By Reduction Of Pressure (e.g., Flashing, Etc.) Patents (Class 95/192)
  • Patent number: 11097220
    Abstract: A method of stripping carbon dioxide from a stream of natural gas to be used in the production of liquid natural gas (LNG) comprises the steps of: passing a stream of natural gas through a stripping column; injecting a stripping agent into the stripping column, the stripping agent stripping carbon dioxide from the stream of natural gas and exiting the stripping column as a liquid phase; passing the stripping agent exiting the stripping column through a regenerator column to generate a carbon dioxide gas stream and a recovered stripping agent stream; and cooling the recovered stripping agent stream using a cryogenic vapour generated in the production of LNG and injecting the cooled, recovered stripping agent stream into the stripping column as the stripping agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignees: 1304338 Alberta Ltd., 1304342 Alberta Ltd.
    Inventors: Jose Lourenco, MacKenzie Millar
  • Patent number: 10933367
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for regenerating a hybrid solvent used to remove contaminants from a fluid stream and to provide an improved yield of purified fluid. Said process comprises at least one purification unit (12) and at least one regeneration unit (40) wherein condensed water (72) from the regeneration unit is combined with the regenerated lean hybrid solvent (55) prior to reuse in the purification unit and none of the condensed water is recycled into the regeneration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: John R. Dowdle, Christophe R. Laroche, Diego Ortiz Vega, Linda L. Pirtle
  • Patent number: 9328292
    Abstract: A method for improving efficiency of sponge absorption includes providing cold flash drum liquid to an inlet of a cold stripper to produce a cold stripper net overhead vapor stream rich in liquid petroleum gas, and separately providing hot flash drum liquid to an inlet of a hot stripper to produce a hot stripper net overhead vapor stream rich in hydrogen. The cold stripper net overhead vapor stream and the hot stripper net overhead vapor stream are separately routed to a sponge absorber to recover a liquid petroleum gas output stream using sponge oil. In particular, the cold stripper net overhead vapor stream and the hot stripper net overhead vapor stream are separately routed to the sponge absorber at different tray locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Kiran Ladkat, Neeraj Tiwari
  • Patent number: 8945292
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a gas purification system is provided. The system includes a first section having a first solvent path and a first gas path. The first gas path is configured to flow a stripping gas to remove hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon dioxide (CO2) from the first solvent path in a first vessel to produce a first gas mixture. The system also includes a second section having a second solvent path. The second solvent path is configured to flow a second solvent mixture to remove H2S from the first gas mixture and CO2 from the second solvent mixture within a second vessel. The second solvent mixture has a solvent saturated in CO2 at a first pressure, the second vessel is operated at a second pressure, and the first and second pressures are within approximately 20% of one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Judith Pauline Oppenheim, Anindra Mazumdar
  • Patent number: 8900355
    Abstract: Impure carbon dioxide (“CO2”) comprising a first contaminant selected from the group consisting of oxygen (“O2”) and carbon monoxide (“CO”) is purified by separating expanded impure carbon dioxide liquid in a mass transfer separation column system. The impure carbon dioxide may be derived from, for example, flue gas from an oxyfuel combustion process or waste gas from a hydrogen (“H2”) PSA system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent White, Rodney John Allam
  • Patent number: 8871008
    Abstract: Capturing a target gas includes contacting a gas mixture including a target species with an aqueous solution including a buffer species, and transferring some of the target species from the gas mixture to the aqueous solution. The target species forms a dissolved target species in the aqueous solution, and the aqueous solution is processed to yield a first aqueous stream and a second aqueous stream, where the equilibrium partial pressure of the target species over the second aqueous stream exceeds the equilibrium partial pressure of the target species over the first aqueous stream. At least some of the dissolved target species in the second aqueous stream is converted to the target species, and the target species is liberated from the second aqueous stream. The target species can be collected and/or compressed for subsequent processing or use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Carbon Engineering Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Matthew Alex Henderson, David William Keith, Arvinder Pal Singh Kainth, Kenton Robert Heidel, Jane Anne Ritchie
  • Patent number: 8845788
