hole, not only can some natural gas flow radially in the central hole, but the natural gas flowing radially along the central hole also tends to move upward. This increases the collision effect between the droplets in the natural gas flowing radially along the central hole and the droplets dripping axially along the central hole, thereby maximizing the droplet volume and further preventing the natural gas from entraining droplets again. This further improves the filtration effect of the coalescing filter 1 on natural gas. On the other hand, it also increases the flow path of natural gas in the second chamber, further increasing the kinetic energy consumption of natural gas. This further reduces the flow velocity of natural gas when it is discharged from the outlet of the filter element 13, further preventing the natural gas from entraining droplets again, and further improving the filtration effect of the coalescing filter 1 on natural gas.

[0066] Furthermore, the pitch of the guide plate 14 gradually increases from bottom to top, and the top of the filter element 13 is provided with a sealing plate 141 for sealing the top opening of the central hole.

[0067] Because the pitch of the guide plate 14 gradually increases from bottom to top, the volume per unit length of the spiral channel in the central hole gradually increases from bottom to top, thereby reducing the resistance when natural gas flows spirally upward along the spiral channel. This makes the natural gas more evenly distributed in the central hole, so that the wear of the filter element 13 is as consistent as possible from bottom to top, thus extending the service life of the filter element 13.

[0068] Furthermore, since the top of the filter element 13 is provided with a sealing plate 141 for sealing the top opening of the central hole, the sealing plate 141 can block the natural gas that is about to flow out from the top opening of the central hole, so that the natural gas changes its flow direction and flows out from the side of the filter element 13. This allows all the natural gas entering the central hole to flow through the filter element 13, so that the filter element 13 can filter all the natural gas entering the central hole, thereby further improving the dehydration effect of the coalescing filter 1 on natural gas.

[0069] Preferably, the sealing plate 141 is located on top of the filter element 13 and is used to seal the top port of the central hole to ensure the utilization rate of the filter element 13.

[0070] Implementation Method Two: In this implementation method, refer to... Figure 2 The guide plate 14 includes a first guide plate 142 and a second guide plate 143 located at the bottom of the first guide plate 142. The second guide plate 143 is provided with an air passage 144.

[0071] It is understood that the first guide plate 142 is located on top of the filter element 13 and can seal the top opening of the central hole. Both the first guide plate 142 and the second guide plate 143 are set at an angle to the central axis of the central hole.

[0072] After natural gas enters the central hole, the second guide plate 143 blocks part of the natural gas, causing it to flow back towards the connecting port 121 under the obstruction of the second guide plate 143. The natural gas flowing towards the connecting port 121 will collide with the natural gas that subsequently enters the central hole through the connecting port 121, causing the reversed natural gas to change its flow direction again under the action of the natural gas that subsequently enters the central hole and flow radially along the central hole. This part of the natural gas passes through the filter element 13 radially upwards in the central hole, while the remaining natural gas directly... Natural gas flows through the air passage 144 along the axial direction of the central hole. Natural gas flowing to the position of the first guide plate 142 is blocked by the first guide plate 142, causing this part of natural gas to turn back and flow towards the position of the second guide plate 143. Natural gas flowing towards the second guide plate 143 will collide with the natural gas passing through the air passage 144, causing the natural gas flowing towards the second guide plate 143 to change its flow direction again and flow radially along the central hole. Finally, this part of natural gas passes radially upward through the filter element 13 to complete the dehydration of natural gas using the filter element 13.

[0073] In summary, by setting the guide plate 14 as the first guide plate 142 and the second guide plate 143, and providing the air passage hole 144 on the second guide plate 143, not only can part of the natural gas flow axially in the central hole and the remaining part of the natural gas flow radially in the central hole, but also when the natural gas flowing back collidees with the natural gas entering the central hole later, the droplets in the natural gas flowing back collide with the droplets in the natural gas entering the central hole later, so that the droplets entrained in the natural gas form large droplets, thereby increasing the dehydration effect of the filter element 13 on the natural gas, and further improving the dehydration effect of the coalescing filter 1 on the natural gas.

