Preparing hydrocarbon streams for storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hydrocarbon processing methods for storage and transportation are inefficient due to high energy requirements and unnecessary product loss, particularly in handling ethane and propane streams, which necessitate large and costly equipment and infrastructure.
Innovation Solution
A fluid circuit system 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, thereby optimizing the liquefaction process and reducing refrigeration requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If hydrocarbon liquid is transported at ambient temperature and high pressure, then pipeline wall thickness requirements are easier to address, but transportation infrastructure becomes more costly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from high pressure to atmospheric pressure for storage, and changes the temperature parameter from cryogenic to ambient temperature. This allows the use of simpler, thinner-walled storage tanks instead of complex high-pressure pipelines, resolving the contradiction between wall thickness requirements and infrastructure complexity.
2Productivity
If a demethanizer column is positioned at the front end of the fluid circuit, then flash gas processing is more efficient, but compression requirements and horsepower requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional arrangement by positioning the demethanizer column at the back end of the fluid circuit instead of the front end. This reversal allows the column to process only the smaller boil-off gas stream rather than the entire flash gas stream, significantly reducing compression requirements and horsepower while maintaining processing efficiency.
3Volume of moving object
If hydrocarbon gas is liquefied, then volume is greatly reduced for transport, but energy requirements and refrigeration needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the storage temperature parameter from cryogenic to ambient temperature and changes the pressure parameter to atmospheric pressure. This eliminates the need for continuous refrigeration energy input while maintaining compact storage volumes, resolving the contradiction between volume reduction and energy consumption.
4Productivity
If conventional processing methods are used, then hydrocarbon streams can be processed, but product loss occurs and profitability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers lighter hydrocarbons (C3 and C4) that would otherwise be discarded or lost in conventional processing. By implementing separation and recovery systems for these lighter components, the process converts potential losses into valuable products, improving both productivity and profitability while reducing substance loss.
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 minimizes equipment size and energy consumption, enhances profitability by avoiding product loss, and enables efficient processing and storage of hydrocarbon streams at ambient temperature and pressure, suitable for both onshore and offshore facilities.
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
The vessels can reduce the amount of flash gas processed by the demethanizer column
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.