Physical Solvent Gas Drying and Acid Gas Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing water and acid gases from natural and industrial gases often require additional facilities and can only operate effectively at specific gas compositions, with solvents decomposing at high regeneration temperatures, limiting efficiency and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A process using a physical solvent that first absorbs water and acid gases in an absorption column, with the solvent then being regenerated using an acid gas stream in countercurrent flow, allowing for complete water removal and solvent recycling, and utilizing the same solvent for both drying and acid gas removal, achieving regeneration at temperatures below 150°C.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If glycol compounds are used to remove water from natural gas, then water removal is effective, but acid gases are also absorbed and accumulate in the solvent, reducing absorption capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The process is divided into two separate absorption columns: a first column for water removal using glycol solvent, and a second column for acid gas removal using a different solvent. This segmentation prevents acid gas accumulation in the water removal solvent, maintaining its absorption capacity while effectively removing both contaminants.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful effect of acid gas accumulation in the glycol solvent is eliminated by extracting the acid gas removal function into a separate system. The first column handles water removal, and the second column specifically handles acid gas removal, preventing contamination of the glycol solvent.
2Reliability
If drying is performed before acid gas removal, then acid gas absorption capacity is maintained, but additional drying facilities are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses two solvents with complementary functions: glycol solvent that removes both water and some acid gases, and a second solvent that removes remaining acid gases. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate drying facilities while maintaining acid gas absorption capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The water removal and acid gas removal functions are merged into a single integrated process using two absorption columns in series. The first column handles water removal with some acid gas co-removal, and the second column completes the acid gas removal, eliminating the need for separate upstream drying facilities.
3Ease of repair
If physical solvents are used for acid gas removal, then solvent regeneration is possible, but water accumulates in the solvent and must be removed
Solution Approach 1:
Water removal is performed as a preliminary action in the first absorption column before acid gas removal in the second column. By removing water first, the physical solvent entering the second column has minimal water content, preventing significant water accumulation during acid gas absorption and simplifying subsequent solvent regeneration.
Solution Approach 2:
The solvent treatment process is segmented into water removal in the first column and acid gas removal in the second column. This segmentation ensures that the physical solvent used for acid gas removal does not accumulate excessive water, maintaining its regeneration efficiency and absorption capacity.
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 process efficiently removes water and acid gases, allowing for the reuse of the solvent and reducing the need for additional facilities, while maintaining solvent integrity and effectiveness across varying gas compositions.
Implementation Method 1
removing water or water vapor from industrial useful gases by absorption with a physical solvent
Implementation Method 2
the acid gas stream obtained in an acid gas solvent regeneration device is divided into two partial flows, with the second partial flow being fed into the solvent regeneration device associated with the drying process, in which water is removed from the solvent with the aid of the second acid gas partial flow
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for drying a natural gas or an industrial gas that contains acidic gas components, wherein the gas drying is followed by a removal of the acidic gas components from the dried gas. The same physical solvent is used for both of the process steps of gas drying and of acidic gas removal. The gas to be dried is brought into contact with the physical solvent, which absorbs most of the water contained in the gas. The physical solvent, which is then loaded with water, is transferred into a solvent regenerating device in which the solvent is heated. In the solvent regenerating device, the water contained in the solvent is stripped from the solvent in the countercurrent by means of a sub-flow of the acidic gas that is removed from the dried useful gas during the acidic gas absorption, said acidic gas being released again in the acidic gas solvent regenerating device, stripped from the solvent, and discharged from the solvent regenerating device. The invention also relates to an arrangement as the device with which said method can be performed.