[0074] Preferably, the first guide plate 142 and the second guide plate 143 are both arranged perpendicular to the central axis of the central hole to improve the blocking effect of the first guide plate 142 and the second guide plate 143 on natural gas.

[0075] Furthermore, refer to Figure 2 Multiple second guide plates 143 are arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the central hole. Each second guide plate 143 is provided with an air passage hole 144. The air passage holes 144 on two adjacent second guide plates 143 are staggered in the axial direction of the central hole.

[0076] It is understandable that the projections of the air passage holes 144 on the two adjacent second guide plates 143 in the axial direction of the central hole are misaligned, that is, the projections of the air passage holes 144 on the two adjacent second guide plates 143 in the axial direction of the central hole do not overlap.

[0077] Because multiple second guide plates 143 are spaced apart along the axial direction of the central hole, each second guide plate 143 is provided with an air passage hole 144, and the air passage holes 144 on adjacent second guide plates 143 are staggered in the axial direction of the central hole, the multiple second guide plates 143 can block the natural gas multiple times, so that the natural gas entering the central hole flows radially along the central hole in multiple stages. This makes the axial wear of the filter element 13 as consistent as possible, ensuring the dehydration effect of the filter element 13 on the natural gas and ensuring the service life of the filter element 13. On the other hand, it can also ensure... The second guide plate 143 is designed to block natural gas, preventing natural gas from directly passing through the air passage 144 due to the axial alignment of the air passage 144 on two adjacent second guide plates 143. This further ensures that the wear of the filter element 13 is kept as consistent as possible in the axial direction. On the other hand, it can further reduce the kinetic potential energy of natural gas flowing to the outside of the filter element 13, thereby further reducing the flow velocity of natural gas when passing through the filter element 13. This further prevents the re-entrainment of liquid droplets due to the high flow velocity of natural gas, thereby further improving the dehydration effect of the coalescing filter 1 on natural gas.

[0078] Furthermore, the area of ​​the air passages 144 on the multiple second guide plates 143 gradually increases from bottom to top.

[0079] It is understandable that the area of ​​the air passage hole 144 on the lower second guide plate 143 of the two adjacent second guide plates 143 is smaller than the area of ​​the air passage hole 144 on the upper second guide plate 143.

[0080] As the area of ​​the air passage holes 144 on the multiple second guide plates 143 gradually increases from bottom to top, the natural gas can be distributed as evenly as possible in the axial direction of the central hole, so as to make the axial wear of the filter element 13 as consistent as possible, thereby ensuring the dehydration effect of the filter element 13 on the natural gas and ensuring the service life of the filter element 13, thereby reducing the operating cost of the coalescing filter 1.

[0081] Preferably, the distance between two adjacent second guide plates 143 gradually increases from bottom to top, so as to make the natural gas distributed more evenly in the axial direction of the central hole, thereby further reducing the cost of using the coalescing filter 1.

[0082] In this application, there is no specific limitation on the formation method of the air passage 144 on the multiple second guide plates 143 gradually increasing in area from bottom to top. Preferably, the apertures of the multiple air passages 144 are all equal, but the number of air passages 144 on each second guide plate 143 is different, and the number of air passages 144 on the multiple second guide plates 143 gradually increases from bottom to top. For example, the first second guide plate 143 from bottom to top is provided with one air passage 144, the second second guide plate 143 is provided with two air passages 144, the third second guide plate 143 is provided with three air passages 144, and so on, so that the area of ​​the air passages 144 on the multiple second guide plates 143 gradually increases from bottom to top. In other implementation examples, each of the multiple second guide plates 143 is provided with only one air passage hole 144, but the diameter of the air passage hole 144 on each second guide plate 143 is different. That is, the diameter of the air passage hole 144 on the first second guide plate 143 counted from bottom to top is smaller than the diameter of the air passage hole 144 on the second second guide plate 143, the diameter of the air passage hole 144 on the second second guide plate 143 is smaller than the diameter of the air passage hole 144 on the third second guide plate 143, and so on.

