Regeneration device for dehydrating agent

Abstract

The invention relates to a regenerating device for a dehydrating agent. The regenerating device comprises an atomizing pipe and a separating assembly connected with the atomizing pipe. The atomizing pipe comprises a first end used for inputting circulating gas and a second end opposite to the first end, and the atomizing pipe is configured to enable dehydration products flowing into the atomizing pipe to be atomized when the dehydration products move from the first end to the second end through the circulating gas. A heating section is arranged on the atomizing pipe and is used for heating the atomized dehydration product in the atomizing pipe, so that a regenerated dehydrating agent is obtained after water vapor escapes from the dehydration product. The separation assembly is configured to liquefy escaped water vapor, and the core component of the separation assembly is a vortex tube. On one hand, the dehydration product is heated after being atomized, the heating area of the dehydration product can be effectively increased, and evaporation of water in the dehydration product is accelerated. And on the other hand, compared with a traditional regeneration process that regeneration equipment, an atomization pipe and a vortex pipe are used in cooperation, the size of the regeneration device can be remarkably reduced, and miniaturization of the regeneration device is facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of dehydration technology, and more specifically to a regeneration device for dehydrating agents. Background Technology

[0002] Natural gas produced from gas fields needs to have moisture removed to lower its dew point and ensure it meets the requirements for transportation and utilization. In general, triethylene glycol is used as a solvent to absorb water vapor from natural gas during dehydration processes. This process utilizes the absorption principle, employing glycol-based substances as absorbents to fully contact the natural gas, allowing water vapor to dissolve into the triethylene glycol, thereby achieving the purpose of dehydrating the natural gas.

[0003] The core equipment used in the natural gas dehydration process is the absorption tower and the regeneration tower. The absorption tower completes the dehydration process of the natural gas, while the regeneration tower completes the regeneration of triethylene glycol (TED). Raw natural gas enters from the bottom of the absorption tower and comes into countercurrent contact with TED, which enters from the top. The dehydrated natural gas exits from the top of the absorption tower, while the resulting rich TED exits from the bottom. The TED is heated by passing through the cooling pipes at the top of the regeneration tower and then enters a flash tank to flash-evaporate as much dissolved hydrocarbon gas and some water vapor as possible. The TED leaving the flash tank is filtered and further heated before entering the regeneration tower. In the regeneration tower, water is removed from the TED under low pressure and high temperature by heating, ultimately yielding regenerated TED. After cooling, the regenerated TED re-enters the absorption tower, thus achieving the recycling of TED. Furthermore, the mass concentration of the regenerated TED is greater than 98%. Currently, the regeneration tower has a complex structure and large size, which is not conducive to equipment miniaturization. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, the present invention provides a regeneration device for dehydrating agents, which has a simple structure and is advantageous for miniaturization while ensuring the regeneration effect of the dehydrating agent.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve its technical problem is: to provide a regeneration device for a dehydrating agent, comprising,

[0006] Atomizing tube includes a first end for inputting circulating gas and a second end opposite to the first end, the atomizing tube being configured to atomize dehydrated products flowing into the atomizing tube as they move from the first end to the second end via the circulating gas.

[0007] The atomizing tube is equipped with a heating section for heating the atomized dehydration product inside the atomizing tube, so that a regenerated dehydrating agent can be obtained after water vapor escapes from the dehydration product; and

[0008] A separation component is connected to the atomizing tube, and the separation component is configured to liquefy the escaping water vapor.

[0009] Furthermore, the heating section is equipped with a heating element so that the atomized dehydration product can be heated through the tube wall of the heating section.

[0010] Furthermore, the atomizing tube is provided with an atomizing structure for atomizing the dehydrated product, and a swirling structure disposed between the atomizing structure and the second end. The swirling structure is configured to allow the atomized dehydrated product to rotate circumferentially as it flows toward the second end.

[0011] Furthermore, the heating section is located between the swirling structure and the second end.

