Compressor Flushing with Dialkyl Polysulfide Mixtures
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Solution Overview
Problem
The compression of hydrogen-sulfide gas streams often results in sulfur deposits within compressors, leading to reduced performance and potential mechanical damage, and existing purification methods consume components or require costly shutdowns for cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the compression of hydrogen-sulfide gas streams using rotary or liquid ring compressors, followed by flushing with a mixture of dialkyl polysulfides, dialkyl disulfides, and at least one amine to dissolve and remove sulfur deposits, thereby maintaining compressor availability with minimal capital expenditure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stress or pressure
If hydrogen-sulfide-comprising gas streams are compressed, then the gas can be used for precipitation and synthesis processes under pressure, but sulfur deposits form in the compressor leading to reduced performance and mechanical damage
Solution Approach 1:
The compressor is flushed with a cleaning mixture before sulfur deposits can accumulate to problematic levels. This preventive maintenance approach is integrated into the continuous operation cycle, allowing the compressor to be cleaned in-situ without shutdown, thereby maintaining both high pressure operation and compressor availability
Solution Approach 2:
A cleaning mixture comprising dialkyl polysulfides, dialkyl disulfides, and at least one amine is introduced as an intermediary substance to dissolve and remove sulfur deposits from the compressor. This mixture acts as a mediator between the harmful sulfur deposits and the compressor surfaces, enabling removal without mechanical disassembly or shutdown
2Reliability
If the compressor is shut down for cleaning to remove sulfur deposits, then mechanical damage is prevented, but productivity and availability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning process is designed to occur during continuous compressor operation without shutdown. The cleaning mixture is introduced and circulated through the compressor while it remains in service, eliminating idle time and maintaining continuous productive action while still achieving deposit removal and preventing mechanical damage
Solution Approach 2:
The compressor is cleaned in-situ using a chemical mixture that flows through the compressor during operation. The system cleans itself without requiring external intervention, disassembly, or shutdown, thereby maintaining both integrity and continuous productivity
3Reliability
If purification methods are used to prevent sulfur deposits, then compressor availability is improved, but capital expenditure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the gas stream by introducing a cleaning mixture with specific composition (dialkyl polysulfides, dialkyl disulfides, and amines). This chemical parameter change enables deposit removal through dissolution rather than requiring complex physical separation equipment or purification systems
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning mixture is a relatively simple, low-cost chemical solution that can be introduced, used, and regenerated or replaced as needed. Rather than investing in expensive, complex purification equipment, the system uses a consumable cleaning agent that provides effective deposit removal at lower capital expenditure
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 effectively prevents sulfur deposits from forming, maintaining high compressor output and reducing the need for frequent shutdowns, allowing for continuous operation while using a mixture that can be derived from existing sulfur compound production processes.
Implementation Method 1
flushing the compressor with a mixture comprising dialkyl polysulfides, dialkyl disulfides and at least one amine to dissolve and remove sulfur deposits
Implementation Method 2
compressing the hydrogen-sulfide-comprising gas stream in a compressor
Data Source
AI summary
A process for compressing a hydrogen-sulfide-comprising gas stream, which comprises(i) compressing the hydrogen-sulfide-comprising gas stream in a compressor,(ii) flushing the compressor with a mixture comprising dialkyl polysulfides, dialkyl disulfides and at least one amine;a process for producing sulfur compounds, selected from the group consisting of alkylmercaptans, dialkyl disulfides and alkanesulfonic acids, which comprises the conversion of hydrogen-sulfide-comprising gas streams, wherein the hydrogen-sulfide-comprising gas streams are compressed according to the process comprising steps i) and ii); and also the use of a mixture comprising dialkyl polysulfides, dialkyl disulfides and at least one amine for removing sulfur deposits which occur in the compression of hydrogen-sulfide-comprising gas streams.