    Abstract: A syngas treatment plant is configured to remove sulfurous compounds from syngas in a configuration having two flash stages for a physical solvent to so enrich the acid gas to at least 40 mol % H2S or higher as required by the Claus unit and to flash and recycle CO2 back to the syngas feed. Contemplated methods and configurations advantageously remove sulfur to less than 10 ppmv while increasing H2S selectivity at high pressure operation to thereby allow production of an H2S stream that is suitable as feed gas to a Claus plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: John Mak
  • Patent number: 8840708
    Abstract: A method for recovering methane gas from a landfill involves the use of a main absorber, a flash system, an ancillary absorber and a polishing absorber. The main absorber uses a main current of solvent for absorbing most of the carbon dioxide from raw landfill gas. The flash system removes much of the carbon dioxide from the solvent exiting the main absorber. A portion of the solvent downstream of the flash system is diverted to the ancillary absorber in which a current of air removes additional carbon dioxide from that portion of solvent. From the ancillary absorber, the diverted portion of solvent flows through the polishing absorber to remove additional carbon dioxide from the main current of solvent that was previously treated in the main absorber. To increase the energy content of the processed gas, in some examples, propane is added to the final outgoing gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Inventors: David C. Morrow, Paul D. Morrow, Luke N. Morrow
  • Patent number: 8696797
    Abstract: A method for removing CO2 from a pressurized gas stream with the effluent CO2 remaining at system pressure or higher is disclosed. Specifically, the removal method provides near isothermal absorption of CO2 from a gas stream in a suitable solvent at an elevated pressure and relatively low temperature. The solvent is then removed from contact with the gas stream, and the temperature is increased to such an extent that the CO2 will flash from the solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Raymond Douglas Steele
  • Patent number: 8696798
    Abstract: Acid gas is removed from a feed gas using a physical solvent that is regenerated using successive flashing stages after heating of the rich solvent using low-level waste heat that is preferably produced or available within the acid gas removal plant. Especially preferred waste heat sources include compressor discharges of the refrigeration system and/or recompression system for CO2, and/or (low level) heat content from the feed gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: John Mak
  • Patent number: 8591631
    Abstract: A method of assembling an acid gas component reduction system includes coupling at least one acid removal system in flow communication with at least one first synthetic gas (syngas) stream with at least one acid gas component having a first acid gas component concentration. The method also includes coupling at least one integral absorber in flow communication with the at least one acid removal system. The method further includes configuring the at least one integral absorber such that substantially continuous service of the at least one integral absorber facilitates producing a second syngas stream having a second acid gas component concentration that is less than the first acid gas component concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sachin Naphad, Pradeep Thacker
  • Patent number: 8540803
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a natural gas or an industrial gas that contains acidic gas components, wherein gas drying is followed by the 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, loaded with water, is transferred into a solvent regenerating device to be heated where the water contained in the solvent is stripped from the solvent in the countercurrent by acidic gas that is removed from the dried useful gas during the acidic gas absorption. The acidic gas being released again in the acidic gas solvent regenerating device, stripped from the solvent, and discharged from the solvent regenerating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: ThyssenKrupp Uhde GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Menzel
  • Patent number: 8518155
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing carbon dioxide from a synthesis gas stream containing hydrogen is disclosed. The method includes absorbing the carbon dioxide using a physical solvent under high pressure and then liberating the carbon dioxide in a series of expansion stages where the pressure on the solvent is reduced. The expansion ratio increases with each expansion stage. The apparatus includes expansion stages having throttling devices and expansion tanks operated at increasing expansion ratios. Carbon dioxide is liberated in this manner so as to minimize the energy required compress for transport via a pipe line for sequestration of the gas. Sequestration of the carbon dioxide is preferred to atmospheric venting to curb the release of greenhouse gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: John Eugene Palamara, Kevin Boyle Fogash
  • Patent number: 8475571
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a gas purification system is provided. The system includes a first solvent section having a first carbon dioxide (CO2) absorber, a hydrogen sulfide (H2S) absorber, and a first solvent path that routes a first solvent through the first CO2 absorber and the H2S absorber. The gas purification system also includes a second solvent section having a second carbon dioxide (CO2) absorber and a second solvent path that flows a second solvent through the second CO2 absorber. The gas purification system has a gas path though the first and second solvent sections, wherein the first and second solvent paths are separate from one another, and the first and second solvents are different from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Judith Pauline Oppenheim, Anindra Mazumdar