[0012] Furthermore, the heating element is an electromagnetic induction coil.

[0013] Furthermore, the separation component includes a vortex tube, the inlet of which is connected to a central tube disposed at the second end, so that the escaping water vapor, along with the circulating gas, passes through the central tube and enters the vortex tube through the inlet.

[0014] Furthermore, a compressor is provided between the vortex tube and the atomizing tube to compress the circulating gas and water vapor flowing out of the central tube so that the pressure of the circulating gas and water vapor reaches the target pressure.

[0015] Furthermore, a heat exchanger is provided between the vortex tube and the atomizing tube to cool the circulating gas and water vapor flowing out of the central tube using the circulating gas output from the cold end of the vortex tube.

[0016] Furthermore, the heat exchanger is also connected to the first end so as to deliver the circulating gas output from the cold end to the atomizing tube.

[0017] Furthermore, the hot end of the vortex tube is connected to a cooler for cooling and liquefying the water vapor flowing out from the hot end.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention provides a regeneration device for a dehydrating agent, comprising an atomizing tube and a separation component connected to the atomizing tube. The atomizing tube includes a first end for inputting circulating gas and a second end opposite to the first end. The atomizing tube is configured to atomize the dehydrating product flowing into the atomizing tube as it moves from the first end to the second end using the circulating gas. A heating section is provided on the atomizing tube for heating the atomized dehydrating product within the atomizing tube, so that regenerated dehydrating agent is obtained after water vapor escapes from the dehydrating product. The separation component is configured to liquefy the escaped water vapor, and the core component of the separation component is a vortex tube. On the one hand, heating the dehydrating product after atomization can effectively increase the heated surface area of ​​the dehydrating product and accelerate the evaporation of water in the dehydrating product. On the other hand, compared with traditional regeneration equipment, the regeneration process using an atomizing tube and a vortex tube can significantly reduce the size of the regeneration device, which is beneficial for miniaturizing the regeneration device.

[0019] Furthermore, this regeneration device uses recycled natural gas, eliminating natural gas emissions during the entire regeneration process and significantly reducing hydrocarbon emissions compared to traditional gas stripping processes. Moreover, the atomizing tube can be heated using electromagnetic induction coils, offering higher thermal efficiency and easier temperature control compared to traditional gas heating. Combined with the swirling structure within the atomizing tube, this ensures more uniform heating of the atomized absorption products. Attached Figure Description

[0020] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0021] Figure 1 The diagram shows a manifold structure of a regeneration device for a dehydrating agent.

[0022] In the figure, the following labels are used: 100, regeneration device; 10, atomizing tube; 11, first end; 12, second end; 13, atomizing structure; 131, flash tank; 14, swirl structure; 15, central tube; 16, heating section; 17, heating element; 18, storage tank;

[0023] 20. Separation assembly; 21. Vortex tube; 211. Inlet; 212. Cold end; 213. Hot end; 22. Compressor; 23. Heat exchanger; 24. Cooler; 25. Separation tank. Detailed Implementation

[0024] To make the technical problem to be solved, the technical solution, and the beneficial effects of this invention clearer, the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. This drawing is a simplified schematic diagram, illustrating only the basic structure of the invention, and therefore only shows the components relevant to the invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0025] refer to Figure 1 As shown, the present invention provides a regeneration device for a dehydrating agent, comprising an atomizing tube 10 and a separation assembly 20 connected to the atomizing tube 10. The atomizing tube 10 is configured to use incoming circulating gas to heat the absorbed product after atomization, so that water in the absorbed product enters the separation assembly 20 in the form of water vapor along with the circulating gas. This removes the dissolved water from the absorbed product and regenerates the absorbent as a dehydrating agent for natural gas. The separation assembly 20 is configured to liquefy the water vapor and then return the circulating gas to the atomizing tube 10. It should be understood that the absorbed product is obtained by dissolving water vapor in the absorbent.