[0083] Implementation method three, refer to Figure 3The difference between this embodiment and embodiment two is that multiple second guide plates 143 are staggered along the axial direction of the central hole. The outer peripheral surface of each second guide plate 143 has a curved wall surface fixedly connected to the wall of the central hole and a spacer wall surface spaced apart from the wall of the central hole. The ends of two adjacent second guide plates 143 that are close to each other in the axial direction of the central hole are overlapped, so that an "S"-shaped channel is formed inside the central hole. This allows the natural gas entering the central hole to flow along the "S"-shaped channel in the axial and radial directions of the central hole under the action of the second guide plates 143, thereby increasing the flow path of natural gas in the second cavity. This reduces the kinetic potential energy of natural gas when it is discharged through the outlet of the filter element 13, further reducing the flow velocity of natural gas when it is discharged through the outlet of the filter element 13, further preventing the natural gas from carrying droplets again, and further improving the filtration efficiency of the coalescing filter 1 for natural gas.

[0084] Furthermore, refer to Figure 3 Each second guide plate 143 is inclined downwards from the inside to the outside along the radial direction of the central hole. The inclination directions of two adjacent second guide plates 143 are opposite to each other, so that the second guide plates 143 can guide the natural gas, thereby increasing the smoothness of the natural gas flow in the "S" shaped channel, and reducing the pressure drop of the natural gas in the central hole to a certain extent. This ensures that the natural gas flowing to the upper central hole has sufficient kinetic potential energy to pass through the filter element 13, so as to ensure the dehydration efficiency and dehydration effect of the natural gas.

[0085] Of course, in other embodiments, each second guide plate 143 may be arranged parallel to the radial direction of the central hole, or each second guide plate 143 may be arranged inclined upward from the inside to the outside along the radial direction of the central hole, and the inclination directions of two adjacent second guide plates 143 may be opposite to each other.

[0086] This application does not specifically limit the structure of filter element 13; preferably, refer to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The filter element 13 includes a support frame 131, a first water filter layer 132 disposed outside the support frame 131, and a second water filter layer 133 disposed outside the first water filter layer 132. The diameter of the support frame 131 gradually increases from bottom to top.

[0087] It is understood that the internal space of the support frame 131 forms a central hole, the support frame 131 is fixedly connected to the air baffle plate 12, and the guide plate 14 is fixedly connected to the support frame 131.

[0088] Since the filter element 13 includes a support frame 131, a first water filter layer 132 disposed outside the support frame 131, and a second water filter layer 133 disposed outside the first water filter layer 132, the support frame 131 can be used to support the first water filter layer 132 and the second water filter layer 133 to increase the stability of the first water filter layer 132 and the second water filter layer 133. On the other hand, the first water filter layer 132 and the second water filter layer 133 can also be used to block droplets and impurities in natural gas to increase the number of times droplets and impurities in natural gas are blocked, thereby further improving the dehydration effect of the coalescing filter 1 on natural gas.

[0089] This application does not specifically limit the formation method of the first water filter layer 132. Preferably, the first water filter layer 132 is composed of hydrophobic fibers wrapped around the outside of the support frame 131, and the winding density of the hydrophobic fibers gradually decreases from bottom to top.

[0090] Because the winding density of the hydrophobic fibers gradually decreases from bottom to top, it can ensure the blocking effect of the first filter layer 132 on natural gas, thereby ensuring the dehydration effect of the coalescing filter 1 on natural gas. On the other hand, it can reduce the pressure drop of natural gas at the end of the filter element 13 away from the connecting port 121. At the same time, it can also use natural gas to guide droplets to the inner wall of the housing 11, so that the droplets drip along the inside of the housing 11, thereby further reducing the occurrence of natural gas entraining droplets again, and thus further improving the dehydration effect of the coalescing filter 1 on natural gas.

[0091] Preferably, the winding density of the hydrophobic fiber is gradually increased from the inside to the outside, that is, the winding density of the hydrophobic fiber on the side closer to the support frame 131 is less than the winding density of the hydrophobic fiber on the side farther away from the support frame 131, so as to further improve the dehydration effect of the coalescing filter on natural gas.

