Organic Compound Removed Patents (Class 95/184)
  • Patent number: 11543180
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to improve the recovery of C2 (or C3) and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The preferred method of separating a hydrocarbon gas stream generally includes producing at least a substantially condensed first stream and a cooled second stream, expanding both streams to lower pressure, and supplying the streams to a fractionation tower. In the process and apparatus disclosed, the tower overhead vapor is directed to an absorbing means and a heat and mass transfer means inside a processing assembly. A portion of the outlet vapor from the processing assembly is compressed to higher pressure, cooled and substantially condensed in a heat exchange means inside the processing assembly, then expanded to lower pressure and supplied to the heat and mass transfer means to provide cooling. Condensed liquid from the absorbing means is fed to the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Kyle T. Cuellar, Michael C. Pierce, Scott A. Miller, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis
  • Patent number: 11428465
    Abstract: A process and an apparatus are disclosed for a compact processing assembly to improve the recovery of C2 (or C3) and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The preferred method of separating a hydrocarbon gas stream generally includes producing at least a substantially condensed first stream and a cooled second stream, expanding both streams to lower pressure, and supplying the streams to a fractionation tower. In the process and apparatus disclosed, the tower overhead vapor is directed to an absorbing means and a heat and mass transfer means inside a processing assembly. The outlet vapor from the processing assembly is compressed to higher pressure and cooled, then a portion is substantially condensed in a heat exchange means inside the processing assembly, expanded to lower pressure, and supplied to the heat and mass transfer means to provide cooling. Condensed liquid from the absorbing means is fed to the tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Inventors: Michael C. Pierce, Kyle T. Cuellar, Scott A. Miller, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Andrew F. Johnke, W. Larry Lewis
  • Patent number: 8590340
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. The stream is cooled and divided into first and second streams. The first stream is further cooled to condense substantially all of it and is thereafter expanded to the pressure of a fractionation tower and supplied to the fractionation tower at a first mid-column feed position. The second stream is expanded to the tower pressure and is then supplied to the column at a second mid-column feed position. A distillation vapor stream is withdrawn from the column below the feed point of the first stream and compressed to an intermediate pressure, and is then directed into heat exchange relation with the tower overhead vapor stream to cool the distillation stream and condense substantially all of it, forming a condensed stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Ortoff Engineers, Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard N. Pitman, John D. Wilkinson, Joe T. Lynch, Hank M. Hudson, Tony L. Martinez
  • Patent number: 8512660
    Abstract: The absorptive removal of carbon dioxide from biogas using a scrubbing liquid in which carbon dioxide is chemically bound proceeds by heating the loaded scrubbing liquid, occurring after the absorption, to a temperature at which liberation of CO2 begins. Immediately thereafter, the loaded scrubbing liquid is fed to at least one centrifugal separator for separating off the gas phase from the liquid phase, wherein methane and dissolved fractions of CO2 escape via the gas phase. After separation is complete, the gas phase is passed into the absorber unit and the liquid phase is further heated to the temperature required for desorption and fed to the desorption unit for regeneration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: MT-Biomethan GmbH
    Inventors: Stephan Engelke, Uwe Jordan
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6964729
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for oxidizing undesired compounds residing within a liquid glycol based absorbent wherein the compounds are heated within a reboiler chamber to their boiling point to effectuate production of vaporized effluents. The absorbent's vaporized effluents rise upwardly exiting the reboiler chamber and enter a reflux tower wherein they are partially condensed via a condenser embodied within the interior of the tower. The residual uncondensed effluents are then transported to and first heated via a vaporizer/heat exchanger, thus effectuating the vaporization of any ambient condensed liquids contained within the effluents. The revaporized effluents then enter the invention's thermal oxidizer combustion chamber where they are second heated to a temperature necessary to effectuate destruction of undesirable compounds, such as but not limited to benzene, toluene and xylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2005
