By Reduction Of Pressure (e.g., Flashing, Etc.) Patents (Class 95/172)
  • Patent number: 7699914
    Abstract: A method of using a triple-effect absorption system to recover methane from landfill gas contaminated with CO2 and trace contaminates such as chlorinated hydrocarbons and aromatics involves processing the landfill gas with three absorbers and a flash system. One absorber uses a solvent to absorb the trace contaminants from the landfill gas, the second absorber in conjunction with the flash system extracts CO2 from the gas, and just a first portion of that CO2 is used for stripping the trace contaminates from the solvent in the third absorber. The rest of the extracted CO2 is vented to atmosphere to prevent dampening the combustion of the trace contaminants absorbed by the first portion of CO2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Inventors: Luke N. Morrow, Paul D. Morrow, David C. Morrow
  • Patent number: 7699908
    Abstract: A method for displacing acid gas constituents from natural gas to acid gas removal installations equipped with Claus installations with free capacities utilizes a portion of the acid gas which is removed from a first flow of natural gas containing acid gas. The acid gas removed from the first flow of natural gas is fed to at least one other acid gas removal installation, whereby this feeding results in the acid gas removed from the first flow of natural gas being mixed with at least one second flow of natural gas with which it is transported to at least one other acid gas removal installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: UHDE GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Menzel
  • Patent number: 7662215
    Abstract: A method for removing sulfur-containing compounds is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes selectively separating a feed stream (118) comprising carbon dioxide and one or more sulfur-containing compounds, including hydrogen sulfide, at conditions sufficient to produce a first stream (122) comprising carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide and a second stream (124) comprising carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. A molar ratio of carbon dioxide to hydrogen sulfide in the first stream is greater than a molar ratio of carbon dioxide to hydrogen sulfide in the second stream, and a molar ratio of hydrogen sulfide in the first stream to hydrogen sulfide in the second stream is about 0.005 or more.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company
    Inventors: Christopher W. Sparling, P. Scott Northrop, Johnny E. Johnson, Jagannathan N. Iyengar, Barry M. Friedman
  • Publication number: 20100024645
    Abstract: Methods of using microchannel separation systems including absorbents to improve thermal efficiency and reduce parasitic power loss. Energy is typically added to desorb a solute and then energy or heat is removed to absorb a solute using a working solution. The working solution or absorbent may comprise an ionic liquid, or other fluids that demonstrate a difference in affinity between a solute and other gases in a solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventors: Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Robert D. Litt, Ravi Arora, Qiu Dongming, Micheal Jay Lamont, Maddalena Fanelli, Wayne W. Simmons, Laura J. Silva, Steven Perry
  • Publication number: 20090320682
    Abstract: The invention relates to an absorbent, comprising an aqueous solution (A) of at least one amino acid salt of the formula (I), wherein R1 and R2 independently from each other represent alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, R is hydrogen, alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, or a group R together with R1 is alkylene, M is an alkali metal, and n an integer from 1 to 6, and (B) of at least one primary alkanolamine, which is substantially free of inorganic alkaline salts. The absorbent is used in a method for removing carbon dioxide from a gas flow, particularly combustion exhaust gases. Preferred amino acid salts (A) are N,N-dimethylamino acetic acid potassium salt, N,N-diethylamino acetic acid potassium salt and N-ethyl-N-dimethylamino acetic acid-potassium salt. Preferred alkanolamines (B) are 2-aminoethanol, 3-aminopropanol, 4-aminobutanol, 2-aminobutanol, 5-aminopentanol, 2-aminopentanol and 2-(2-aminoethoxy)ethanol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2007
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: BASF SE Patents, Trademarks and Licenses
    Inventors: Rupert Wagner, Ute Lichtfers, Volker Schuda
  • Patent number: 7638058
    Abstract: A method of storing and dispensing a fluid includes providing a vessel configured for selective dispensing of the fluid therefrom. The vessel contains an ionic liquid therein. The fluid is contacted with the ionic liquid for take-up of the fluid by the ionic liquid. There is substantially no chemical change in the ionic liquid and the fluid. The fluid is released from the ionic liquid and dispensed from the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2009
    Assignee: Matheson Tri-Gas
    Inventors: Carrie L. Wyse, Robert Torres, Jr., Tadaharu Watanabe, Joseph V. Vininski
  • Publication number: 20090233351
