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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: Methods and systems for handling sour carbon dioxide (CO2) streams are provided. In one aspect, a method for sequestering an emissions-heavy gas includes removing at least a portion of an acid gas from a rich solvent in an acid gas stripper to create the emissions-heavy gas, and channeling the emissions-heavy gas to a storage system.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: There is provided a device for diverting liquid from a pipeline, and particularly for use with multi-phase flows where separation of liquid from gas is required. The device comprises a first conduit (50), a second conduit (52) connected across at least part of the first conduit, and means (80) for controlling flow of liquid from the first conduit through the second conduit by use of hydrostatic pressure. The first conduit is provided with an inlet (56) at substantially right angles to the first conduit. The second conduit further comprises an annulus (58) extending inwards from an inner wall of the first conduit and a lip (60) extending upwards from an inner circumference of the annulus. A number of embodiments of the device are described. The device is also suitable for fitting to flow meters to extend their range of operation.

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.

Abstract: Contaminated glycol is refined by vacuum distillation. Specifically the evaporator is heated to a temperature below the degradation temperature of the glycol. The vacuum is used to bring the flashpoint down sufficiently so that glycol evaporates or flashes at that temperature. The glycol is condensed and filtered through activated granular carbon. The principal use of refining the glycol is to refine the triethylene glycol used in natural gas dehydration plants. For such purposes the equipment is mounted upon a trailer to be taken to the plant for cleaning glycol. In such instance, in addition to refining the glycol, a cleaning agent (which contains a degreaser) is added to the refined glycol. The glycol is refined while the natural gas dehydration plant is in normal operation and therefore it is not necessary to stop the natural gas dehydration plant for refining the glycol used therein.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus for treating water and other liquids by removing minerals in solution and entrained gases. The entrained gases are forced into the atmosphere, while the minerals are returned to agglomerated solids for ease in removal using settling or filtration. The opposed vortex nozzle unit of the present invention collides a pair of fluid streams in a manner that the bonds holding the gases and minerals in the water are broken, thus, allowing the gases to escape and the minerals to agglomerate. The vortex nozzle tubes of the present invention are provided with slots which remove a small portion of the fluid streams as they flow through the nozzle tubes. The removed water is returned at a location beyond the impingement point of the two streams in order to enhance the removal of gases and agglomeration of minerals in solution.