Amine Reclaimer Temperature Control With Variable Steam Input
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional reclaimer systems for amine agents experience inefficiencies due to temperature instability, leading to reduced amine agent recovery and increased losses from thermal degradation, as they rely on constant steam input and independent control subsystems that fail to maintain stable operational temperatures.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system with variable steam input and fluid input streams, controlled by a temperature and level controller, to maintain a stable operational temperature within a desired range, thereby reducing thermal degradation and enhancing amine agent recovery without requiring additional hardware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If constant steam input is used to heat the fluid to desired operational temperature, then the amine agent can be reclaimed through evaporation, but the temperature varies significantly above and below the desired temperature, reducing reclamation efficiency and causing thermal degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from constant steam input to variable steam input that dynamically adjusts based on real-time temperature feedback. The control system continuously monitors temperature and modulates steam flow rate to maintain stable operational temperature, resolving the contradiction between achieving sufficient evaporation for reclamation and preventing thermal degradation from temperature fluctuations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback control by connecting the temperature controller to the steam input subsystem. The temperature sensor continuously monitors the fluid temperature in the reclaimer and feeds this information back to the control system, which then adjusts the steam input accordingly. This closed-loop feedback mechanism ensures temperature stability while maintaining efficient amine agent recovery
2Productivity
If elevated temperature is used to maximize evaporation of amine agent, then reclamation efficiency increases, but irreversible thermal degradation of amine agent occurs above a certain temperature threshold
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the temperature parameter within an optimal range rather than using fixed elevated temperature. The variable steam input system allows dynamic adjustment of heating intensity, maintaining temperature high enough for efficient evaporation and reclamation while staying below the threshold that causes irreversible thermal degradation, thus resolving the contradiction between reclamation efficiency and amine agent preservation
3Ease of operation
If independent control subsystems are used for temperature and level control, then the system is easier to operate, but the temperature varies significantly during operational cycle due to constant steam input and high degradation product concentration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the temperature control and steam input functions by connecting the temperature controller directly to the steam input subsystem. This integration allows the temperature control system to directly modulate steam flow, creating a coordinated control mechanism that maintains temperature stability while preserving the ease of operation through automated control. The merging resolves the contradiction by enabling the control subsystems to work together rather than independently
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
This approach improves temperature stability, increases amine agent recovery, and reduces losses by dynamically controlling steam and fluid inputs, maintaining the desired operational temperature within a narrow range, thus optimizing the reclamation process.
Implementation Method 1
providing steam to the reclaimer vessel in a variable amount... wherein the steam is in indirect contact with the fluid such that at least some energy from the steam is transferred from the steam to the fluid
Implementation Method 2
Reclaimers generally utilize distillation processes to extract useable amine agent. Reclaimers are operated at an elevated temperature in order to produce sufficient evaporation of amine agent during the operational cycle.
Data Source
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AI summary
Reclaimer systems and methods of their use are provided. Reclaimer systems use one or more fluid input streams and a variable steam input to control temperature of a fluid in a reclaimer vessel. In certain embodiments, a temperature controller and level controller are both connected to at least one fluid input stream subsystem and a steam input subsystem. Output from the level controller and the temperature controller is used to control flow through both a fluid input stream subsystem and a steam input subsystem. In certain embodiments, selectors are used to determine which controller output to obey when controlling the steam input subsystem and the fluid input stream subsystem. In certain embodiments, lean amine agent and an inert fluid are input in a ratio controlled by a ratio controller in order to maintain the fluid level in a vessel.