[0026] In some embodiments, the circulating gas can be nitrogen, helium, or other gases. In this embodiment, the circulating gas is natural gas, the absorption product is rich glycol, and the absorbent is triethylene glycol.

[0027] Combination Figure 1 As shown, in some embodiments, the atomizing tube 10 includes a first end 11 for inputting circulating gas and a second end 12 opposite to the first end 11. In the direction from the first end 11 to the second end 12, an atomizing structure 13, a swirling structure 14, and a central tube 15 coaxially arranged with the atomizing tube 10 are sequentially disposed inside the atomizing tube 10. The atomizing structure 13 is configured to atomize the absorption product sprayed into the atomizing tube 10 by the circulating gas flowing in from the first end 11, thereby obtaining a gas-liquid two-phase fluid flowing towards the swirling structure 14. The swirling structure 14 is configured to cause the gas-liquid two-phase fluid to rotate circumferentially as it flows towards the central tube 15, thereby allowing the droplets of the absorption product to move towards the inner wall of the atomizing tube 10 under the action of centrifugal force.

[0028] As the droplets of the absorbed product move towards the inner wall of the atomizing tube 10, the heating section 16 of the atomizing tube 10, located between the swirl structure 14 and the central tube 15, heats the droplets, causing the water dissolved in the absorbed product to escape as water vapor. Therefore, the liquid ultimately adhering to the inner wall of the atomizing tube 10 is the regenerated absorbent. The escaped water vapor then enters the central tube 15 with the circulating gas and flows into the separation assembly 20.

[0029] In one specific embodiment, the inner diameter of the atomizing tube 10 is 50.00 mm, and the outer diameter of the center tube 15 is 32.00 mm.

[0030] In some embodiments, the atomizing structure 13 can be a Venturi structure to atomize the absorbed product into micron-sized droplets, thereby increasing the heated surface area of ​​the absorbed product and accelerating the evaporation of moisture in the absorbed product. Both the atomizing structure 13 and the swirling structure 14 are well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in detail here.

[0031] In some preferred embodiments, the nozzle of the atomizing structure 13 is also connected to a flash evaporator 131. The flash evaporator 131 is used to flash the absorbent product flowing into it in order to remove some of the dissolved water and hydrocarbons from the absorbent product.

[0032] In some embodiments, a heating element 17 electrically connected to an external power source is disposed outside the heating section 16. The heating element 17 may be a heating wire, so that heat generated based on the thermal effect of electric current is transferred through the tube wall of the heating section 16 to the droplets of absorbed product. Preferably, the heating element 17 may also be an electromagnetic induction coil, so that the tube wall of the heating section 16 heats the droplets of absorbed product based on the principle of electromagnetic induction, thereby improving heating efficiency.

[0033] In one specific embodiment, the heating element 17 heats the wall of the heating section 16 to 195°C.

[0034] In some embodiments, the second end 12 of the atomizing tube 10 is connected to a storage tank 18 for storing the regenerated absorbent. The storage tank 18 is also connected to a swirl structure 14 within the atomizing tube 10 to recirculate the gas that enters the storage tank 18 along with the regenerated absorbent back into the atomizing tube 10, thereby promoting the flow of the gas-liquid two-phase fluid.

[0035] In one specific embodiment, the circulating gas in storage tank 18 is at a rate of 15m³ / h. 3 A flow rate of / h enters the atomizing tube 10 through the swirl structure 14 inside the atomizing tube 10.

[0036] Refer again Figure 1As shown, in some embodiments, the separation assembly 20 includes a vortex tube 21, a compressor 22 connected to the inlet 211 of the vortex tube 21, a heat exchanger 23 connected to the cold end 213 of the vortex tube 21, and a cooler 24 connected to the hot end 213 of the vortex tube 21. The compressor 22 is connected to the heat exchanger 23 and the central tube 15 via a pipe to compress the circulating gas and water vapor flowing out of the central tube 15, so that the pressure of the circulating gas and water vapor reaches the target pressure after passing through the heat exchanger 23. After the compressed water vapor and circulating gas enter the vortex tube 21 from the inlet 211, almost all of the water vapor flows into the cooler 24 from the hot end 213 of the vortex tube 21 along with the high-temperature circulating gas, while the low-temperature circulating gas flows into the heat exchanger 23 from the cold end 213 of the vortex tube 21.