    Abstract: In order to control bubble removal or mixing in a flow channel, bubble transfer between flow channels (1, 2) is controlled by disposing first flow channel (1) for flow of a first fluid of liquid or gas and second flow channel (2) for flow of a second fluid of liquid with, interposed therebetween, gas exchange unit (5) through which while no liquid can pass, a gas component can be transferred, and by providing a pressure difference between the flow channels (1, 2) with the gas exchange unit (5). By rendering the pressure of the second flow channel (2) higher than that of the first flow channel (1), any bubble transfer from the first fluid to the second fluid is prevented, or bubbles within the second fluid are transferred into the first fluid to thereby attain deaeration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2005
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventor: Masakazu Akechi
  • Publication number: 20090199711
    Abstract: A description is given of a process for removing carbon dioxide from gas streams in which the partial pressure of the carbon dioxide is less than 200 mbar, in particular flue gases, the gas stream being contacted with a liquid absorption medium which comprises an aqueous solution (A) of a tertiary aliphatic alkanolamine and (B) an activator of the formula R1—NH—R2—NH2, where R1 is C1-C6-alkyl and R2 is C2-C6-alkylene, the sum of the concentrations of A and B being 2.5 to 7 mol/l, and the molar ratio of B to A being in the range of 1:3 to 1.5:1. The activator is, for example, 3-methylaminopropylamine, the tertiary aliphatic amine methyldiethanolamine, methyidiisopropanolamine or n-butyldiethanolamine. The process permits substantial removal of carbon dioxide and the regeneration of the absorption medium is possible with relatively low energy consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2007
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Norbert Asprion, Iven Clausen, Ute Lichtfers
  • Publication number: 20090120289
    Abstract: A process for controlled conversion of at least two gases which form ignitable and/or explosive mixtures with one another, in which the gases are absorbed either separately or together in a carrier liquid which is inert in relation to the gases; the carrier liquid with the absorbed gases is fed to a degasser which comprises a closed degassing vessel (2) which comprises at least one feed line for the gas-laden carrier liquid (1) and at least one gas outlet (3) at its upper end, and also one or more drains for the carrier liquid below the feed line for the carrier liquid and in each case connected to a drain pipe (4), and in such a manner that the liquid flow rate in the degassing vessel (2) is less than 0.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Thomas Menzel, Grigorios Kolios, Monique Bissen, Jurgen Johann
  • Publication number: 20090095155
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2007
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventors: Arnaldo Frydman, Pradeep Thacker, Sachin Naphad, Aaron John Avagliano
  • Publication number: 20090071335
    Abstract: Methods of using microchannel separation systems including absorbents to improve thermal efficiency and reduce parasitic power loss. Energy is typically added to desorb methane and then energy or heat is removed to absorb methane using a working solution. The working solution or absorbent may comprise an ionic liquid, or other fluids that demonstrate a difference in affinity between methane and nitrogen in a solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2008
    Publication date: March 19, 2009
    Inventors: Anna Lee Y. Tonkovich, Robert D. Litt, Qiu Dongming, Laura J. Silva, Micheal Jay Lamont, Maddalena Fanelli, Wayne W. Simmons, Steven Perry
  • Publication number: 20080223214
    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: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2007
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Applicant: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: John Eugene Palamara, Kevin Boyle Fogash
  • Publication number: 20080107581
    Abstract: A method for removing sulfur-containing compounds is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes selectively separating a feed stream (118) comprising carbon dioxide and one or more sulfur-containing compounds, including hydrogen sulfide, at conditions sufficient to produce a first stream (122) comprising carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide and a second stream (124) comprising carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide. A molar ratio of carbon dioxide to hydrogen sulfide in the first stream is greater than a molar ratio of carbon dioxide to hydrogen sulfide in the second stream, and a molar ratio of hydrogen sulfide in the first stream to hydrogen sulfide in the second stream is about 0.005 or more.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicant: EXXONMOBIL UPSTREAM RESEARCH COMPANY
    Inventors: Christopher W. Sparling, P. Scott Northrop, Johnny E. Johnson, Jagannathan N. Iyengar, Barry M. Friedman
  • Patent number: 7309382
    Abstract: The gas to be processed, flowing in through line 10, contains impurities. This gas is contacted in column C1 with a solvent flowing in through line 18. The scrubbed gas is discharged through line 19. The impurity-laden solvent recovered through line 12 is regenerated by expansion, then by distillation in column C2. The invention proposes carrying out expansion by means of two-phase turbines T1 and T2.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Renaud Cadours, Yves Charron, Fabrice Lecomte
  • Patent number: 7276153