[0092] This application does not specifically limit the material of the hydrophobic fiber. Preferably, the hydrophobic fiber is composed of glass fiber and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), that is, the glass fiber is wrapped with a PTFE membrane to ensure the droplet blocking effect of the first water filter layer 132 and to ensure the structural strength of the hydrophobic fiber. In other embodiments, the hydrophobic fiber can also be other materials such as polyester fiber and aramid fiber.

[0093] This application does not specifically limit the structure of the second filter layer 133; preferably, refer to... Figure 1 and Figure 2 The second filter layer 133 is composed of folded filter material sleeved on the outside of the first filter layer 132, and the fold depth of the folded filter material gradually increases from bottom to top.

[0094] Since the second filter layer 133 is composed of folded filter material sleeved on the outside of the first filter layer 132, and the fold depth of the folded filter material gradually increases from bottom to top, it can ensure the structural strength of the lower second filter layer 133 to ensure the support effect of the lower second filter layer 133 on the upper second filter layer 133, thereby ensuring the stability of the second filter layer 133. On the other hand, it can also increase the filtration area of ​​the upper second filter layer 133 for natural gas, so as to further improve the dehydration effect of the coalescing filter 1 on natural gas.

[0095] Preferably, the second water filter layer 133 is provided with two layers, one of which is located inside the other, that is, one of the second water filter layers 133 is located between the other and the first water filter layer 132, so as to further increase the dehydration effect on natural gas, thereby further improving the dehydration effect of coalescing filter 1 on natural gas.

[0096] This application does not specify the material for the second filter layer 133 filter media; it can be made of materials such as polypropylene that can block water.

[0097] In a preferred embodiment, refer to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The coalescing filter 1 also includes a honeycomb rectifier 111 located in the second cavity, which is located at the air outlet.

[0098] Understandably, the natural gas, after being dehydrated, enters the outlet through the honeycomb rectifier 111.

[0099] Since the honeycomb rectifier 111 is located at the gas outlet, the natural gas that is about to enter the gas outlet can first enter the honeycomb rectifier 111, so that the natural gas entering the honeycomb rectifier 111 is divided into multiple streams before entering the gas outlet. This reduces the kinetic potential energy of the natural gas entering the gas outlet, thereby reducing the flow rate of the natural gas entering the gas outlet. This further prevents the natural gas from carrying liquid droplets again, thereby further improving the filtration effect of the coalescing filter 1 on the natural gas.

[0100] In other embodiments, filter element 13 may also be other structures capable of dehydrating natural gas.

[0101] In a preferred embodiment, the housing 11 is provided with two drain ports, each equipped with a control valve. One drain port is located on the side of the housing 11 and communicates with the second cavity, so that when the control valve on the side of the housing 11 is opened, the sewage accumulated in the second cavity can be directly discharged through the drain port on the side of the housing 11. The other drain port is located at the bottom of the housing 11 and communicates with the first cavity, so that when the control valve at the bottom of the housing 11 is opened, the sewage accumulated in the first cavity can be directly discharged through the drain port at the bottom of the housing 11, thereby facilitating the drainage of the coalescing filter 1.

[0102] Reference Figure 4 This application also discloses a triethylene glycol dehydration device, which includes an absorption tower 2, a regeneration tower 3, a reboiler 4, a first heat exchanger 5, a circulating pump 6, a flash tank 7, and a coalescing filter 1 as described above. The outlet of the coalescing filter 1 is connected to the raw gas inlet of the absorption tower 2, the absorbent outlet of the absorption tower 2 is connected to the inlet of the condenser 31 of the regeneration tower 3, the outlet of the condenser 31 is connected to one channel of the first heat exchanger 5 and to the flash tank 7, the flash tank 7 is connected to the absorbent inlet of the regeneration tower 3, the reboiler 4 is located at the bottom of the regeneration tower 3 and is connected to the regeneration tower 3, the absorbent outlet of the reboiler 4 is connected to another channel of the first heat exchanger 5 and to the inlet of the circulating pump 6, and the outlet of the circulating pump 6 is connected to the absorbent inlet of the absorption tower 2.