[0037] On the one hand, separating water vapor through the vortex tube 21 can effectively improve the separation efficiency. On the other hand, by using the low-temperature circulating gas output from the cold end 213 through the heat exchanger 23 to cool the circulating gas and water vapor flowing out of the central tube 15, the energy consumption of the regeneration device 100 can be reduced, and the compression difficulty of the compressor 22 can be reduced. The heat exchanger 23 is also connected to the first end 11 of the atomizing tube 10 through a pipe, so that the circulating gas output from the cold end 213 can be reintroduced into the atomizing tube 10, thereby realizing the recycling of the circulating gas.

[0038] In one specific embodiment, heat exchanger 23 uses low-temperature circulating gas flowing from the cold end 213 to cool the circulating gas and water vapor flowing from the central tube 15 to 80°C. Compressor 22 then pressurizes the cooled circulating gas and water vapor to 300 kPa to ensure the flow rate of the circulating gas and water vapor within the vortex tube, thereby achieving a temperature of -50°C at the cold end 213 and a temperature of 130°C at the hot end 213 of the vortex tube 21.

[0039] In some preferred embodiments, the pipe between the heat exchanger 23 and the central tube 15 extends through the flash tank 131 to heat the absorbed products within the flash tank 131 using circulating gas and steam flowing from the central tube 15, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the regeneration device 100. In one specific embodiment, the circulating gas and steam flowing from the central tube 15 heat the absorbed products within the flash tank 131 to at least 50°C as they flow toward the heat exchanger 23.

[0040] In some embodiments, the cooler 24 is connected to the separator 25 so that the cooler 24 delivers the cooled circulating gas and liquefied water to the separator 25 for separation. The separator 25 is also connected to the first end 11 of the atomizing tube 10 via a pipe so that the separated circulating gas can be delivered back to the atomizing tube 10, thereby realizing the recycling of the circulating gas.

[0041] In one specific embodiment, the cooler 24 can be an air cooler, used to cool the circulating gas and water vapor flowing out from the hot end 213 of the vortex tube 21 to 40°C, thereby liquefying the water vapor.

[0042] Preferably, a replenishment port (not shown in the figure) may also be provided on the separator 25 to replenish the regeneration device 100 with circulating gas.

[0043] In some preferred embodiments, a pressure booster (not shown) is provided on the pipe between the heat exchanger 23 and the atomizing tube 10, and / or on the pipe between the separator 25 and the atomizing tube 10, to pressurize the circulating gas flowing into the atomizing tube 10, thereby increasing the flow rate of the circulating gas when it enters the atomizing tube 10 from the first end 11, and ensuring that the atomizing structure 13 can fully atomize the absorbed product.

[0044] Combination Figure 1 The operation process of the regeneration device 100 will be described in detail below.

[0045] First, the absorption product in the flash tank 131 flows into the nozzle of the atomizing structure 13 after flash evaporation. The circulating gas entering the atomizing tube 10 from the first end 11 breaks up the absorption product ejected from the nozzle as it passes through the atomizing structure 13, resulting in a gas-liquid two-phase fluid flowing towards the swirling structure 14. The swirling structure 14 causes the gas-liquid two-phase fluid to rotate circumferentially as it flows towards the central tube 15, allowing the droplets in the gas-liquid two-phase fluid to move towards the inner wall of the heating section 16 under centrifugal force. During this process, the heating element 17 heats the droplets in the gas-liquid two-phase fluid through the tube wall of the heating section 16, causing the water in the droplets to escape as vapor. Therefore, the liquid ultimately adhering to the inner wall of the atomizing tube 10 is the regenerated absorbent.