    Abstract: In a process for deacidifying a fluid hydrocarbon stream which comprises carbon dioxide (CO2) and/or other acid gases as impurities, the fluid stream is brought into intimate contact with an absorption liquid in an absorption or extraction zone (12), the substantially purified fluid stream and the absorption liquid which is loaded with CO2 and/or other acid gases are separated from one another, and the absorption liquid is subsequently regenerated and then again fed to the absorption extraction zone (12). To regenerate the absorption liquid, the loaded absorption liquid is first expanded in a first low-pressure expansion stage (22) to a pressure of from 1 to 2 bar (absolute). The partially regenerated absorption liquid is then heated in a heat exchanger (20) and then, in a second low-pressure expansion stage (29), again expanded to a pressure of from 1 to 2 bar (absolute).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Rupert Wagner, Randolf Hugo, Hans-Peter Schmid
  • Patent number: 7192468
    Abstract: A plant includes an absorber (103) that operates in a gas phase supercritical region and removes an acid gas from a feed stream (9) at high recovery of the feed stream (10) while producing a high purity acid gas stream (36). Particularly preferred plants include gas purification plants that receive a feed gas with at least 5 mol % carbon dioxide at a pressure of at least 3000 psi.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: John Mak, Curt Graham, Richard Nielsen
  • Patent number: 7022295
    Abstract: A gas siphon type reactor (10) is used to carry out a three phase chemical reaction under pressure, such as the reduction of uranyl nitrate to uranous nitrate by hydrogen, in the presence of a catalyst made up of platinum on a silica carrier. The control of the pressure in the reactor (10) is provided by regulating the liquid and gas flow rates from separator (52), into which the liquid and the gas leaving the reactor (10) are routed. The liquid in the reactor (10) is tapped from a lateral branch pipe (32) fitted with a filter (36) and emerging in the upper area (30), behind a profiled wall (34).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Compagnie Generale des Matieres Nucleaires
    Inventors: Pietro Bilardello, Nicolas Durupt, Renaud Pontier
  • Patent number: 6964696
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for recovering a clean liquid condensate from a synthesis gas at elevated temperatures and pressures. The apparatus includes at least one heat exchanger for reducing the temperature of the synthesis gas down to below 200° F. (93° C.) so as to form a syngas condensate at elevated pressure. The syngas condensate is flashed so that it separates into a liquid phase condensate and a gas phase. The liquid phase condensate comprises water, dissolved ammonia and particulates. The gas phase contains carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, various sulfur containing compounds and trace amounts of other compounds that may have been dissolved in the syngas condensate. The gas phase is removed from the flash tank and sent to a sour gas treatment unit and/or flare. The liquid phase condensate is then filtered so as to remove larger sized particulates. Clean liquid condensate is reused in the gasification process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Assignee: Texaco, Inc.
    Inventors: William A. Malatak, Brad X. Pan
  • 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: 6740226
    Abstract: In a hydrocracking unit, the flash gases from the high-pressure separator are fed to the bottom of an absorption zone where the entering gases are counter-currently contacted with a lean solvent. The lean solvent absorbs away the contained methane, ethane, propane, butanes and pentanes (C1+) from the contained hydrogen. The overhead gas stream from the absorption zone typically contains hydrogen at a purity of 90 to 98 mol %, or even higher, which is fed to the recycle gas stream to provide hydrogen purity in the range of 96 to 99 mol %, thereby providing an increase in the overall efficiency of the hydroprocessor unit. The process can also be employed with hydrotreating, hydrodesulfurization, hydrodenitrogenation and hydrodealkylation reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Yuv Raj Mehra, Ali Hassan Al-Abdulal
  • Patent number: 6735979
    Abstract: A process for pretreating a very acid natural gas containing a substantial amount of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), possibly combined with carbon dioxide (CO2), includes at least a stage wherein the initial natural gas is contacted in a distillation column with a liquid condensate itself resulting from cooling of the gaseous fraction obtained during the contacting stage. This solution allows to eventually recover at a lower cost a gas enriched in methane, depleted in hydrogen sulfide and freed from substantially all of the water it contains, and a liquid phase containing most of the hydrogen sulfide, substantially all of the water and depleted in hydrocarbon. Control of the thermodynamic conditions during the stages that characterize the process, according to the water content of the gas during treatment, allows progressive exhaustion of the water contained in the gas while preventing hydrates formation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Fabrice Lecomte, Eric Lemaire, Jean-Charles Viltard
  • 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
  • Publication number: 20030132138
