Heavy Heating Fluid Separation for Glycol Frothing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for separating water and contaminants from valuable process liquids like glycols and amines in the oil and gas industry face issues such as excessive frothing, unstable boiling, and emulsion formation due to the direct contact of heated heating fluids with contaminated aqueous solutions, which impairs the efficient and safe operation of the separation process.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a 'heavy heating fluid' with a higher density than the process liquid and vigorous agitation, such as a circular swirling motion, to vaporize the process liquid and precipitate contaminants, followed by the use of a salt solvent to dissolve and separate the contaminants, thereby creating a waste solution that can be removed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If heated heating fluid is brought into direct contact with contaminated aqueous process liquid to vaporize water and contaminants, then separation efficiency is improved, but excessive frothing, unstable boiling, and emulsion formation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the density parameter of the heating fluid by selecting a heavy heating fluid (density greater than the process liquid), which fundamentally alters the interaction dynamics between heating fluid and process liquid, preventing frothing and emulsion formation while maintaining effective heat transfer for vaporization
Solution Approach 2:
The heavy heating fluid acts as an intermediary medium that transfers thermal energy to the process liquid without causing direct mixing issues. Its higher density prevents it from mixing with the lighter process liquid, thereby mediating the heat transfer process while avoiding frothing and emulsion problems
2Device complexity
If standard heating fluid is used for vaporization, then process simplicity is maintained, but loss of process liquid increases due to frothing and emulsion formation
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the density parameter of the heating fluid to be greater than the process liquid density, the patent eliminates frothing and emulsion formation, thereby reducing process liquid loss without adding complex equipment or procedures
3Ease of operation
If heating fluid density is lower than process liquid density, then easier mixing is achieved, but unstable boiling and emulsion formation occur
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a lighter heating fluid that mixes easily with the process liquid, the patent inverts the approach by using a heavier heating fluid that naturally separates, thereby achieving stable boiling while still allowing effective heat transfer and vaporization
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is a method of removing contaminants from a feed stream comprising said contaminants and process liquid by bringing the feed stream into contact with a heated heating fluid in or in proximity to a separation vessel thereby causing process liquid to vaporise and flow out of the separation vessel as vapour, after which it can be recovered. Embodiments of the method may include using a heavy heating fluid whose density is higher than that of the feed stream and/or vigorously agitating the pool of heating fluid in the separation vessel.