Hydrocarbon Stream Separation with a Shared Stabilizer Column
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing natural gas liquefaction systems face inefficiencies and high costs due to the freezing of heavier hydrocarbons, which foul equipment and require additional separation steps, leading to reduced methane recovery and increased capital and operational expenses.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a hydrocarbon stream treatment process that includes passing the feed stream through a first separation vessel, a high-pressure separation vessel, and a stabilizer column, maintaining pressure consistency between vessels to enhance separation efficiency and reduce the need for separate columns, thereby improving methane recovery and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a separate separation column is used for the second liquid stream, then the separation of heavier hydrocarbons is improved, but the device complexity and capital costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the separation of the second liquid stream (from high pressure separation) with the first liquid stream by feeding both into a single stabilizer column. This merging of separation functions eliminates the need for a separate debutanizer column, reducing device complexity while maintaining effective separation of C5+ hydrocarbons from the natural gas stream.
Solution Approach 2:
The stabilizer column is designed to handle multiple liquid streams (both the first liquid stream from the first separator and the second liquid stream from the high pressure separator) simultaneously. This multi-functional use of a single column improves process efficiency and reduces the overall number of equipment units required in the system.
2Quantity of substance
If additional separation facilities are added, then the recovery of C5+ hydrocarbons is improved, but the capital and running costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the processing of both liquid streams into a single stabilizer column, the patent achieves effective C5+ hydrocarbon recovery without requiring additional separation facilities. This approach maintains high recovery efficiency while avoiding the increased capital and operating costs that would result from adding separate debutanizer columns and associated equipment.
3Adaptability or versatility
If pressure is not maintained between separation vessels, then the flexibility of the process is improved, but the separation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains pressure within ±10 bar between the first separator and the high pressure separator to ensure that the second liquid stream remains in a suitable state for feeding into the stabilizer column. This controlled parameter maintenance enables efficient separation while preserving process flexibility through the interconnection design.
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 approach enhances the separation efficiency of natural gas into liquefiable components, increases C5+ recovery, and decreases capital and operational costs by simplifying the process and eliminating the need for additional separation facilities, resulting in a higher yield of liquefied natural gas and a stabilized C5+ condensate.
Implementation Method 1
passing the feed stream through a first separation vessel to provide a first gaseous stream and a first liquid stream
Implementation Method 2
passing the first gaseous stream from step (b) through a high pressure separation vessel to provide a second gaseous stream and a second liquid stream; maintaining the pressure of the first gaseous stream (20) between step (b) and step (c) within ±10 bar
Implementation Method 3
passing the first liquid stream of step (b) through a stabilizer column to provide a third gaseous stream and a stabilized condensate
Data Source
AI summary
A method of treating a hydrocarbon stream such as natural gas comprising at least the steps of: (a) providing a hydrocarbon feed stream (10); (b) passing the feed stream (10) through a first separation vessel (12) to provide a first gaseous stream (20) and a first liquid stream (30); (c) passing the first gaseous stream (20) from step (b) through a high pressure separation vessel (14) to provide a second gaseous stream (40) and a second liquid stream (80); (d) maintaining the pressure of the first gaseous stream (20) between step (b) and step (c) within +10 bar; (e) passing the first liquid stream (30) of step (b) through a stabilizer column (16) to provide a third gaseous stream (60) and a stabilized condensate (70); and (f) feeding the second liquid stream (80) from step (c) into the stabilizer column (16).