    Abstract: In a hydrocracking unit, the flash gases from the high-pressure separator are fed to the bottom of an absorption zone where the entering gases are counter-currently contacted with a lean solvent. The lean solvent absorbs away the contained methane, ethane, propane, butanes and pentanes (C1+) from the contained hydrogen. The overhead gas stream from the absorption zone typically contains hydrogen at a purity of 90 to 98 mol %, or even higher, which is fed to the recycle gas stream to provide hydrogen purity in the range of 96 to 99 mol %, thereby providing an increase in the overall efficiency of the hydroprocessor unit. The process can also be employed with hydrotreating, hydrodesulfurization, hydrodenitrogenation and hydrodealkylation reactors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventors: Yuv Raj Mehra, Ali Hassan Al-Abdulal
  • Patent number: 6551380
    Abstract: A gas separation apparatus and process has a first pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit (110) receiving feed gas (112), which comprises a first and a second component. First PSA unit (110) produces first product gas (114) pre-dominantly containing the first component, and first off gas (116) containing at least some of the first component and second component. Compressor (120) is coupled to first PSA unit (110) to compress first off gas (116) to form compressed off gas (126), which is passed downstream to absorber unit (130), which employs a solvent to remove at least part of the second component from compressed off gas (126), forming an enriched compressed off gas (136B). Second PSA unit (140) receives enriched compressed off gas (136B) and produces second product gas (142) which predominantly contains the first component and a second off gas that is sent to waste or reformer burner (150).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Fluor Corporation
    Inventors: Satish Reddy, Ravi Ravikumar
  • 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: 20020178916
    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: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2001
    Publication date: December 5, 2002
    Inventors: Barry Billig, Chun Chan
  • Publication number: 20020062735
    Abstract: Process for pretreating a very acid natural gas containing a substantial amount of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), possibly combined with carbon dioxide (CO2), comprising at least a stage wherein the initial natural gas is contacted in a distillation column with a liquid condensate itself resulting from cooling of the gaseous fraction obtained during said contacting stage. This solution allows to eventually recover at a lower cost a gas enriched in methane, depleted in hydrogen sulfide and freed from substantially all of the water it contains, and a liquid phase containing most of the hydrogen sulfide, substantially all of the water and depleted in hydrocarbon. Control of the thermodynamic conditions during the stages that characterize the process, according to the water content of the gas during treatment, allows progressive exhaustion of the water contained in said gas while preventing hydrates formation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2001
    Publication date: May 30, 2002
    Inventors: Fabrice Lecomte, Eric Lemaire, Jean-Charles Viltard
  • Patent number: 6299781
    Abstract: Water containing difficult-to-remove volatile hydrocarbon contaminants which may include MTBE, TBA and/or BTEX is treated under pressure by electrolysis and oxidative reduction in a contact area, then is depressurized and subjected to high shear in a multi-stage turbine column to precipitate and/or outgas nearly all of the contaminants. In the turbine column, redirect diverters are included below each turbine in order to redirect the water/gas stream to center and to further atomize the stream at each stage. Liquid discharge is received in a bottom reservoir of the casing or tank. Vacuum is applied to the casing, at about 30 inches of water, to constantly remove air and gases from the casing, and causing air to be drawn at high flow rate down through the turbine column, helping volatilize the hydrocarbon components. A submersed pump in the liquid reservoir removes the treated water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Advanced Water Systems
    Inventor: Michael Hanrahan
  • Patent number: 6290754
    Abstract: A regenerative process for deacidification of a gas containing CO2 and liquid hydrocarbons including contacting the gas to be treated, in an absorption zone, with an absorbent liquid including methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) and an accelerator of absorption of CO2 by the amine, thereby producing a treated gas with reduced CO2 content and an absorbent liquid loaded with CO2, subjecting the loaded absorbent liquid to a regeneration treatment to release CO2 which it has bound, to produce 1) at least one acid gas fraction rich in CO2 and 2) at least one regenerated absorbent liquid; and recycling into the absorption zone the at least one regenerated absorbent liquid, wherein the overall liquid hydrocarbon content in the gas to be deacidified containing CO2 is greater than 14 liters of liquid hydrocarbons per million standard cubic meters of gas, and the activator combined with methyldiethanolamine in the absorbent liquid brought into contact with the gas containing CO2 and liquid hydrocarbons consists of at least one
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Elf Exploration Production
    Inventors: Jean-Louis Peytavy, Serge Capdeville, Herve Lacamoire