[0046] The escaping water vapor enters the central tube 15 along with the circulating gas, and then flows into the vortex tube 21 through the heat exchanger 23 and compressor 22. During this process, the circulating gas and the escaping water vapor heat the absorption products in the flash tank 131 through the pipes passing through the flash tank 131, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the regeneration device 100. After the water vapor enters the vortex tube 21, it flows out from the hot end 213 along with the high-temperature circulating gas and flows into the separator 25 through the cooler 24. The separator 25 separates the circulating gas and the cooled liquefied water, and inputs the separated circulating gas into the first end 11 of the atomizing tube 10. The low-temperature circulating gas flows from the cold end 213 to the heat exchanger 23 to cool the water vapor and circulating gas flowing to the compressor 22. After passing through the heat exchanger 23, the low-temperature circulating gas also flows back to the first end 11 of the atomizing tube 10.

[0047] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "joining" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical 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 invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0048] It should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "up", "down", "front and back", "left and right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention.

[0049] Although the invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, various modifications can be made and components can be replaced with equivalents without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, the technical features mentioned in the various embodiments can be combined in any manner as long as there is no structural conflict. The invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but includes all technical solutions falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A regeneration device for a dehydrating agent, comprising, Atomizing tube (10) includes a first end (11) for inputting circulating gas and a second end (12) opposite to the first end (11). The atomizing tube (10) is configured to atomize the dehydrated product flowing into the atomizing tube (10) as it moves from the first end (11) to the second end (12) via the circulating gas. in, The atomizing tube (10) is provided with a heating section (16) for heating the atomized dehydration product inside the atomizing tube (10) so that a regenerated dehydrating agent can be obtained after water vapor escapes from the dehydration product; as well as A separation component (20) is connected to the atomizing tube (10), and the separation component (20) is configured to liquefy the escaping water vapor.

2. The regeneration device for dehydrating agent according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heating section (16) is provided with a heating element (17) so that the atomized dehydration product can be heated through the tube wall of the heating section (16).

3. The regeneration device for dehydrating agent according to claim 2, characterized in that, The atomizing tube (10) is provided with an atomizing structure (13) for atomizing the dehydrated product, and a swirling structure (14) disposed between the atomizing structure (13) and the second end (12). The swirling structure (14) is configured to allow the atomized dehydrated product to rotate in the circumferential direction when it flows toward the second end (12).

4. The regeneration device for dehydrating agent according to claim 3, characterized in that, The heating section (16) is located between the swirling structure (14) and the second end (12).

5. The regeneration device for dehydrating agent according to claim 2, characterized in that, The heating element (17) is an electromagnetic induction coil.

6. The regeneration apparatus for a dehydrating agent according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The separation component (20) includes a vortex tube (21), the inlet (211) of which is connected to a central tube (15) located at the second end (12), so that the escaping water vapor passes through the central tube (15) and enters the vortex tube (21) through the inlet (211).

7. The regeneration device for dehydrating agents according to claim 6, characterized in that, A compressor (22) is also provided between the vortex tube (21) and the atomizing tube (10) to compress the circulating gas and water vapor flowing out from the central tube (15) so that the pressure of the circulating gas and water vapor reaches the target pressure.

8. The regeneration device for dehydrating agent according to claim 7, characterized in that, A heat exchanger (23) is also provided between the vortex tube (21) and the atomizing tube (10) so as to use the circulating gas output from the cold end (213) of the vortex tube (21) to cool the circulating gas and water vapor flowing out from the central tube (15).

9. The regeneration device for dehydrating agent according to claim 8, characterized in that, The heat exchanger (23) is also connected to the first end (11) so as to deliver the circulating gas output from the cold end (213) into the atomizing tube (10).

10. The regeneration device for dehydrating agents according to claim 7, characterized in that, The hot end (213) of the vortex tube (21) is connected to a cooler (24) for cooling and liquefying the water vapor flowing out from the hot end (213).

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