System and method for removing freezing components from a feed gas
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for processing gases are ineffective in efficiently removing freezing components from feed gases, which can lead to equipment damage and reduced efficiency in gas liquefaction processes.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a heavy hydrocarbon removal heat exchanger, a scrub device, and a return vapor expansion device that cools and separates the feed gas to condense and remove freezing components, while utilizing a mixed refrigerant compression system to manage temperature and pressure effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional cooling methods are used to remove freezing components, then freezing components can be condensed, but the process is inefficient and allows some components to pass through unremoved
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions by cooling the feed gas to condense freezing components from vapor to liquid phase, enabling their separation and removal through the liquid removal device. This phase change approach effectively removes components that would otherwise pass through unremoved.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the gas processing into distinct stages: cooling stage (condensation), separation stage (vapor-liquid separation), and removal stage (liquid discharge). This segmentation allows each function to be optimized independently, improving both removal effectiveness and processing efficiency.
2Reliability
If the feed gas is cooled to condense freezing components, then components are removed, but the cooling process requires significant energy and time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary cooling of the feed gas before it enters the main processing system. By pre-cooling the gas and pre-condensing freezing components upstream, the main system receives already-treated gas, reducing the time and energy required for subsequent processing steps.
3Productivity
If conventional systems process feed gas without efficient freezing component removal, then processing continues, but equipment damage occurs and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts and removes freezing components from the feed gas through a dedicated removal pathway. By taking out these harmful components before they enter the gas liquefaction equipment, the system prevents equipment damage and maintains high processing efficiency without allowing contaminants to accumulate.
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 system effectively removes freezing components from the feed gas, preventing equipment damage and improving the efficiency of gas liquefaction by ensuring the feed gas is processed without freezing components, thereby enhancing overall system performance.
Implementation Method 1
cooling the feed gas stream to a temperature below a dew point temperature of the feed gas stream
Implementation Method 2
A return vapor expansion device has an inlet configured to receive the return vapor stream from the return vapor outlet of the scrub device. The return vapor expansion device also has an outlet in communication with an inlet of the return vapor passage of the heat exchanger. The return vapor expansion device is configured so that a pressure and a temperature of the return vapor stream exiting the vapor outlet of the scrub device are lowered
Implementation Method 3
The return vapor passage and the reflux cooling passage of the heat exchanger are 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 4
cooling the feed gas stream to a temperature below a dew point temperature of the feed gas stream so that the freezing components are condensed and removed from the cooled feed gas stream in the scrub device
Data Source
AI summary
A system for removing freezing components from a feed gas includes a heavy hydrocarbon removal heat exchanger and a scrub device. The scrub device includes a scrub column that receives a cooled feed gas stream from the heat exchanger and a reflux separation device. Vapor from the scrub column is directed to the heat exchanger and cooled to create a reflux stream that includes a liquid component. This reflux stream is directed to the reflux separation device and a resulting liquid component stream is used to reflux the column. Vapor from the reflux separation device is expanded and directed to the heat exchanger, where it provides refrigeration, and a processed feed gas line.