[0103] Understandably, the top of the regeneration tower 3 is equipped with a condenser 31, and the water-rich triethylene glycol flowing out of the condenser 31 enters the flash tank 7 after passing through a channel of the first heat exchanger 5.

[0104] When using the triethylene glycol dehydration device of this application, natural gas is first introduced into the coalescing filter 1 so that the coalescing filter 1 pre-dehydrates the natural gas. After pre-dehydration, the natural gas enters the absorption tower 2 so that the triethylene glycol in the absorption tower 2 can reabsorb the moisture in the natural gas. Then, the natural gas with the moisture absorbed by the triethylene glycol is discharged through the raw gas outlet of the absorption tower 2 to complete the natural gas dehydration process.

[0105] During the regeneration of water-rich triethylene glycol, the water-rich triethylene glycol in absorber 2 enters the condenser 31 of regeneration tower 3 through the absorbent outlet of absorber 2. Then, the water-rich triethylene glycol enters the first heat exchanger 5 to exchange heat with the water-lean triethylene glycol flowing out of reboiler 4, so as to use the residual heat of the water-lean triethylene glycol to heat the water-rich triethylene glycol and increase its temperature. The water-rich triethylene glycol with the increased temperature then enters the flash tank 7. The water-rich triethylene glycol in flash tank 7 is flashed to separate flash vapor and condensate. Then, the water-rich triethylene glycol that has completed flashing flows out from the bottom of flash tank 7 and enters regeneration tower 3. Subsequently, it enters reboiler 4 to obtain water-lean triethylene glycol. Then, the water-lean triethylene glycol flows through the first heat exchanger 5 to exchange heat with the water-rich triethylene glycol and then flows through the circulation pump 6 back to absorb moisture from natural gas.

[0106] Because the triethylene glycol dehydration device in this application uses the aforementioned coalescing filter 1, it reduces the burden on the absorption tower 2 for absorbing moisture from natural gas, thereby reducing the amount of triethylene glycol to be recycled and regenerated, thus reducing the regeneration cost of triethylene glycol and consequently reducing the operating cost of the triethylene glycol dehydration device. On the other hand, it can use the coalescing filter 1 to filter impurities in natural gas, reducing the amount of impurities entering the absorption tower 2, thereby ensuring the cleanliness of the triethylene glycol and avoiding the occurrence of foaming due to impurities in the triethylene glycol, thereby reducing the occurrence of triethylene glycol entrainment in natural gas, reducing the loss of triethylene glycol, and further reducing the operating cost of the triethylene glycol dehydration device.

[0107] Furthermore, since the first heat exchanger 5 can exchange heat between water-rich triethylene glycol and water-poor triethylene glycol, it can utilize the residual heat of the water-poor triethylene glycol to heat the water-rich triethylene glycol, thereby reducing the temperature that the reboiler 4 needs to raise for the water-rich triethylene glycol, thus reducing the energy consumption of the reboiler 4, and further reducing the operating cost of the triethylene glycol dehydration device.

[0108] This application does not specify the structure or quantity of the first heat exchanger 5; preferably, refer to... Figure 4 The first heat exchanger 5 is provided in two parts, both of which are microchannel heat exchangers. One first heat exchanger 5 is located between the regeneration tower 3 and the flash tank 7, and the other first heat exchanger 5 is located between the flash tank 7 and the regeneration tower 3. Each first heat exchanger 5 is provided with a dual filter 51 upstream.

[0109] It is understandable that the water-rich triethylene glycol flows through the dual filter 51 before entering the first heat exchanger 5; the channel inside one of the first heat exchangers 5 that supplies the water-lean triethylene glycol is connected to the channel inside the other first heat exchanger 5 that supplies the water-lean triethylene glycol.

[0110] Since there are two first heat exchangers 5, one of which is located between the regeneration tower 3 and the flash tank 7, and the other is located between the flash tank 7 and the regeneration tower 3, the lean triethylene glycol flowing out of the reboiler 4 can be used to heat the rich triethylene glycol twice. On the one hand, this can improve the utilization rate of the waste heat of the lean triethylene glycol, and on the other hand, it can increase the temperature of the rich triethylene glycol that is about to enter the regeneration tower 3, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the reboiler 4 and further reducing the operating cost of the triethylene glycol dehydration unit.

