Hydrocarbon Recovery Facility with Solvent Dissolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing hydrocarbon recovery systems are costly and difficult to handle due to the need for pulverizing solid hydrocarbons, which complicates the treatment process.
Innovation Solution
A hydrocarbon recovery facility is designed with a washing column for depositing hydrocarbons in water, an automatic strainer for continuous removal, an oil-water mixing drum for dissolving hydrocarbons in an organic solvent, and an oil-water separation drum to separate the phases, allowing for continuous recovery at a lower cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If solid hydrocarbons are removed by a strainer and then pulverized, then hydrocarbons can be removed from gas, but the facility becomes costly and complex due to the pulverizing requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of hydrocarbons from solid to liquid by dissolving them in an organic solvent. This parameter change eliminates the need for pulverizing facilities, thereby reducing device complexity and manufacturing cost while maintaining effective hydrocarbon removal capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an organic solvent as an intermediary substance to dissolve solid hydrocarbons, converting them into a liquid state. This intermediary enables the hydrocarbons to be handled as liquid waste water instead of solid particles, eliminating the need for complex pulverizing equipment
2Ease of operation
If solid hydrocarbons are removed by a strainer, then hydrocarbons can be separated from gas, but the solid hydrocarbons are difficult to handle
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state of hydrocarbons from solid to liquid through dissolution in organic solvent. Liquid hydrocarbons are significantly easier to handle, transport, and process compared to solid particles, thereby improving operational ease without requiring additional complex handling equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The organic solvent acts as an intermediary that transforms difficult-to-handle solid hydrocarbons into easily manageable liquid form. This intermediary substance enables simple liquid handling procedures instead of complex solid material handling operations
3Productivity
If hydrocarbons are deposited in water and removed by strainer, then hydrocarbons can be recovered, but the process is not continuous and requires additional pulverizing steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous hydrocarbon recovery by dissolving hydrocarbons in organic solvent and separating them through oil-water separation. This continuous liquid-phase process eliminates the need for intermittent solid handling and pulverizing steps, maintaining continuous operation and improving productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical pulverizing system with a chemical dissolution system. Instead of mechanically grinding solid hydrocarbons, the system uses organic solvent to chemically dissolve hydrocarbons, achieving continuous separation without mechanical pulverizing equipment
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 enables continuous hydrocarbon recovery from gas at a lower cost by efficiently separating and utilizing the hydrocarbons, with the option of using a flammable solvent as fuel in the facility.
Implementation Method 1
a washing column configured to bring a gas and water into contact to deposit a hydrocarbon contained in the gas into the water
Implementation Method 2
an oil-water mixing drum for mixing the water and the hydrocarbon removed by the automatic strainer with an organic solvent to prepare an oil-water mixture
Implementation Method 3
an oil-water separation drum for separating the oil-water mixture prepared in the oil-water mixing drum into an oil phase and a water phase
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrocarbon recovery facility includes: a washing column configured to bring a gas and water into contact to deposit a hydrocarbon contained in the gas into the water; an automatic strainer for continuously removing the hydrocarbon together with part of the water from the water mixed with the hydrocarbon; an oil-water mixing drum for mixing the water and the hydrocarbon removed by the automatic strainer with an organic solvent to prepare an oil-water mixture; and an oil-water separation drum for separating the oil-water mixture prepared in the oil-water mixing drum into an oil phase and a water phase.