Adsorptive Separation System for Low-Volume Natural Gas Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating natural gas at wellsites are inefficient, particularly for low gas volumes, and lack the capability for selective fractionation, leading to significant flaring of associated natural gas and high greenhouse gas emissions, with existing technologies being capital-intensive, non-portable, and ineffective for low-volume gas processing.
Innovation Solution
A natural gas adsorptive separation system utilizing two or more adsorbent towers with a switching mechanism, coupled with a vacuum pump and heater, allows for selective desorption and fractionation by controlling temperature and pressure, enabling efficient separation of methane and other hydrocarbons, and is designed to be portable and economical for low-volume gas processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If refrigeration systems are used for natural gas separation, then separation capability is improved, but portability and capital cost are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs pressure-swing adsorption and temperature-swing adsorption techniques that change pressure and temperature parameters to selectively adsorb and desorb hydrocarbon components. This allows effective separation without requiring complex refrigeration systems, making the unit portable and suitable for wellsite operations.
2Manufacturing precision
If cryogenic turbo-expansion systems are used, then separation efficiency is improved, but minimum gas volume requirement increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses pressure-swing adsorption where pressure is varied cyclically to achieve separation at much lower gas volumes than cryogenic systems require. The adsorbent material's selective adsorption properties remain effective across a wide range of flow rates, eliminating the 50 MMscfd minimum threshold of turbo-expansion systems.
3Device complexity
If Joule-Thompson valves are used for separation, then equipment simplicity is improved, but separation efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces adsorbent material as an intermediary substance that selectively binds to specific hydrocarbon components. This mediator enables high separation efficiency by exploiting the different adsorption affinities of various hydrocarbons, far surpassing the limited separation capability of Joule-Thompson expansion alone.
4Manufacturing precision
If conventional wellsite treatment methods are used, then methane purification is improved, but portability and capital cost are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into modular components including adsorption towers, pressure control systems, and product collection units. This segmentation allows the equipment to be configured in portable, skid-mounted units that can be easily transported and deployed at remote wellsites, unlike conventional fixed treatment plants.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system effectively reduces flaring and enhances the quality of natural gas and natural gas liquids output, achieving high purity methane and separate hydrocarbon streams, while being cost-effective and adaptable for small-scale operations.
Implementation Method 1
A natural gas adsorptive separation system utilizing two or more adsorbent towers with a switching mechanism
Implementation Method 2
allowing for selective desorption and fractionation by controlling temperature and pressure
Implementation Method 3
coupled with a vacuum pump and heater
Data Source
AI summary
A natural gas adsorptive separation system and method is described. A method of separating natural gas includes directing a natural gas mixture through an activated carbon adsorption tower until the adsorption tower is saturated, collecting methane from the output of the adsorption tower, heating the saturated carbon adsorption tower with adsorbate using a heater and/or a vacuum pump in a closed loop circuit with the carbon adsorption tower until the input to the vacuum pump is within a specified temperature of the output of the heater, lowering the pressure in the heated activated carbon adsorption tower using the vacuum pump to desorb at least one hydrocarbon compound of the plurality of different hydrocarbon compounds, compressing and cooling the desorbed hydrocarbon compound, separating the cooled and compressed hydrocarbon compound into gas and liquid in a fluid separator, and collecting the liquid from the fluid separator.