Preparing hydrocarbon streams for storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrocarbon processing systems face inefficiencies in reducing the volume of hydrocarbon gases for transportation and storage, particularly in terms of energy requirements and equipment size, especially when handling ethane and propane streams.
Innovation Solution
A fluid circuit configuration that includes a distilling unit and a demethanizer column positioned at the end of the circuit, reducing flash gas processing and compression needs, and allowing for the recovery of lighter hydrocarbons, which can be stored at ambient temperature and pressure, thereby optimizing refrigeration and equipment usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a demethanizer column is positioned at the front end of the fluid circuit, then hydrocarbon separation is achieved, but compression requirements and horsepower requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The demethanizer column is repositioned from the conventional front-end location to the back-end location in the fluid circuit. This inversion changes the sequence of operations so that compression and separation occur after partial expansion, reducing the workload on the demethanizer and lowering overall compression requirements and horsepower needs while maintaining separation efficiency
2Volume of moving object
If hydrocarbon gas is liquefied for transport, then volume is greatly reduced, but refrigeration requirements and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes controlled phase transitions between gas and liquid states of hydrocarbons. By strategically positioning the demethanizer column at the back end and managing the sequence of compression, expansion, and separation operations, the process achieves efficient liquefaction for volume reduction while optimizing refrigeration requirements through the natural thermodynamic properties of the hydrocarbon mixtures during phase change
3Strength
If hydrocarbon liquid is transported at high pressure, then pipeline wall thickness requirements are reduced, but insulation requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes pressure and temperature parameters dynamically throughout the fluid circuit. Hydrocarbon liquid is transported at high pressure to reduce pipeline wall thickness requirements, while the back-end demethanizer configuration allows for optimized temperature management that reduces insulation requirements compared to conventional front-end separation 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
This configuration reduces the size and energy requirements of processing equipment, lowers compression needs, and enhances profitability by minimizing product loss and optimizing the liquefaction process for ethane and other hydrocarbon streams.
Implementation Method 1
a distilling unit embodied as a plurality of vessels to separate the incoming liquid ethane stream into a liquid for storage
Implementation Method 2
Liquefying hydrocarbon gas can facilitate transport and storage of hydrocarbons and related material. Generally, the processes greatly reduce the volume of gas
Data Source
AI summary
A system and process that are configured to prepare incoming hydrocarbon feedstocks for storage. For incoming ethane gas, the embodiments can utilize a plurality of vessels to distill the incoming feedstock to vapor and liquid ethane that is suitable for storage. The embodiments can direct the vapor to a demethanizer column that is downstream of the vessels and other components. The process can include stages for distilling an incoming feedstock at a plurality of vessels to form a vapor and a liquid for storage; directing the vapor to a demethanizer column; and circulating liquid from the demethanizer column back to the plurality of vessels.