Shared Pretreatment Layout for Multi-Train Gas Liquefaction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing light hydrocarbon gas liquefaction processes require duplicate facilities for acid gas removal and dewatering, leading to significant capital expenditure due to the need for separate vessels for each train, which is inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
Designing a first light hydrocarbon gas liquefaction train with shared facilities that can be expanded modularly to accommodate additional trains, allowing for shared use of acid gas removal and dewatering vessels, reducing the need for duplicate equipment and enabling incremental capacity expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate acid gas removal and dewatering vessels are provided for each liquefaction train, then each train can operate independently and reliably, but capital expenditure increases significantly due to duplicate facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges acid gas removal vessels and dewatering vessels into shared facilities that serve multiple liquefaction trains. Instead of providing separate vessels for each train, the system combines these pretreatment functions into common infrastructure that can accommodate several trains, thereby reducing capital expenditure while maintaining operational reliability through shared resources
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs acid gas removal and dewatering vessels with universal functionality to serve multiple liquefaction trains. These shared vessels are configured to handle gas streams from different trains through appropriate switching mechanisms, allowing one set of vessels to perform the pretreatment function for multiple trains rather than requiring dedicated vessels for each train
2Adaptability or versatility
If duplicate acid gas removal and dewatering vessels are constructed for each train, then each train has dedicated facilities, but device complexity and construction cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the liquefaction system into modular trains that can be added incrementally, while the pretreatment facilities (acid gas removal and dewatering vessels) are designed as shared infrastructure. This segmentation allows each train to be relatively simple and modular, while the complex pretreatment functions are consolidated into shared facilities that serve multiple trains, reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic switching mechanisms that allow the system to flexibly allocate shared acid gas removal and dewatering vessels to different trains based on operational needs. This dynamic configuration capability provides adaptability and versatility in train operation without requiring duplicate static facilities for each train, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining operational flexibility
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 reduces the expense required for vessels by allowing shared use of acid gas removal and dewatering facilities across multiple trains, achieving efficient and economical liquefaction of light hydrocarbon gas, thereby minimizing capital costs and facilitating incremental capacity expansion.
Implementation Method 1
passing a light hydrocarbon gas feed stream through molecular sieve vessels to produce a dewatered light hydrocarbon gas feed stream
Implementation Method 2
passing a light hydrocarbon gas feed stream through aqueous amine vessels to produce a light hydrocarbon gas feed stream having a reduced acid content
Data Source
AI summary
An improved system and method for providing reduced acid gas/dewatered light hydrocarbon gas to a light hydrocarbon gas liquefaction process wherein a plurality of light hydrocarbon gas liquefaction trains are used.