[0111] Furthermore, since the first heat exchanger 5 is a microchannel heat exchanger, it can increase the heat exchange efficiency between lean triethylene glycol and rich triethylene glycol, thereby further improving the waste heat utilization rate of lean triethylene glycol and further reducing the heating load of reboiler 4, thus further reducing the operating cost of the triethylene glycol dehydration device.

[0112] Furthermore, since a dual filter 51 is installed upstream of the first heat exchanger 5, the water-rich triethylene glycol can be filtered using the dual filter 51 to avoid impurities in the water-rich triethylene glycol causing the microchannel heat exchanger to become clogged. This ensures the heat exchange efficiency of the microchannel heat exchanger for both water-rich and water-poor triethylene glycol and reduces the cleaning frequency of the microchannel heat exchanger, thereby further reducing the operating cost of the triethylene glycol dehydration device.

[0113] In addition, by selecting a microchannel heat exchanger for the first heat exchanger 5, the risk of leakage of the first heat exchanger 5 can be reduced, as can the cleaning frequency of the first heat exchanger 5. This further reduces the operating cost of the triethylene glycol dehydration unit and also reduces the footprint of the first heat exchanger 5, making it easier to install and arrange the triethylene glycol dehydration unit, especially suitable for natural gas dehydration projects on offshore platforms.

[0114] Specifically, during the regeneration of triethylene glycol, the triethylene glycol first flows through the absorbent outlet of absorber tower 2 and enters the condenser 31 of regeneration tower 3. It then enters one of the double filters 51 to filter the water-rich triethylene glycol. Next, it enters one of the first heat exchangers 5 to heat the water-rich triethylene glycol using the water-lean triethylene glycol flowing through it. Finally, it enters the flash tank 7, where the water-rich triethylene glycol is flash-distilled to separate flash vapor and condensate. The water-rich triethylene glycol then enters another double filter 51 to filter it, and then enters another first heat exchanger 5 to heat the water-rich triethylene glycol using the water-lean triethylene glycol in the other first heat exchanger 5. It then enters the regeneration tower 3, and then enters the reboiler 4. After the water-rich triethylene glycol in the reboiler 4 is regenerated, it enters the two first heat exchangers 5 in sequence and then returns to the absorption tower 2 via the circulation pump 6 to complete the regeneration of triethylene glycol.

[0115] The better one is to refer to Figure 4 The water-rich triethylene glycol first flows through the first heat exchanger 5 near the circulating pump 6, and then flows through the first heat exchanger 5 near the reboiler 4 to ensure the temperature difference between the water-rich triethylene glycol and the water-poor triethylene glycol, thereby ensuring the heat exchange efficiency between the water-poor triethylene glycol and the water-rich triethylene glycol, and thus improving the waste heat utilization rate of the water-poor triethylene glycol, so as to further reduce the operating cost of the triethylene glycol dehydration unit.

[0116] It is understandable that both first heat exchangers 5 are located between the reboiler 4 and the circulating pump 6. The lean triethylene glycol flowing out of the reboiler 4 first enters the first heat exchanger 5 near the reboiler 4, and then enters the first heat exchanger 5 near the circulating pump 6. That is, the temperature of the lean triethylene glycol in the first heat exchanger 5 near the reboiler 4 is higher than the temperature of the lean triethylene glycol in the first heat exchanger 5 near the circulating pump 6.

[0117] In other embodiments, the first heat exchanger 5 may also be of other structures, such as a plate heat exchanger, a tube heat exchanger, etc.; at the same time, the first heat exchanger 5 may also be of other quantities.

[0118] In a preferred embodiment, refer to Figure 4 The triethylene glycol dehydration unit also includes a second heat exchanger 8 located between the circulating pump 6 and the absorption tower 2. One channel of the second heat exchanger 8 is connected to the outlet of the circulating pump 6 and the absorbent inlet of the absorption tower 2, and the other channel of the second heat exchanger 8 is connected to the pipeline for transporting natural gas that has been dehydrated by the absorption tower 2. That is, before the lean triethylene glycol enters the absorption tower 2, it will exchange heat with the natural gas flowing out of the absorption tower 2 in the second heat exchanger 8 to utilize the waste heat of the lean triethylene glycol to dry the natural gas, thereby reducing the moisture content of the natural gas and further improving the dehydration effect of the natural gas. At the same time, it can also further improve the utilization rate of the waste heat of the lean triethylene glycol.

