Co-current Liquid Desiccant Regeneration for Offshore Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gas processing systems using counter-current flow schemes for dehydration and desiccant regeneration are large, heavy, and impractical for offshore and subsea applications due to their size and weight, making them difficult to transport and set up in remote locations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a co-current contacting system for both gas dehydration and desiccant regeneration, where a rich desiccant stream is co-currently contacted with a stripping gas to remove water, producing a lean desiccant stream and a wet stripping gas, which is then separated and recirculated, reducing equipment size and complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If counter-current flow scheme is used for dehydration and desiccant regeneration, then separation efficiency is improved, but equipment size and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the flow direction parameter from counter-current to co-current, which fundamentally alters the mass transfer mechanism. This parameter change allows the system to achieve acceptable separation efficiency with significantly reduced equipment size and weight, making it suitable for offshore and remote applications where the conventional counter-current towers would be too large and heavy
2Measurement precision
If counter-current flow scheme is used for dehydration and desiccant regeneration, then separation efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the flow configuration parameter from counter-current to co-current, the patent simplifies the overall system design. The co-current system requires fewer internal components and simpler structural arrangements compared to the complex tower internals needed for counter-current operation, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining functional effectiveness
3Measurement precision
If counter-current flow scheme is used, then dehydration performance is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter change by switching from counter-current to co-current flow configuration, which transforms the system into a more operationally flexible design. The co-current system's simplified structure makes it easier to transport to remote locations and simpler to set up and operate, directly improving ease of operation while maintaining adequate dehydration performance for the intended applications
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 co-current flow scheme reduces the size and weight of equipment, enhances efficiency, and lowers operating costs, making it suitable for offshore and subsea gas processing operations by allowing for more compact and efficient gas processing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a co-current contacting system configured to co-currently contact a rich desiccant stream including water with a stripping gas such that the stripping gas removes at least a portion of the water from the rich desiccant stream
Implementation Method 2
a stripping gas separation system configured to remove the water from the wet stripping gas, regenerating the stripping gas
Data Source
AI summary
A method for regenerating liquid desiccant is described herein. The method includes co-currently contacting a rich desiccant stream including water with a stripping gas within a co-current contacting system such that the stripping gas removes at least a portion of the water from the rich desiccant stream, producing a wet stripping gas and a lean desiccant stream. The method also includes removing the water from the wet stripping gas within a stripping gas separation system, regenerating the stripping gas, and recirculating the stripping gas to the co-current contacting system.