Glycol Purification via Ion Exclusion Chromatography
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for regenerating glycol-based anti-hydrate agents in the hydrocarbon extraction process are energy-intensive, require high chemical consumption, and generate significant effluent, with challenges in separating glycol from divalent salts and monovalent ions, leading to inefficient recovery and frequent maintenance needs.
Innovation Solution
The use of ion exclusion chromatography to separate glycol from monovalent and multivalent ions in a single chromatography step, employing a cationic resin with a stationary phase that adapts to the ions present, allowing efficient separation and minimizing the need for chemical products and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If distillation is used to concentrate and purify glycol, then glycol purity is improved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The purification process is divided into two independent stages: first, chemical precipitation removes divalent ions (Ca2+, Mg2+) to prevent scaling; second, filtration removes monovalent ions and precipitated salts. This segmentation eliminates the need for energy-intensive distillation while achieving the required glycol purity for recycling.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If chemical precipitation is used to remove divalent ions, then scaling is reduced, but chemical product consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The method converts the harmful effect of divalent ions (which cause scaling) into a beneficial outcome by using them to precipitate out of solution. Calcium and magnesium ions are converted from problematic dissolved substances into solid precipitates that can be easily removed by filtration, thus eliminating scaling while using minimal chemicals.
3Productivity
If filtration is used to remove salts from glycol, then glycol recovery is improved, but maintenance frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
Chemical precipitation is performed as a preliminary action before filtration. By removing divalent ions that cause scaling through precipitation in advance, the filtration system operates under much cleaner conditions, significantly reducing fouling and maintenance frequency while maximizing glycol recovery efficiency.
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 method achieves efficient separation of glycol from both monovalent and multivalent ions, reducing energy consumption and effluent generation, with high glycol recovery rates and minimal maintenance requirements, providing a robust and economical solution for regenerating anti-hydrate agents.
Implementation Method 1
treating this flow by ion exclusion chromatography, comprising: injecting the flow into a chromatographic unit comprising an ion exchange stationary phase
Implementation Method 2
injecting the flow into a chromatographic unit comprising an ion exchange stationary phase
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a purification method comprising:providing a flow comprising a glycol, monovalent ions and multivalent ions;treating this flow with ion exclusion chromatography comprising:injecting the flow into a chromatographic unit comprising an ion exchange stationary phase;injecting an eluent into the chromatographic unit;collecting a fraction at the outlet of the chromatographic unit;the collected fraction being enriched with glycol and depleted of monovalent ions and multivalent ions relative to the flow.The invention also concerns an installation adapted to implement this method, and its application to the regeneration of an anti-hydrate agent.