  • Patent number: 8475566
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recovery of carbon dioxide from a gas stream. The method is a two-step method in which carbon dioxide is compressed in the first step, while the residual carbon dioxide is recovered by an absorption process in a subsequent step. The present invention also relates to the use of the method for the recovery of carbon dioxide and a plant for recovery of carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Union Engineering A/S
    Inventor: Rasmus Find
  • Patent number: 8460431
    Abstract: A method for regenerating an amine-containing scrubbing solution which is obtained during gas purification and in which CO2 and sulfur compounds are chemically bonded, as well as a system that is suitable for carrying out the method. The contaminated scrubbing solution is heated, compressed, and expanded in several stages such that CO2 and sulfur compounds are separated. The expanded scrubbing solution is subdivided into two partial streams, and one partial stream is recirculated into the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: MT-Biomethan GmbH
    Inventor: Lothar Günther
  • Patent number: 8361201
    Abstract: The hydrogen sulphide content of natural gas obtained from the extraction of sour-gas containing crude oil/ natural gas mixtures, is reduced by reducing the high pressure of a raw crude oil/ natural gas mixture to 70-130 bar, separating an outgassing raw gas from the crude oil, cooling the outgassed raw gas and simultaneously drawing off a liquid medium which condenses from the outgassing raw gas during cooling. The outgassed raw gas is subjected, after pressure reduction, to gas scrubbing by a physically active solvent. The laden solvent is directed to at least one pressure reduction step to obtain H2S outgas from the solvent. The pressure of the crude oil is further reduced in two subsequent steps to 20-40 bar and 2-15 bar and additional H2S rich raw gas streams are separated from the crude oil which outgas therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: UHDE GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Menzel, Georg Saecker
  • Patent number: 8303684
    Abstract: A pressurized gaseous mixture acidic gas and a useful gas is directly in a first absorption column with a physically acting absorption agent. Then the absorption agent loaded with the acid gas and useful gas is subdivided into first and second streams. The first stream is fed directly to a recycle flash container and there decompressed to reclaim the useful gas, extract the acidic gas from the absorption agent, and form a recycled gas containing the useful gas and acidic gas. The second stream is through a second absorption column to the recycle flash container. Some of the recycled gas from the recycle flash container is compressed and fed through the second absorption column so as to therein directly contact the second stream, and then the recycle gas that has passed through the second absorption column and contacted the second stream is returned to the gaseous mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: UHDE GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Menzel
  • Patent number: 8257476
    Abstract: A first contaminant selected from oxygen and carbon monoxide is removed from impure liquid carbon dioxide using a mass transfer separation column system which is reboiled by indirect heat exchange against crude carbon dioxide fluid, the impure liquid carbon dioxide having a greater concentration of carbon dioxide than the crude carbon dioxide fluid. The invention has particular application in the recovery of carbon dioxide from flue gas generated in an oxyfuel combustion process or waste gas from a hydrogen PSA process. Advantages include reducing the level of the first contaminant to not more than 1000 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent White, Rodney John Allam
  • Patent number: 8252091
    Abstract: In a system involving CO2 capture having an acid gas removal system to selectively remove CO2 from shifted syngas, the acid gas removal system including at least one stage, e.g. a flash tank, for CO2 removal from an input stream of dissolved carbon dioxide in physical solvent, the method of recovering CO2 in the acid gas removal system including: elevating a pressure of the stream of dissolved carbon dioxide in physical solvent; and elevating the temperature of the pressurized stream upstream of at least one CO2 removal stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ashok Kumar Anand, Chetan Madhav Joshi, Jegadeesan Maruthamuthu
  • Patent number: 8202349
    Abstract: A method for processing pre-combustion syngas includes, in an exemplary embodiment, providing an absorber unit having a membrane contactor having a plurality of micro-pores, channeling pre-combustion syngas along a first surface of the membrane contactor, channeling an amine based solvent along a second opposing surface of the membrane contactor, and contacting the solvent with the syngas such that the solvent and the syngas contact at gas-liquid interface areas, defined by the plurality of micro-pores in the membrane contactor, to separate CO2 from the flue gas by a chemical absorption of CO2 into the solvent to produce a solvent containing CO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Jennifer Lynn Molaison