[0119] In a preferred embodiment, refer to Figure 4 The triethylene glycol dehydration unit also includes an energy storage module 9 for powering the circulating pump 6, a wind turbine generator 91 for charging the energy storage module 9, and a solar generator 92 for charging the energy storage module 9.

[0120] Since the triethylene glycol dehydration device also includes an energy storage module 9 for powering the circulating pump 6, a wind turbine generator set 91 for charging the energy storage module 9, and a solar generator set 92 for charging the energy storage module 9, the energy storage module 9 can be charged by the wind turbine generator set 91 and the solar generator set 92, thereby powering the circulating pump 6. This further reduces the operating cost of the triethylene glycol dehydration device. On the other hand, it also ensures that the energy storage module 9 is always energized, so as to ensure the normal operation of the circulating pump 6 and thus ensure the stable operation of the triethylene glycol dehydration device.

[0121] This application will not go into detail about the structure of the energy storage module 9, the wind turbine generator set 91, and the solar generator set 92; these can be directly referred to in the prior art.

[0122] Furthermore, refer to Figure 4 The triethylene glycol dehydration device also includes a support rod 93, a wind turbine generator set 91 is located on the top of the support rod 93, the support rod 93 is provided with a tracking bracket 94 located at the bottom of the wind turbine generator set 91, the solar generator set 92 is located on the tracking bracket 94, and the tracking bracket 94 can adjust the solar generator set 92 according to the angle of the sun's irradiation.

[0123] Since the wind turbine generator 91 is located at the top of the support rod 93, the tracking bracket 94 is located at the bottom of the wind turbine generator 91, and the solar generator 92 is located on the tracking bracket 94, the wind turbine generator 91 and the solar generator 92 can be integrated together to improve the structural compactness of the triethylene glycol dehydration device. On the other hand, the solar generator 92 can automatically adjust according to the angle of the sun's irradiation to ensure the power generation efficiency of the solar generator 92, thereby further ensuring the working stability of the triethylene glycol dehydration device. Furthermore, the circulating pump 6 no longer has to rely solely on grid power supply, thereby increasing the flexibility and applicability of the triethylene glycol dehydration device.

[0124] This application will not go into further detail about the structure of the tracking stent 94, which can be directly referred to in the prior art.

[0125] In a preferred embodiment, refer to Figure 4The triethylene glycol dehydration unit also includes a programmable logic controller (PLC) 95 and a humidity detector 21. The absorption tower 2 is equipped with a gas transmission pipe. The natural gas that has been dehydrated by triethylene glycol flows towards the outside of the absorption tower 2 through the gas transmission pipe. The humidity detector 21 is located in the gas transmission pipe and downstream of the second heat exchanger 8. The humidity detector 21 is used to detect the humidity of the natural gas in the gas transmission pipe. The PLC 95 is electrically connected to the humidity detector 21 and the circulation pump 6. The PLC 95 can control the circulation pump 6 according to the humidity value of the natural gas detected by the humidity detector 21, so that the circulation pump 6 can speed up or reduce the delivery of triethylene glycol. This allows the triethylene glycol dehydration unit to adjust the circulation volume of triethylene glycol in real time according to the humidity of the natural gas to ensure the dehydration effect of the natural gas and thus ensure that the dehydrated natural gas meets the requirements.

[0126] Preferably, a solenoid valve is installed on the pipeline connecting the circulating pump 6 and the second heat exchanger 8. The programmable logic controller 95 can control the solenoid valve to achieve precise control of the triethylene glycol circulation volume. This ensures the dehydration effect of natural gas while reducing the triethylene glycol circulation volume to a certain extent, thereby further reducing the operating cost of the triethylene glycol dehydration device.

