Contaminated Gas Liquefaction Using Expansion and Slurry Separation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for liquefying contaminated hydrocarbon-containing gas streams, such as natural gas, are complex and costly, making them unsuitable for small-scale operations and requiring significant equipment and chemicals.
Innovation Solution
A method involving cooling, expansion, separation, and recycling of gas streams to produce a liquefied hydrocarbon product with a simpler design, reducing operational and capital expenditures, and being robust against trace contaminants, which includes steps like cooling in a heat exchanger, expansion in an expander, separation, and recycling of gas streams to achieve liquefaction without grid connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional methods are used to liquefy contaminated hydrocarbon-containing gas streams, then the liquefaction process can be achieved, but the process becomes complex and requires expensive equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes contaminants (CO2, H2S, water) from the hydrocarbon-containing gas stream through specific separation units before liquefaction. This extraction approach simplifies the overall process by eliminating the need for complex contaminant management systems while ensuring clean liquefaction of the hydrocarbon component.
Solution Approach 2:
The process is segmented into distinct functional units: a heat exchanger for cooling, an expander for pressure reduction and temperature drop, and separators for phase separation. This segmentation allows each unit to perform a specific function efficiently, reducing overall system complexity compared to integrated conventional systems.
2Reliability
If conventional methods are used to treat contaminated gas streams, then contaminants can be removed, but a lot of expensive equipment and chemicals are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the energy contained in the gas stream itself and the physical properties of the components to achieve contaminant removal. The expansion process naturally causes temperature drop and phase separation, eliminating the need for external cooling systems and complex chemical treatment processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase transitions of hydrocarbons and contaminants during expansion and cooling. Different components transition to different phases (gas, liquid, solid) at different temperatures and pressures, enabling automatic separation without requiring complex chemical treatment equipment.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional liquefaction methods are applied, then hydrocarbon gas can be liquefied, but the process is not suitable for small scale operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system is designed with dynamic parameters that can be adjusted for different scale operations. The expander and heat exchanger can be sized and configured to match the specific production requirements, allowing the same basic process design to serve both small-scale and larger operations efficiently.
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 method results in a cost-effective and flexible process for small-scale operations, producing a liquid hydrocarbon stream with unique composition, and is robust against contaminants, reducing utility and chemical requirements, and allowing for remote operation.
Implementation Method 1
cooling the contaminated hydrocarbon-containing gas stream in a first heat exchanger thereby obtaining a cooled contaminated hydrocarbon-containing stream
Implementation Method 2
cooling the cooled contaminated hydrocarbon-containing stream in an expander thereby obtaining a partially liquefied stream
Implementation Method 3
separating the partially liquefied stream in a separator thereby obtaining a gaseous stream and a liquid stream
Implementation Method 4
expanding the liquid stream obtained in step (d) thereby obtaining a multiphase stream, the multiphase stream containing at least a vapour phase, a liquid phase and a solid phase
Implementation Method 5
separating the multiphase stream in a separator thereby obtaining a gaseous stream and a slurry stream
Implementation Method 6
separating the slurry stream in a solid/liquid separator thereby obtaining a liquid hydrocarbon stream and a concentrated slurry stream
Implementation Method 7
passing the gaseous stream obtained in step (d) through the first heat exchanger thereby obtaining a heated gaseous stream
Implementation Method 8
compressing the heated gaseous stream thereby obtaining a compressed gas stream
Data Source
AI summary
A method of liquefying a contaminated hydrocarbon-containing gas stream includes cooling the stream in a first heat exchanger and cooling the cooled stream in an expander to obtain a partially liquefied stream. The method further includes separating the partially liquefied stream in a separator to obtain a gaseous stream and a liquid stream. The liquid stream is expanded to obtain a multiphase stream containing at least a vapour phase, a liquid phase and a solid phase. The multiphase stream is separated in a separator to obtain a gaseous stream and a slurry stream. The slurry stream is separated in a solid/liquid separator to obtain a liquid hydrocarbon stream and a concentrated slurry stream. The gaseous stream is passed through the first heat exchanger to obtain a heated gaseous stream. The heated gaseous stream is compressed and combined with the contaminated hydrocarbon-containing gas stream.