  • Patent number: 7967896
    Abstract: The invention provides a process and system for regenerating a solvent used to remove carbon dioxide from feed gases, such as natural gas and synthesis gas. The invention employs one or more hydraulic turbochargers to transfer energy from a higher energy solvent stream to a lower energy solvent stream. This provides for a significant reduction in operating expenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: William J. Lechnick, Nagaraju Palla, Paul A. Sechrist, Lamar A. Davis, Michael R. Van de Cotte
  • Patent number: 7935178
    Abstract: The invention provides a process and system for regenerating a solvent used to remove carbon dioxide from feed gases, such as natural gas and synthesis gas. The process and system employ a biphasic turbine to recover energy following pressure let down.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: William J. Lechnick, Paul A. Sechrist, Douglas E. Kuper, Lamar A. Davis
  • Patent number: 7901487
    Abstract: An acid gas such as carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, or a mixture thereof is removed from gaseous streams using aqueous absorption and stripping processes. By replacing the conventional stripper used to regenerate the aqueous solvent and capture the acid gas with a multipressure stripper (51) that combines acid gas compression with stripping, less energy is consumed. The multipressure stripper is a multistage flash (52, 55, 59) in which the total vapor flow from each stage is compressed and fed to the bottom of the previous flash stage at a higher pressure. In this process, the heat in the water content of the vapor exiting each stage is utilized at a higher pressure in the previous stage. The described stripping process generates the acid gas at a higher pressure without operating the stripper at a higher temperature, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventor: Gary T. Rochelle
  • Patent number: 7850763
    Abstract: Impure carbon dioxide (“CO2”) comprising a first contaminant selected from the group consisting of oxygen (“O2”) and carbon monoxide (“CO”) is purified by separating expanded impure carbon dioxide liquid in a mass transfer separation column system. The impure carbon dioxide may be derived from, for example, flue gas from an oxyfuel combustion process or waste gas from a hydrogen (“H2”) PSA system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent White, Rodney John Allam
  • Patent number: 7833317
    Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for control of emission of volatile gases (VOC) from a holding tank (80) for crude oil during unloading, loading and transport/holding of the oil, such as in an oil tank on board an oil tanker, in which a blanket gas is used to regulate pressure and amount of combustible gas and to prevent ingress of oxygen into the mentioned holding tank for crude oil. The system comprises a recovery device (50) for recovery of hydrocarbon gas from the holding tank (80) for crude oil, a storage tank (18) for liquid hydrocarbons under pressure, supplied from the recovery device (50), and that liquid hydrocarbons are fed to an evaporation device (70) set up to convert liquid hydrocarbons to gas form, for use as blanket gas in a holding tank (80) for crude oil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Inventor: Inge Sverre Lund Nilsen
  • Patent number: 7819951
    Abstract: A first contaminant selected from oxygen and carbon monoxide is removed from impure liquid carbon dioxide using a mass transfer separation column system which is reboiled by indirect heat exchange against crude carbon dioxide fluid, the impure liquid carbon dioxide having a greater concentration of carbon dioxide than the crude carbon dioxide fluid. The invention has particular application in the recovery of carbon dioxide from flue gas generated in an oxyfuel combustion process or waste gas from a hydrogen PSA process. Advantages include reducing the level of the first contaminant to not more than 1000 ppm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent White, Rodney John Allam
  • Patent number: 7811361
    Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for increasing an efficiency of an acid gas removal zone. The process can include sending a sour gas stream including at least one gas to a first absorber providing an overhead stream absorbing the at least one gas; withdrawing a side-stream from the first absorber and passing the side-stream through a holding tank, a side-stream fluid transfer device, and a side-stream chiller before returning the side-stream to the absorber; and passing the first absorber overhead stream to a pump-around circuit for a second absorber. Usually, the pump-around circuit may include a flash drum, a pump-around fluid transfer device and a pump-around chiller before providing a slipstream to the first absorber and another portion to the second absorber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: William J. Lechnick, Lamar A. Davis, David Alden Bahr, Carla F. Roberts
  • Patent number: 7714180