[0127] For any parts not mentioned in this application, existing technologies may be used or referenced.

[0128] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other. Each embodiment focuses on describing the differences from other embodiments.

[0129] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principle of this application should be included within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A coalescing filter, characterized in that, include: The housing (11) has an air-containing cavity inside, and the housing (11) is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet; An air baffle (12) is provided in the air-containing cavity and divides the air-containing cavity into a first cavity and a second cavity located above the first cavity. The air baffle (12) is provided with a communication port (121) connecting the first cavity and the second cavity. The air inlet is connected to the first cavity and the air outlet is connected to the second cavity. The filter element (13) is located in the second cavity and is used to block water. The filter element (13) has a central hole opposite to the communication port (121) inside. The diameter of the central hole is gradually increased from bottom to top. A guide plate (14) is disposed in the central hole and is configured to guide the gas entering the central hole so that a portion of the gas flows radially along the central hole and the remaining portion of the gas flows axially along the central hole. The guide plate (14) is spirally arranged along the axial direction of the central hole so that a spiral channel is formed inside the central hole; The pitch of the guide plate (14) gradually increases from bottom to top, and the top of the filter element (13) is provided with a sealing plate (141) for sealing the top opening of the central hole.

2. The coalescing filter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The filter element (13) includes a support frame (131), a first water filter layer (132) disposed outside the support frame (131), and a second water filter layer (133) disposed outside the first water filter layer (132). The diameter of the support frame (131) gradually increases from bottom to top.

3. A coalescing filter according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first filter layer (132) is composed of hydrophobic fibers wrapped around the outside of the support frame (131), and the winding density of the hydrophobic fibers gradually decreases from bottom to top; And / or, the second filter layer (133) is composed of folded filter material sleeved on the outside of the first filter layer (132), and the fold depth of the folded filter material gradually increases from bottom to top.

4. A coalescing filter according to claim 1, characterized in that, The coalescing filter (1) further includes a honeycomb rectifier (111) located in the second cavity, the honeycomb rectifier (111) being disposed at the air outlet.

5. A triethylene glycol dehydration device, characterized in that, The apparatus includes an absorption tower (2), a regeneration tower (3), a reboiler (4), a first heat exchanger (5), a circulating pump (6), a flash tank (7), and a coalescing filter (1) as described in any one of claims 1-4. The outlet of the coalescing filter (1) is connected to the raw gas inlet of the absorption tower (2). The absorbent outlet of the absorption tower (2) is connected to the inlet of the condenser tube (31) of the regeneration tower (3). The outlet of the condenser tube (31) is connected to one channel of the first heat exchanger (5) and to the flash tank (7). The flash tank (7) is connected to the absorbent inlet of the regeneration tower (3). The reboiler (4) is located at the bottom of the regeneration tower (3) and is connected to the regeneration tower (3). The absorbent outlet of the reboiler (4) is connected to another channel of the first heat exchanger (5) and to the inlet of the circulating pump (6). The outlet of the circulating pump (6) is connected to the absorbent inlet of the absorption tower (2).

6. The triethylene glycol dehydration apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first heat exchanger (5) is provided in two parts, both of which are microchannel heat exchangers. One of the first heat exchangers (5) is located between the regeneration tower (3) and the flash tank (7), and the other first heat exchanger (5) is located between the flash tank (7) and the regeneration tower (3). Each first heat exchanger (5) is provided with a dual filter (51) upstream.

7. A triethylene glycol dehydration apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that, The triethylene glycol dehydration device also includes an energy storage module (9) for powering the circulating pump (6), a wind turbine generator (91) for charging the energy storage module (9), and a solar generator (92) for charging the energy storage module (9).

8. A triethylene glycol dehydration apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, The triethylene glycol dehydration device also includes a support rod (93), the wind turbine generator set (91) is located on the top of the support rod (93), the support rod (93) is provided with a tracking bracket (94) located at the bottom of the wind turbine generator set (91), the solar generator set (92) is located on the tracking bracket (94), and the tracking bracket (94) can adjust the solar generator set (92) according to the angle of sunlight.

Images