Integrated Amine Redox Gas Purification System
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Solution Overview
Problem
The lack of integration between amine and redox systems in sour gas purification leads to inefficiencies, including the need for compression and increased capital and operational expenses due to differing operating pressures and transportation of tail gas, which prolongs processing time.
Innovation Solution
An integrated gas treatment system where the amine and redox units operate at the same or equivalent pressure, allowing direct transfer of the amine effluent stream to the redox unit without compression, utilizing a co-current and countercurrent contactor with reducing reagents like ferric salts or organisms containing HEME to purify CO2 and sulfur.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If amine and redox systems operate at different pressures, then each system can be optimized for its specific process requirements, but compression equipment is required which increases capital expenses, operating costs, and processing time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from being different between amine and redox systems to being the same or substantially equivalent. By operating both systems at a common pressure (e.g., 15-50 psig), the need for compression equipment is eliminated, reducing capital expenses, operating costs, and processing time while maintaining process effectiveness
2Adaptability or versatility
If tail gas is transported via pipes or tanker trucks to redox system, then flexibility in system placement is achieved, but pressure loss occurs and additional compression is required which increases operating expenses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the amine and redox systems into an integrated configuration where the amine system is positioned directly upstream of the redox system. This eliminates the need for intermediate transportation of tail gas, preventing pressure loss and eliminating associated compression requirements, while the systems remain operable at different locations through direct piping connection
3Productivity
If compression is used to bring tail gas up to redox system pressure, then the redox system can operate efficiently, but initial capital expenses and ongoing maintenance costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates equipotential conditions by operating both amine and redox systems at the same pressure level. This eliminates pressure differentials that would otherwise require compression, allowing tail gas to flow directly from amine to redox system without additional energy input or capital investment in compression equipment
4Stress or pressure
If multiple compressors are used in series to achieve required pressure, then sufficient pressure is achieved for redox operation, but processing time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from requiring multiple compression stages to operating at a single common pressure level for both systems. This eliminates sequential compression steps, reducing processing time and operational complexity while maintaining adequate pressure for redox system operation through direct connection
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 integration reduces initial capital expenditures, ongoing maintenance costs, and processing time by eliminating the need for gas compression and transportation, while maintaining efficient CO2 and sulfur purification.
Implementation Method 1
an amine unit configured to separate the influent fluid stream into a first amine effluent stream comprising hydrocarbons and a second amine effluent stream comprising CO2
Implementation Method 2
a reduction oxidation unit downstream of the amine unit configured to receive the second amine effluent stream from the amine unit and operate at the connection pressure while releasing a reduction oxidation effluent stream comprising purified CO2
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated amine and redox gas treatment system is configured to treat an influent hydrocarbon containing stream. The system includes a reduction oxidation unit connected directly downstream of an amine unit. The amine unit is configured to separate the influent fluid stream into a first amine effluent stream including hydrocarbons and a second amine effluent stream including a connection pressure and comprising CO2. The reduction oxidation unit is configured to receive the second amine effluent stream from the amine unit and operate at the connection pressure while releasing a reduction oxidation effluent stream including purified CO2. The connection pressure includes a single pressure or a plurality of pressures at which both the amine unit and the reduction oxidation unit are configured to operate.