Solid Absorbent Particles for Selective Mercaptan Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing mercaptans, H2S, and CO2 from gas streams are inefficient and often result in co-absorption of valuable hydrocarbons, requiring high energy for regeneration and posing environmental concerns due to the use of solvents like N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, which is toxic and restricted.
Innovation Solution
A process using a counter-current flow of a feed stream with an absorbent stream containing at least 15 wt% of specific substituted 2-pyrrolidones or a mixture of these with amine compounds, which act as both physical and chemical solvents, effectively removing mercaptans while minimizing hydrocarbon co-absorption and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional absorbent solutions (such as alkanolamines or N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone) are used to remove contaminants, then contaminant removal efficiency is improved, but hydrocarbon co-absorption increases and energy consumption for regeneration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a heterogeneous absorbent system consisting of solid particles with specific surface properties. The absorbent particles are designed with specific surface area (50-500 m²/g) and surface chemistry to selectively interact with mercaptans while being hydrophobic to minimize hydrocarbon adsorption. This localized surface property optimization resolves the contradiction between contaminant removal efficiency and hydrocarbon co-absorption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the absorbent material by using solid particles with controlled surface area, pore size distribution, and surface chemistry rather than conventional liquid absorbents. This parameter change enables selective mercaptan adsorption through surface complexation while the hydrophobic character reduces hydrocarbon co-absorption, and the solid phase enables easier regeneration with lower energy input.
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional absorbent solutions are used to remove contaminants, then contaminant removal efficiency is improved, but energy consumption for regeneration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the phase and physical parameters of the absorbent from liquid to solid particles with specific surface properties. This enables the use of lower temperature and pressure conditions for regeneration compared to conventional liquid absorbent systems, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining high contaminant removal efficiency through optimized surface area and surface chemistry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable or easily replaceable solid absorbent particles that can be regenerated through simple heating or pressure reduction. The solid particle form allows for more economical regeneration processes compared to energy-intensive regeneration of liquid absorbent systems, effectively reducing the overall energy consumption of the contaminant removal process.
3Manufacturing precision
If toxic solvents like N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone are used, then contaminant removal efficiency is improved, but environmental harm increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces toxic liquid solvents with solid absorbent particles that can be used as disposable or easily regenerable materials. This eliminates the environmental harm associated with toxic solvent disposal while maintaining effective contaminant removal through the solid particles' surface properties, including surface area and surface chemistry optimized for mercaptan adsorption.
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
The process achieves efficient removal of mercaptans and other contaminants with reduced hydrocarbon losses and lower energy requirements, using non-toxic and environmentally friendly solvents, thereby improving the selectivity and economic viability of the gas processing.
Implementation Method 1
contacting a feed stream comprising a contaminant with an absorbent stream in a counter-current flow to produce a contaminant depleted product stream depleted in the molar quantity of the contaminant
Implementation Method 2
treating the contaminant enriched absorbent stream to form a gaseous stream comprising said contaminant and a regenerated absorbent stream lean in the molar quantity of said contaminant
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a process comprising:step a) contacting a feed stream comprising a contaminant with an absorbent stream in a counter-current flow to produce a contaminant depleted product stream depleted in the molar quantity of the contaminant relative to the molar quantity of said contaminant in the feed stream, and a contaminant enriched absorbent stream enriched in the molar quantity of the contaminant relative to the molar quantity of said contaminant in the absorbent stream; andstep b) treating the contaminant enriched absorbent stream to form a gaseous stream comprising said contaminant and a regenerated absorbent stream lean in the molar quantity of said contaminant relative to the molar quantity of said contaminant in the contaminant enriched absorbent stream; herein said absorbent stream comprises at least 15 wt. % of at least one compound (A) of general formula (I) or a mixture (M) comprising at least one compound (B) of general formula (II) and at least one compound (C) of general formula (III).