    Inventor: Parviz Khosrowyar
  • Patent number: 6712880
    Abstract: A cryogenic process and apparatus for separating multi-component gaseous hydrocarbon streams to recover both gaseous and liquid compounds. More particularly, the cryogenic processes and apparatus of this invention utilize a high pressure absorber to improve the energy efficiency of processing natural gas for pipeline gas sales and recovering natural gas liquids (NGL) gas from gaseous hydrocarbon streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2004
    Assignee: ABB Lummus Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Jorge H. Foglietta, Hazem Haddad, Earle Ross Mowrey, Sanjiv N. Patel, Ajit Sangave
  • Patent number: 6607585
    Abstract: An improved method and structure for purification of an acid gas stream by using raw fuel gas as a stripper to remove the BTEX and VOCs from the liquid amine stream. The improved method is particularly useful for purification of acid gas streams with BTEX contaminant levels in excess of environmentally acceptable levels for standard processing. Raw fuel gas is utilized at moderate temperatures and pressures, the uptake of BTEX and VOCs reduces the level of these compounds in the waste amine stream to environmentally acceptable levels, and the remaining contaminants may then be dealt with by ordinary means. Levels of H2S and CO2. in the liquid amine stream are also reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Inventor: David Morrow
  • Patent number: 6475266
    Abstract: An exhaust gas recovery method and apparatus including: a first process in which volatile organic compound gas in exhaust gas from a exhaust gas discharging source is absorbed into water by a scrubber; a second process in which water including the volatile organic compound, which is obtained in the first process, is frozen and the volatile organic compound herein concentrated such that the water including the volatile organic compound is separated into water including a high concentration of the volatile organic compound, level of concentration being higher than that of the water including the volatile organic compound which is obtained in the first process, and ice; a third process in which cold of the ice obtained in the second process is used; and a fourth process in which the water including a high concentration of the volatile organic compound, which is obtained in the second process, is reused, is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Hayashi, Junichi Nagata, Shinichi Funabashi
  • Patent number: 6447578
    Abstract: Process for the removal of nitrogen contained in natural gas wherein are performed the steps of: a) absorbing the hydrocarbon component of natural gas by means of virgin naphtha in an absorption device, discharging the non-absorbed nitrogen; b) stripping the hydrocarbon component absorbed by the virgin naphtha; c) recycling the virgin naphtha recovered in the stripping, to step (a); d) feeding the natural gas thus treated to a distribution network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2002
    Assignee: ENI S.p.A.
    Inventor: Liberato Ciccarelli
  • Publication number: 20020046652
    Abstract: An apparatus for efficiently removing VOC from a plurality of remotely located sources of VOC contaminated gas streams includes a plurality of liquid absorbers, each located near and communicating with a source of a VOC contaminated gas stream, the liquid absorbers associating the VOC with a scrubbing liquid. A gas conduit is associated with each liquid absorber to allow for the recycling of properly conditioned gas to the VOC source. A conduit is connected to each liquid absorber for conveying VOC laden scrubbing liquid from the liquid absorber to a separating apparatus in fluid communication with each of the conduits. A conduit recycles the scrubbing liquid from the separating apparatus to at least one of the plurality of liquid absorbers. A heat exchanger associated with the scrubbing liquid after separation transfers heat to the scrubbing liquid prior to separation, or to an HVAC system, or to the scrubbing liquid prior to the liquid absorber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2001
    Publication date: April 25, 2002
    Applicant: CH2M Hill, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell H. Lindsay, Moha Shah
  • Publication number: 20020040640
    Abstract: A method for recovering VOC and HAP emissions in the production of a lignocellulosic product is provided. The method comprises forming a mat of lignocellulosic material by bonding together and mat in a product formation press with an adhesive material to produce the lignocellulosic product. VOC and HAP emissions are produced during the formation of the lignocellulosic product in a product formation press. The VOC and HAP emissions produced are withdrawn during the formation of and lignocellulosic product prior to removal of the lignocellulosic product from the product formation press. Then, the VOC and HAP emissions which are withdrawn from the formation press are recovered without releasing same to the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2001
    Publication date: April 11, 2002