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for recovering product from reactor effluent of a reactor for a hydrocarbon feedstream is disclosed. An indigenous C4 stream is used as lean oil in a demethanizer, which facilitates significant cost and operational savings. C4 bottoms from a downstream depropanizer is used as lean oil recycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: David J Duhon, John E Asplin
  • Patent number: 6984257
    Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for use with a natural gas dehydrator. The apparatus and method of the invention provide for recirculation of gaseous or combustible materials so that they are not released into the atmosphere and to provide fuel for the process. Likewise, liquid hydrocarbons are collected. Various components, including separators, an absorber, wet glycol, dry glycol, an effluent condenser, heat exchangers, and a reboiler are utilized in accordance with the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Inventors: Rodney T. Heath, Forrest D. Heath
  • Patent number: 6793712
    Abstract: A pretreatment system for natural gas liquefaction employing heat integration for more efficient and effective natural gas temperature control. The pretreatment system expands the natural gas prior to acid gas removal. After acid gas removal, the natural gas is cooled by indirect heat exchange with the expanded natural gas located upstream of the acid gas removal system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventor: Wesley R. Qualls
  • Patent number: 6605138
    Abstract: A method for removing residual VOC components from a fluid stream used in the sweetening of sour gas at gas processing plants. In a retrofit configuration, the method includes interposing a supplemental VOC removal station after a primary VOC removal station in an absorbent fluid stream. The absorbent fluid stream incorporates fluid into which sour gas components and VOC have been absorbed from a treated gas stream such as produced natural gas. The primary VOC removal station is configured to remove an initial portion of the absorbed VOC from the absorbent fluid stream. The supplemental VOC removal station is configured to liberate a portion of residual absorbed VOC remaining in the absorbent fluid stream downstream from the primary VOC removal station. Further, the supplemental VOC removal station is configured to avoid liberating absorbed sour gas components from the absorbent fluid stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Inventor: Matthew T. Frondorf
  • Patent number: 6533843
    Abstract: Scrubber liquid from an ethylene oxide process rich in bicarbonate and dissolved ethylene is flashed in two stages to separate ethylene containing vapor from bicarbonate rich solution reduced in ethylene content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2003
    Assignee: Scientific Design Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Billig, Chun Chan
  • Publication number: 20020178918
    Abstract: In a process intended for dehydration/fractionation of a wet natural gas containing <<heavy>> constituents and <<light>> constituents, in the presence of methanol, which comprises at least the following stages
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Fabrice Lecomte, Beatrice Fischer, Jean-Charles Viltard
  • Publication number: 20020178917
    Abstract: The loaded wash liquid contains H 2 S, CO, H 2 , CO 2 , nickel carbonyl and/or iron carbonyl. Carbon monoxide is initially and partially removed from the loaded wash liquid and the wash liquid which is low in CO is conducted through a reaction and settling zone. Sludge containing nickel and/or iron sulfide is extracted from the reaction and settling zone and the wash liquid is conducted to a heat regeneration device The regenerated wash liquid can be re-utilized for desulfurization purposes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: GERHARD GRUNEWALD, UWE ZWIEFELHOFER
  • Patent number: 6488742
    Abstract: Process for the removal of metal cabonyls before regeneration of a desulfurization wash liquid, which includes removing a part of the carbon monoxide from the wash liquid, conversion of the metal carbonyls to metal sulfides, passing the wash liquid through a reaction and settling zone, removing metal sulfide-containing sludge from the reaction and settling zone, and regenerating the wash liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Metallgesellschaft AG
    Inventors: Gerhard Grünewald, Uwe Zwiefelhofer
  • Publication number: 20020059865
    Abstract: Process for treating a gas containing acid gases, wherein:
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventors: Eric Lemaire, Jean-Charles Viltard
  • Patent number: 6210467
    Abstract: A system for cleaning a carbon dioxide gas stream of water soluble contaminants with improved recovery of carbon dioxide wherein the water soluble contaminants are removed into countercurrently flowing water which undergoes at least one pressure reduction step releasing absorbed carbon dioxide for recapture and recycle into the carbon dioxide gas stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Praxair Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Henry Edward Howard
  • Patent number: 6120582
