Thiol Oxidation Vessel with Sintered Steel Mixer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sulfur removal processes in hydrocarbon streams are inefficient due to large air droplets reducing contact area, requiring multiple vessels and increased plot space, and failing to meet stringent sulfur specifications without additional equipment.
Innovation Solution
A process involving an oxidation vessel with packing elements and a dynamic in-line sintered steel fluid mixer to introduce smaller air bubbles into the alkaline stream, combined with a separation vessel using coated meshes, reduces the number of vessels needed and enhances sulfur removal efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If air is added through a tee in a line, then the process is simple, but the air droplets are large and contact area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a porous distributor plate with multiple small holes to atomize air into fine droplets. This porous structure replaces the simple tee connection, creating extensive contact area between air and caustic stream while maintaining relatively simple device architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes fluid dynamics principles by introducing air through a distributor plate into a flowing caustic stream. The hydraulic design ensures proper mixing and contact between phases, optimizing mass transfer efficiency through controlled fluid flow patterns.
2Reliability
If multiple vessels are used for separation and scrubbing, then sulfur removal efficiency is improved, but plot space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separation functions into a single vertical vessel. The disulfide separator, wash oil settler, and vent gas scrubber are integrated into one unit, achieving the same sulfur removal efficiency as multiple separate vessels while occupying significantly less plot space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a horizontal arrangement of multiple vessels to a vertical configuration. By utilizing the vertical dimension, the integrated separator achieves the functional equivalent of multiple horizontal vessels without requiring corresponding horizontal space.
3Manufacturing precision
If disulfide oil is sent to filter or water wash, then caustic removal is improved, but additional vessels are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the wash oil settling function directly into the disulfide separator vessel. The wash oil is introduced and contacts the disulfide oil layer within the same vessel, achieving effective caustic removal without requiring a separate filter or water wash unit.
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 plot space requirements, allows for direct downstream processing of disulfide oil, and effectively meets sulfur specifications with fewer vessels, improving contact efficiency and reducing operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The sintered steel fluid mixer may be a dynamic in-line sparger to introduce air into the caustic. Hence, smaller bubbles of air can be mixed into the caustic, providing a more efficient contacting of oxygen and caustic.
Implementation Method 2
passing a mixed stream having the alkaline stream to an oxidation vessel having a body and a neck. Often, the body contains one or more packing elements
Implementation Method 3
passing an oxidized alkaline stream to a separation vessel containing a first chamber and a second chamber. Usually, the first chamber contains a coated mesh.
Data Source
AI summary
One exemplary embodiment can be a process for oxidizing one or more thiol compounds from an alkaline stream. The process may include passing a mixed stream having the alkaline stream to an oxidation vessel having a body and a neck. Often, the body contains one or more packing elements and the neck contains a packing, a distributor, and a mesh. The process can further include passing an oxidized alkaline stream to a separation vessel containing a first chamber and a second chamber. Usually, the first chamber contains a coated mesh.