System and method for removing freezing components from a feed gas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for processing gases are inefficient in removing freezing components from feed gases, which can lead to equipment damage and reduced liquefaction efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a scrub column, heat exchanger, and return vapor expansion device is used to cool and expand the feed gas, condensing and removing freezing components through a reflux process, with a reflux separation device and mixed phase reflux stream management to optimize gas processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional gas processing systems are used to remove freezing components, then the equipment structure is simple, but the removal efficiency is low and equipment damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the gas processing into multiple stages: initial cooling in the heat exchanger, condensation in the scrub column, separation in the reflux separation device, and final warming. This segmented approach efficiently removes freezing components while preventing equipment damage through controlled phase changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes phase transitions of freezing components from gas to liquid/solid state through controlled cooling and condensation in the scrub column, then separates the condensed phase from the processed gas phase, achieving efficient removal without equipment damage.
2Productivity
If the feed gas is cooled to remove freezing components, then the removal efficiency improves, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful cold energy that would otherwise be wasted into a useful resource by using the cold return vapor to pre-cool incoming feed gas in the heat exchanger, reducing the overall cooling energy required while maintaining efficient freezing component removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The cold return vapor from the scrub column is fed back through the heat exchanger to pre-cool incoming feed gas, creating a feedback loop that recovers and reuses cooling energy, thereby reducing total energy consumption while maintaining removal efficiency.
3Productivity
If a complex reflux process is implemented, then the freezing component removal efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reflux separation device is integrated with the scrub column and heat exchanger into a unified system where condensed vapor is automatically separated and returned as reflux, eliminating the need for separate complex reflux control mechanisms while maintaining high removal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own processed gas and condensed vapor streams to automatically perform cooling and reflux functions without external intervention, where the cold return vapor self-cools incoming gas and condensed liquid self-returns as reflux, simplifying device complexity.
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 removes freezing components, enhancing gas liquefaction efficiency and preventing equipment damage by utilizing a reflux cooling process that lowers pressure and temperature, thereby improving the overall processing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The return vapor expansion device is configured so that a pressure and a temperature of at least a portion of the return vapor stream from the vapor outlet of the scrub column are lowered
Implementation Method 2
the return vapor passage and the reflux cooling passage of the heat exchanger configured so that fluid flowing through the reflux cooling passage of the heat exchanger is cooled by return fluid flowing through the return vapor passage of the heat exchanger
Implementation Method 3
a system for removing freezing components from a feed gas includes a scrub column... effectively removes freezing components, enhancing gas liquefaction efficiency
Data Source
AI summary
A system for removing freezing components from a feed gas includes a heat exchanger, a scrub column and a return vapor expansion device. The heat exchanger includes a reflux cooling passage and a return vapor passage. Vapor from the scrub column is directed through the return vapor expansion device, where the temperature and pressure are lowered. The resulting cooled fluid then travels to the return vapor passage of the heat exchanger and is used to cool a vapor stream in the reflux cooling passage to create a reflux fluid stream that is directed to the scrub column.