Dynamic Flash Gas Routing for Variable Hydrocarbon Feed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrocarbon gas separation processes face challenges in accommodating variable feed gas compositions, leading to increased energy consumption and system complexity, as they require design to handle worst-case load conditions to maintain product purity.
Innovation Solution
A process and apparatus that involves contacting a multi-component gas stream with a lean solvent in an absorber, followed by sequential flashing at reduced pressures, with compressed flash gas routed back to the absorber as stripping gas and part to the hydrocarbon product stream, allowing for flexible control of flash gas routing based on feed gas composition, thereby maintaining product purity and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the system is designed to handle worst-case load conditions to maintain product purity, then product purity is maintained, but energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of flash gas routing based on feed composition variations. The system can flexibly route flash gas to either the absorber or product stream depending on real-time conditions, allowing it to maintain product purity without being over-designed for worst-case scenarios. This dynamic operation reduces energy consumption compared to static systems designed for maximum load.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes operating parameters (flash gas routing decisions) based on feed composition. By adjusting which stream receives flash gas according to actual feed conditions rather than fixed design assumptions, the system maintains reliability while avoiding the energy penalty of always operating at worst-case capacity.
2Reliability
If the system is designed to handle worst-case load conditions to maintain product purity, then product purity is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic routing of flash gas between two streams based on feed composition. This flexible approach allows a single system configuration to handle varying loads effectively, reducing the need for multiple dedicated systems or complex control mechanisms that would be required to maintain purity across all possible feed conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The flash gas is routed to serve multiple functions depending on conditions: it can act as stripping gas for the absorber or as补充 to the product stream. This multi-functionality allows one system to handle diverse operating conditions without requiring separate specialized equipment for each scenario.
3Reliability
If flash gas is routed back to the absorber as stripping gas, then light component removal is enhanced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically decides whether to route flash gas to the absorber or product stream based on feed composition. When feed contains more light components, routing to the absorber enhances removal efficiency. When feed is lighter, routing to product avoids unnecessary energy consumption, thus optimizing the trade-off between removal efficiency and energy use.
Solution Approach 2:
The routing decision parameter changes based on feed composition analysis. By adjusting where flash gas goes according to actual feed conditions rather than fixed operation, the system achieves efficient light component removal only when necessary, reducing overall energy consumption.
4Ease of operation
If the system operates with fixed routing of flash gas, then operation is simple, but adaptability to variable feed composition decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic routing where flash gas can be sent to either the absorber or product stream based on feed composition. This maintains operational simplicity by using a single routing decision point rather than complex multi-stream configurations, while simultaneously achieving high adaptability to varying feed conditions.
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 enhances operability and flexibility, reducing energy consumption by 31% and installed gas recompression horsepower by 44%, while maintaining product purity across varying feed gas compositions.
Implementation Method 1
contacting a multi-component gas stream with a lean solvent in an absorber to produce a light component overhead stream and a rich solvent bottoms stream
Implementation Method 2
flashing the rich solvent bottoms stream in at least a first, a second, and a third reduced constant pressure stages of sequentially lower pressure
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is a process and apparatus for separating the components of a multi-component gas stream comprising light and heavier volatility components with a variable composition. The process includes contacting the multi-component gas stream with a lean solvent in an absorber to produce a light component overhead stream and a rich solvent bottoms stream, flashing the rich solvent bottoms stream in at least a first, second and third reduced constant pressure of sequentially lower pressure wherein the released gas is compressed and a part is routed back to the absorber bottoms as stripping gas and a part is routed as a part of the heavier product stream. In this invention compressed vapor from the first or second reduced constant pressure rich solvent flash vessel is split by flow control between recycle routing to the absorber bottom stage as stripping gas and to the heavier product hydrocarbon stream, depending on the feed gas concentration of light component. The third and any additional flash vessels at sequentially lower pressure produce flash gas that is the remainder of the produced hydrocarbon product stream. The lean solvent remaining after the lowest pressure flash is routed back to the top of the absorber.