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for treating the scrubbing water from the gas scrubbing process in an iron ore reduction plant. The scrubbing water is brought into direct contact with the gas in two gas scrubbers arranged in two successive scrubbing stages at the gas-side, is withdrawn from the gas scrubbers and is supplied again to the gas scrubbers after the solids it contains are separated, and after it is treated and cooled. The scrubbing water is separately withdrawn from the two scrubbing stages and only the scrubbing water from the first scrubbing stage is largely freed from solids in a thickener, then led into a warm water container. The scrubbing water from the second scrubbing stage is directly led into a return water container in which it releases carbon dioxide-rich flash gas led into the scrubbing water in the warm water container to enrich it with carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Deutsche Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH
    Inventor: Bogdan Vuletic
  • Patent number: 6102987
    Abstract: A process for the removal of CO.sub.2 and sulfur compounds from natural gas and raw synthesis gas wherein N-formylmorpholine and N-acetylmorpholine mixtures are used as the desorbent at temperatures between -20.degree. C. and +40.degree. C. at pressures of 10 to 150 bar in a scrubbing operation. The acid gases are removed from the absorbent by flashing and the regenerated absorbent is recycled to the absorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2000
    Assignee: Krupp Uhde GmbH
    Inventors: Manfred Gross, Barbel Kolbe, Johannes Menzel, Werner Pohl
  • Patent number: 6004379
    Abstract: A scrubbing tower and high pressure settler assembly, and the process for using same to remove particulates from a hot partial oxidation gas stream is disclosed. The scrubbing tower and high pressure settler assembly has a dip tube, a bottom portion, a top portion, and a high pressure settler. The dip tube transports partial oxidation gas from an injection point on the exterior of the scrubbing tower into a volume of water contained in the bottom portion of the scrubbing tower. A blowdown port capable of removing particulate matter is connected to the bottom portion of the assembly. A series of trays is provided in the top portion of the scrubbing tower. The top portion of the scrubbing tower also has inlet ports for receiving water and an outlet port for releasing the scrubbed partial oxidation gas. The use of the high pressure settler facilitates higher particulate settling rates as well as higher scrubbing efficiencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Texaco Inc.
    Inventors: Paul S. Wallace, M. Kay Anderson, DeLome D. Fair
  • Patent number: 5861051
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the separation of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from gases using a promoted methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) solution. In one broad respect, this invention is a gas separation process, including contacting an aqueous treating solution with a sour gas stream that contains carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide under conditions such that the gas stream is sweetened, wherein the aqueous treating solution contains methyldiethanol amine and 2-(2-aminoethoxy)ethanol in a ratio of at least about 2:1; and wherein the process is conducted in the absence of a reclamation step. By practice of this invention, the amount of 2-(2-aminoethoxy)ethanol that is converted to urea(bis-(2-hydroxyethoxyethyl)urea (BHEEU)) is minimized which obviates the need for a reclamation (regeneration) unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1999
    Assignee: Huntsman Petrochemical Corporation
    Inventors: James E. Critchfield, Wei-Yang Su, Thomas J. Kenney, Patrick E. Holub
  • Patent number: 5782958
    Abstract: A process for the dehydration, deacidification and stripping of a gas, characterized in that:(a) at least one fraction of the gas is contacted with an aqueous phase containing methanol, the resultant gas being thus charged with methanol being withdrawn from stage (a);(b) the gas withdrawn from stage (a) is contacted with a mixture of solvents comprising methanol, water, and a solvent heavier than methanol, the gas leaving stage (b) being thus at least in part freed of the acid gases which it contained initially;(c) the mixture of solvent obtained from stage (b) is at least in part generated by special reduction and/or heating while liberating at least part of the acid gases, the mixture of solvent being at least partially regenerated, or being at the outlet of stage (c) recycled through stage (b); and(d) the gas obtained from (stage b) is refrigerated while producing at least an aqueous phase containing methanol which is at least in part recycled through stage (a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1998
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Alexandre Rojey, Etienne Lebas, Joseph Larue, Ari Minkkinen
  • Patent number: 5766423
    Abstract: A gas drying method is disclosed in which gas streams are dehydrated to low dew points by contacting the wet gas with a dry liquid desiccant, with the liquid desiccant regenerated by heating it in a reboiler containing an internal reboiler vapor condenser and stripping it with a stripping agent that is dried with solid desiccant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 16, 1998
    Assignee: OPC Engineering
    Inventor: Robert Sherwood Smith
  • Patent number: 5741350
