Deethanizer LPG Separation for Hydrogen Sulfide Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processes for producing liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from biorenewable feedstocks face challenges in efficiently removing hydrogen sulfide without the use of amine treating, which is costly and inefficient, leading to LPG that does not meet hydrogen sulfide specifications.
Innovation Solution
The use of a deethanizer column for LPG treatment effectively separates hydrogen sulfide, allowing the production of LPG that meets hydrogen sulfide specifications without the need for amine treating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If amine treating is used to remove hydrogen sulfide from LPG, then hydrogen sulfide removal efficiency is improved, but process cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes hydrogen sulfide from the LPG stream using a deethanizer column that selectively separates hydrogen sulfide based on its different boiling point characteristics compared to LPG components. This extraction method eliminates the need for amine treating while achieving effective hydrogen sulfide removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by using temperature and pressure controls in the deethanizer column to optimize hydrogen sulfide separation. By adjusting these parameters, the process achieves efficient hydrogen sulfide removal without requiring amine chemicals, thus reducing complexity.
2Reliability
If amine treating is used to purify LPG, then hydrogen sulfide specification compliance is improved, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a deethanizer column to extract hydrogen sulfide from the LPG stream, providing a cost-effective alternative to amine treating. This extraction method meets hydrogen sulfide specifications without the high costs associated with amine chemicals and associated infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces expensive amine treating systems with a simpler, more economical deethanizer column process. This substitution reduces capital expenditure and operational costs while maintaining compliance with hydrogen sulfide specifications.
3Reliability
If conventional LPG purification methods are used, then hydrogen sulfide removal is achieved, but process efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a direct extraction of hydrogen sulfide using a deethanizer column, which is a more efficient method compared to conventional amine treating. This extraction process achieves hydrogen sulfide removal with higher productivity and lower operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical-based amine treating system with a physical separation system using the deethanizer column. This substitution improves process efficiency by eliminating the need for chemical reactions and associated equipment, focusing instead on physical properties-based separation.
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 deethanizer column efficiently removes hydrogen sulfide, ensuring that the produced LPG meets specifications, thereby improving the quality and efficiency of the LPG production process.
Implementation Method 1
a deethanizer column can be used for liquefied petroleum gas treatment. The deethanizer column efficiently separates hydrogen sulfide from liquefied petroleum gas.
Data Source
AI summary
A process of producing liquefied petroleum gas is disclosed. The process comprises providing a stream comprising C4-hydrocarbons and at least 10 wppm hydrogen sulfide. The stream is fractionated in a fractionation column to provide an overhead stream comprising C2-hydrocarbons and a bottoms stream comprising C3-C4 hydrocarbons. A predominance of the hydrogen sulfide is separated and taken in the overhead stream. The bottoms stream can be taken as liquefied petroleum gas stream which comprises a permissible level of about 1 to about 30 wppm hydrogen sulfide.