High G-Force Cyclonic Separator for Sour Gas Foam Collapse
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biological sulfur removal processes for hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in gas streams face challenges due to the formation of foam, which is difficult to separate using traditional gravitational methods, leading to operational issues and potential fouling or corrosion in downstream equipment.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of high G-force centrifugal separators, specifically designed to collapse foam and effectively separate gas streams from sulfur and liquid components, utilizing centrifugal separation forces of at least 150 G's to address the foam issue and facilitate the removal of H2S through a bioreactor and absorber system with Thiobaccilus bacteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional gravitational separation methods are used to separate foam from gas streams, then the separation process is simple, but the separation effectiveness is poor and foam cannot be properly collapsed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of gravitational force from conventional levels to high G-forces (150-300 times Earth's gravity) using a centrifugal separator. This parameter change enables effective foam collapse and separation that cannot be achieved with conventional gravitational methods, directly resolving the contradiction between separation effectiveness and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic rotational motion to create centrifugal forces, transforming the static gravitational separation into a dynamic centrifugal separation process. The rotating separator generates time-varying high G-forces that effectively collapse foam structures and separate gas from liquid, overcoming the limitations of static gravitational separation.
2Reliability
If high G-force centrifugal separators are used to collapse foam and separate gas streams, then separation effectiveness is greatly improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies excessive gravitational force (150-300 G's) far beyond what conventional separation requires. This excessive action ensures complete foam collapse and effective separation, with the energy consumption being justified by the critical need to handle persistent foam that cannot be managed by conventional energy levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of persistent foam into a beneficial separation process. The high G-forces that would normally be considered excessive or wasteful are specifically utilized to collapse the problematic foam structure, transforming the foam from a process hindrance into a separable phase that can be effectively removed.
3Productivity
If biological processes using Thiobaccilus bacteria are used to remove H2S, then H2S removal efficiency is improved, but foam formation increases causing operational issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the foam separation function from the biological H2S removal process by introducing a dedicated centrifugal separator. This separate unit specifically handles the foam generation problem caused by the biological process, allowing the H2S removal efficiency to be maintained while the harmful foam effect is independently managed and removed from the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The centrifugal separator acts as an intermediary device between the biological H2S removal process and the downstream equipment. It mediates the harmful foam effect by capturing and separating foam before it can cause operational issues or damage to downstream equipment, while allowing the beneficial H2S removal function to continue uninterrupted.
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 enables the commercial viability of biological gas sweetening processes by efficiently removing H2S from natural gas streams, ensuring the gas stream is substantially free of sulfur and foam, thereby preventing fouling and corrosion in downstream equipment.
Implementation Method 1
The invention herein applies high G forces to the foam containing gas stream using a cyclonic separation device
Implementation Method 2
using a cyclonic separation device. It has been determined that high G forces can be used to cause the foam to collapse and allow the sulfur and solution to properly separate from exiting gas streams
Implementation Method 3
Sulfur bacteria (i.e., bacteria that are able to metabolize sulfur compounds) can be utilized in biofilter or bioscrubber reactors to oxidize H2S to sulfates
Implementation Method 4
Biologically-generated hydrogen sulfide is generally the product of anaerobic digestion of organic matter
Data Source
AI summary
This invention teaches a process that includes extraction of gas in which the presence of foam results in the carry over in the outlet gas stream of excessive liquids and/or solids, including the steps of injecting the foam laden gas stream tangentially into a cyclonic separator having an axial gas outlet and a liquid outlet, under conditions in which the inlet stream is subjected to at least about 150 G's, the outlet gas being substantially liquids/solids free and the outlet liquid stream being conveyed for disposal or further processing.