    Abstract: Hydrocarbons are recovered from the product purge gas in an alkene polymerization process by absorption of heavier hydrocarbons from the purge gas by an intermediate hydrocarbon stream to yield a vapor rich in inert gas and alkene monomer. Alkene monomer is condensed and rectified by dephlegmation at low temperatures from the inert gas, flashed and vaporized to provide refrigeration for the condensation step, and recycled to the polymerization process. The intermediate hydrocarbon from the absorption step is recycled to the polymerization process. Optionally a portion of the inert gas is reused for purge gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1998
    Assignee: Air Products And Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard Charles Rowles, Lee Jarvis Howard
  • Patent number: 5735936
    Abstract: The process comprises a cold absorption step 2 for removing acid gas from natural gas using a solvent phase at a pressure P.sub.2 which delivers a purified gas 5; a step for depressurizing and separating resultant acidic solvent phase containing hydrocarbons (lines 4, 11), at a pressure P.sub.12 which is lower than pressure P.sub.2 in a column-heat exchanger 12 which delivers a purified gaseous effluent 13 overhead and a further solvent phase at the bottom (line 17) which is enriched in hydrogen sulphide; and a solvent phase regeneration step carried out in a distillation column 18 at a pressure P.sub.18 and no higher than pressure P.sub.12. A gas 29 containing essentially hydrogen sulphide which is depleted in hydrocarbons is recovered from column 18 and is a suitable feed for a Claus plant for eliminating H.sub.2 S. The regenerated hot solvent phase 20 indirectly exchanges heat with the cold acidic solvent phase from absorber 2 or separator 6. It is then recycled to the absorbent after cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1998
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Ari Minkkinen, Joseph Larue, Pierre Capron
  • Patent number: 5643421
    Abstract: A gas drying method is disclosed in which gas streams are dehydrated to low dew points by contacting the wet gas with a dry liquid desiccant, with the liquid desiccant regenerated by heating it and stripping it with a stripping agent that is dried with solid desiccant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Assignee: OPC Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Sherwood Smith
  • Patent number: 5551972
    Abstract: An absorption process for separating a feed gas stream having components with a spectrum of volatilities including volatile (light) components, intermediate volatility components, and least volatile (heavy) components. The disclosed process includes the steps of: (1) contacting the feed gas stream with an internally generated liquid lean solvent stream in an absorber to produce a light product gas stream that is composed of predominantly light components and a rich solvent stream containing most of the intermediate and heavy components; (2) flashing the rich solvent stream at reduced pressure in a flash zone to produce an intermediate product gas stream composed predominantly of intermediate components and a lean solvent stream; (3) conveying the lean solvent stream from the flashing zone to the absorber, wherein the lean solvent is composed predominantly of heavy components supplied from the feed; the process does not use an external lean solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Advanced Extraction Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn C. Wood, Yuv R. Mehra
  • Patent number: 5490873
    Abstract: An improved process for the glycol dehydration of water-containing natural gas comprises contacting the natural gas and glycol in a contacting zone to produce a dried natural gas and a water-rich glycol, and heating the water-rich glycol in a regeneration zone to produce a water-lean glycol for reintroduction into the contacting zone and a water-containing gaseous overhead. The gaseous overhead is partially condensed and the resulting gaseous components are returned to the contacting zone. In a preferred embodiment, the glycol is further purified by contact in a separate stripping column with dry stripping gas under a pressure lower than that of the regeneration zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1996
    Assignee: Bryan Research & Engineering, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven D. Behrens, Jerry A. Bullin
  • Patent number: 5462583
    Abstract: An absorption process for separating a feed gas stream having components with a spectrum of volatilities including volatile (light) components, intermediate volatility components, and least volatile (heavy) components. The disclosed process includes the steps of: (1) contacting the feed gas stream with a liquid lean solvent stream in an absorber to produce a light product gas stream that is composed of predominantly light components and a rich solvent stream containing most of the intermediate and heavy components; (2) flashing the rich solvent stream at reduced pressure in a flash zone to produce an intermediate product gas stream composed predominantly of intermediate components and a lean solvent stream; (3) conveying the lean solvent stream from the flashing zone to the absorber, wherein the lean solvent is composed predominantly of heavy components taken from the feed; the process does not use an external lean solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: Advanced Extraction Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Glenn C. Wood, Yuv R. Mehra