    Inventors: Wu-Hsiung Ernest Hsu, James A. Evensen
  • Patent number: 6368385
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for the purification of a gas, in particular natural gas, in order to eliminate mercaptans without the use of gas adsorption or cryogenic expansion processes. Natural gas, dried and cooled, is supplied to an absorption column under pressure, producing a head product of a purified gas, and a base product supplied to a fractionating column which separates the most volatile compounds, free from mercaptans, from a gasoline fraction of the natural gas. The mercaptans are eliminated at the head of at least one distillation column, producing a base end product consisting of a mixture of C5 hydrocarbons, heavier than and free from volatile mercaptans, partially mixed with the most volatile recompressed compounds of the natural gas. This mixture is cooled and sent by reflux to the absorption column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: TECHNIP
    Inventor: Henri Paradowski
  • Patent number: 6352575
    Abstract: An appartus for removing VOC from a plurality of remotely located sources of VOC contaminated gas streams includes a plurality of liquid absorbers, each located near and communicating with a source of a VOC contaminated gas stream, the liquid absorbers associating the VOC with a scrubbing liquid. A conduit is connected to each liquid absorber for conveying VOC laden scrubbing liquid from the liquid absorber to a separating apparatus in fluid communication with each of the conduits. The separating apparatus receives the VOC laden scrubbing liquid from the plurality of liquid absorbers and separates the VOC from the scrubbing liquid. A conduit recycles the scrubbing liquid from the separating apparatus to at least one of the plurality of liquid absorbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: CH2M Hill, Inc.
    Inventors: Mitchell H. Lindsay, James D. Mavis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6342091
    Abstract: A process for the removal of carbon dioxide, sulphur compounds, water and aromatic and higher aliphatic hydrocarbons from industrial gases. The sour gas components, water and hydrocarbons are removed from the gas to be treated by absorption at elevated operating pressure. At least one morpholine derivative is used as the absorbent. The absorbent laden with absorbed components is regenerated with the aid of a stripping gas. The stripping gas is generated by partial evaporation of the laden absorbent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2002
    Assignee: Krupp Uhde GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Menzel, Oliver Tondorf
  • Patent number: 6290755
    Abstract: The present invention provides a bisglycoluril derivative composition useful for selectively covering methane from a gas stream including carbon dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Clarence D. Chang, Suzanne Elaine Schramm, Clarence Edward Chase
  • Patent number: 6183540
    Abstract: A method is provided for the extraction of aromatic hydrocarbons, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene, collectively known as “BTEX,” in a continuous process utilizing a glycol contactor to cause absorption of the BTEX upstream of an amine-based gas sweetening process. The preferred glycol for BTEX absorption is triethylene glycol. The glycol used in the glycol contactor for BTEX extraction may either be fully regenerated (dry), or wet glycol from a downstream gas dehydration system. The method may be achieved with the use of a number of separate absorber/contactor vessels, or the method may be achieved within one combination vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Kinder Morgan, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan E. Thonsgaard
  • Patent number: 6106594
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for selectively recovering methane from a gas stream including carbon dioxide using a bisglycoluril derivative to selectively extract the methane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2000
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventors: Clarence D. Chang, Suzanne Elaine Schramm, Clarence Edward Chase
  • Patent number: 6015451
    Abstract: Apparatus for recovering volatile organic compounds (VOC) from VOC/inert gas mixtures leaving tanker holds during crude oil loading includes an absorption column 12 in which incoming VOC is absorbed into cold kerosene, a portion of the VOC rich kerosene leaving the absorption column being cooled in a cooler 88 and returned to the absorption column to contact incoming VOC/inert gas mixture and absorb further VOC. The remainder of the rich kerosene leaving the absorption column 12 passes to a buffer tank 34 where it is held. It is then pumped to an elevated pressure distillation (stripper) column 46, where VOC is separated from the kerosene by conventional rectification. VOC vapor leaving the top of the distillation column is condensed in condenser 72 and held in the VOC reflux tank 76. Liquid VOC from the reflux tank is passed to a crude oil pipeline 82; a portion of the liquid VOC from the reflux tank enters the top of the distillation column to act as reflux.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2000
