Regenerating sieve material used for processing natural gas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Impurities such as carbon dioxide, sulfur, and hydrogen sulfides in natural gas feedstocks complicate purification processes and can damage equipment, necessitating effective methods to reduce their concentrations before liquefaction in gas processing systems.
Innovation Solution
The use of multiple beds of sieve materials arranged in stages for impurity removal, with temperature and pressure swing adsorption techniques to regenerate the sieve materials, extending their lifespan and reducing energy consumption, particularly in small-scale LNG production facilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If multiple beds of sieve materials are used for impurity removal, then purification effectiveness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the purification process into multiple beds of sieve materials arranged in stages, with each bed targeting specific impurities. This segmentation allows for effective removal of water, CO2, sulfur, and hydrogen sulfides while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic regeneration of sieve materials using temperature swing and pressure swing adsorption techniques. The system alternates between adsorption mode (purification) and regeneration mode (heating/cooling cycles), allowing continuous operation while extending sieve material lifespan and reducing energy consumption
2Use of energy by moving object
If temperature swing and pressure swing adsorption techniques are used to regenerate sieve materials, then energy consumption is reduced, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes temperature swing adsorption (heating and cooling cycles) and pressure swing adsorption (pressure variations) to regenerate sieve materials. By changing physical parameters (temperature and pressure) rather than using chemical solvents, the process reduces energy consumption while achieving effective regeneration
Solution Approach 2:
The purified natural gas produced by the system is used to provide the heating and cooling required for sieve material regeneration. This self-service approach reduces external energy requirements, as the product itself contributes to the regeneration process
3Manufacturing precision
If sieve materials are used for impurity removal, then purification effectiveness is improved, but sieve material lifespan decreases due to degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements regeneration processes that recover and restore sieve material performance by removing accumulated impurities through heating and cooling cycles. This extends the service life of expensive sieve materials by enabling their repeated use without replacement
Solution Approach 2:
Periodic regeneration cycles are implemented to prevent sieve material degradation from continuous impurity accumulation. By regularly restoring the sieve materials through controlled heating and cooling, the system maintains purification effectiveness while extending operational lifespan
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 effectively reduces impurity concentrations, extends the life of sieve materials, and lowers energy usage and residue gas requirements, making it suitable for small-scale LNG production by efficiently processing natural gas to meet liquefaction specifications.
Implementation Method 1
Some embodiments employ multiple beds of sieve materials that can remove impurities from the feedstock
Implementation Method 2
The embodiments can direct portions of the streams that exit each of these stages for use to regenerate the sieve material. This process can extend the useful life of the sieve materials. In one implementation, the streams may heat and/or cool the sieve material
Implementation Method 3
The embodiments may use some of the purified methane to cool the beds of sieve material found in the purifying stage
Implementation Method 4
The embodiments may also use some of the dried, unpurified gas to heat and cool the beds of sieve material in both the purifying stage and the drying stage
Data Source
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AI summary
A system and process for regenerating sieve materials in a gas processing system. The process can include circulating a cooling gas through sieve material of a first bed, the cooling gas having a first concentration of carbon dioxide (C02) suitable for liquefaction into a liquid natural gas (LNG) product. The process can also include circulating a regenerating gas through sieve material of a second bed, the regenerating gas having a second concentration of carbon dioxide (C02) that is greater than the first concentration of carbon dioxide (C02) of the cooling gas.