Glycol Reclamation Strainer for Bulk Solids Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for ethylene glycol reclamation, such as cyclonic separation and centrifugation, are complex and inefficient in removing bulk solids from liquid streams, particularly in cases with high solid contaminant concentrations like ethylene glycol reclamation, where dissolved salts and pipe scale can cause scaling and fouling in hydrocarbon pipelines.
Innovation Solution
A solids removal apparatus comprising a large bore pipe and a strainer, where the strainer allows fine particles up to 1 mm to pass through while preventing larger particles, allowing the fine particles to return to the reclaimer flash drum for salt precipitation, and utilizing make-up water with lower salt content to further reduce solids in the outlet stream, enabling continuous operation without downtime.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cyclonic separation or centrifugation is used to remove solids, then solid removal capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential function of solid removal from complex cyclonic or centrifugal systems, implementing it through a simple strainer that physically filters solids from the brine stream. This eliminates the need for complex rotating machinery while maintaining effective solid removal capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The strainer acts as a simple, replaceable component that can be easily cleaned or replaced when fouled, rather than maintaining complex expensive equipment. This approach trades the longevity of complex equipment for the simplicity and low cost of a disposable-like strainer.
2Reliability
If complex equipment is used for solid removal, then solid removal efficiency is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The strainer system is designed to be self-cleaning through backflushing operations, where the system uses its own fluid flow to clean the strainer screen. This eliminates the need for manual intervention or complex automated cleaning mechanisms, maintaining high efficiency while simplifying operation.
3Device complexity
If solids are not removed effectively, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of substance increases due to scaling and fouling
Solution Approach 1:
The strainer performs preliminary solid removal before the brine enters the flash drum, preventing solids from causing scaling and fouling downstream. This preliminary filtration action protects the system while maintaining simplicity, avoiding the need for complex post-treatment systems.
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
Effectively removes bulk solids from ethylene glycol reclamation without the need for complex equipment, allowing for continuous operation and reducing solids content in the reclaimer flash drum, thereby mitigating scaling and fouling issues in hydrocarbon pipelines.
Implementation Method 1
The strainer is configured to prevent at least a portion of the solid material from flowing through the strainer
Implementation Method 2
Flow through the large bore pipe and the strainer is slow, allowing for solids to settle within the large bore pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A solids removal apparatus for glycol reclamation includes a first tubular, a second tubular, and a strainer. The first tubular includes an open end configured to receive a brine stream including solid material. The second tubular is connected to and protrudes from the first tubular. The second tubular is configured to discharge an outlet stream. The strainer is disposed within the second tubular. The strainer is configured to prevent at least a portion of the solid material from flowing through the strainer, such that the outlet stream discharging from the second tubular has a solids content that is less than a solids content of the brine stream.