  • Patent number: 6270059
    Abstract: A liquid enriched with a high concentration of gas, in particular, water enriched with oxygen, is produced by mixing the gas and liquid in an overpressurized system using a series of pressure reduction containers which sequentially reduce the pressure on the gas-enriched liquid in a slow incremental fashion, thereby allowing a high concentration of the gas to be maintained within the liquid phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Assignee: KKB 02 Fluid Production GmbH
    Inventors: Fritz Kurzer, Frank Kurzer
  • Patent number: 6248154
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of jet technology. A gas-liquid mixture is fed from a jet apparatus into a jet converter where the flow of the gas-liquid mixture first undergoes expansion and thus is transformed into a supersonic gas-liquid flow. This supersonic gas-liquid flow is then decelerated in a shaped flow-through channel section t of the converter. A pressure jump is generated there and partial transformation of kinetic energy of the flow into potential energy of pressure takes place. In order to implement this operational process, the system is furnished with a jet converter, which includes an expansion chamber and a shaped flow-through section, the inlet of the expansion chamber is connected to the jet apparatus outlet, and the outlet of the shaped flow-through section is connected to a separator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Inventor: Serguei A. Popov
  • 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: 6203599
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for removing gas contaminants such as hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide from a product gas such as natural gas or synthesis gas. According to the invention the product gas is contacted with a solvent which includes dialkyl ethers of polyethylene glycols and water, and a high pressure recycle loop is utilized to desorb a portion the gas contaminants and co-absorbed product gas from the solvent. The solvent is provided with an amount of water sufficient to increase recovery of co-absorbed product gas while at the same time providing a reduced circulation rate requirement for the solvent and reduced re-compression and cooling requirements for the recycle gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Assignee: Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Craig Norman Schubert, William I. Echt
  • Patent number: 6156102
    Abstract: A process of separating water from ambient air involves a liquid desiccant to first withdraw water from air and treatment of the liquid desiccant to produce water and regenerated desiccant. Water lean air is released to the atmosphere. Heat generated in the process is recycled. The drying capacity, or volume of water produced, of the system for a given energy input is favored over the production of dried air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Fantom Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad, Helmut Gerhard Conrad
  • 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: 6059270
    Abstract: A liquid enriched with a free gas, in particular, water enriched with free oxygen, is produced by mixing the gas and liquid in an overpressurized system to form a mixture and then abruptly reducing the pressure of the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2000
    Assignee: KKB 02 Fluid Production GmbH
    Inventors: Fritz Kurzer, Frank Kurzer
  • 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: 5837037
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for removing high molecular weight high melting point hydrocarbon vapors from a hydrocarbon vapor offgas stream produced during the liquefaction of a solid waste plastic material to produce an oil that serves as a liquid feedstock for a partial oxidation reaction. The hydrocarbon vapor offgas stream is directly contacted with a water spray at a condensation temperature above the melting point of the high molecular weight hydrocarbons contained in the offgas. This results in the condensation and convenient removal of the high melting point hydrocarbons, referred to as "waxes." One or more subsequent condensation steps can be conducted at lower condensation temperatures to remove the lower temperature condensable hydrocarbons. The remaining uncondensed vapors are then recycled to serve as a heater fuel for the liquefaction of the waste plastic material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: Texaco Inc
    Inventor: John Duckett Winter
  • Patent number: 5312552
    Abstract: The present invention entails a method and an apparatus for removing BTX-type gases from a liquid. Herein is disclosed a system where purified water from an oil-water separator is directed into a vacuum chamber. The chamber is closed and a vacuum is pulled on the purified water causing BTX-type gases associated with the water to vaporize and assume a space in the upper portion of the vacuum chamber. The pressure within the vacuum chamber is continuously sensed as well as the liquid level within the chamber. Once the pressure within the vacuum chamber has reached a predetermined level and the level of the purified water is within a certain range within the vacuum chamber, then the BTX-type gases are removed via a vacuum pump and these BTX gases are collected in a collector where they are condensed to form a liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1994
    Inventor: J. M. Norman