    Assignee: Fluor Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas B. Anderson, Elliott Drucker, John Dennis Robinson
  • Patent number: 6010674
    Abstract: A system for controlling organic contaminants released from a regenerator during the process of liquid dehydration of natural gas where contaminants are vaporized into a gaseous mixture. The system includes conducting the vaporized mixture from the regenerator to a heater, heating the vaporized mixture in the heater, conducting the vaporized mixture from the heater to a liquid collection chamber where suspended liquid particles are separated out from the vaporized mixture, drawing the vaporized mixture from the liquid chamber using fuel gas as an aspirator, mixing atmospheric air with the vaporized mixture, and combusting the vaporized mixture in order to incinerate the vaporized mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: National Tank Company
    Inventors: Bert B. Miles, Gary W. Sams
  • Patent number: 6004380
    Abstract: A process for dehydrating a natural gas or refinery gas containing water and BTEX using a liquid desiccant (glycol) and including regeneration provides the following steps:(a) absorption of the water and the BTEX by contacting the gas with the liquid desiccant which has been regenerated in step (c), producing a dry gaseous effluent and the liquid desiccant charged with water and BTEX;(b) separating the charged liquid desiccant into a vapor containing a portion of the BTEX and a liquid phase containing mainly desiccant charged with water and BTEX;(c) regenerating the liquid desiccant in a distillation zone from which a vapor containing water and BTEX and regenerated liquid desiccant are extracted, the latter being sent to absorption step (a);(d) condensing the vapor from the distillation zone and separating it into three phases: a gaseous effluent containing BTEX, a liquid hydrocarbon phase containing BTEX, and an aqueous liquid phase; and(e) washing the gaseous effluent by absorbing the BTEX in a fraction of
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignees: Nouvelles Applications Technologiques, Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Benoit Landreau, Jean-Claude Amande, Nicole Doerler, Alenxandre Bojey
  • 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: 5533437
    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 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: January 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Lee J. Howard, Howard C. Rowles
  • Patent number: 5529612
    Abstract: A method for removing volatile organics from landfill gas, in which the landfill gas, which consists primarily of methane and contains volatile organic components, is passed through a quantity of liquid tetraglyme to cause the volatile organic components to be absorbed in the tetraglyme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1996
    Assignee: Southern Petroleum Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: John R. Troost
  • Patent number: 5520724
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the recovery of low molecular weight C.sub.2+ hydrocarbons, in particular ethylene and ethane from a cracking gas, in particular from a fluid catalytic cracking waste gas. In accordance with the invention the light C.sub.2+ hydrocarbons are scrubbed out of the cracking gas by absorption, using an organic, preferably paraffinic, physically acting scrubbing agent, the scrubbing agent having a molecular weight of between 50 and 75 g/mol, preferably between 60 and 75 g/mol. Particularly suitable as scrubbing agents are pentane, isopentane or mixtures thereof. Prior to the generation of the loaded scrubbing agent, co-extracted methane is advantageously stripped off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Heinz Bauer, Hans Becker
  • Patent number: 5520723
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing emissions from glycol dehydrators which employ a vapor-liquid contactor operated under ambient conditions to treat the organic vapors and liquids exiting from a condenser attached to the vapor vent of the glycol reboiler. A stream of the organic liquids is passed to the top of the contactor and allowed to descend in counter-current relation to the upward moving gas introduced at the bottom portion of the contactor. Liquids containing a relatively high content of hydrocarbons may be recovered from the bottom of the contactor, and vapors having a reduced content of organic emissions can be emitted directly to the atmosphere from the top the contactor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 28, 1996
    Inventor: Robert A. Jones, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5462582
    Abstract: When a vapor-phase mixture is brought in contact with a liquid absorbent kept at a temperature above the condensation temperature of the vapor-phase mixture, the vapor-phase mixture becomes concentrated for those components which are absorbed by the absorbent in small or negligible amounts. In the method according to the invention, the regeneration of the absorbent essentially utilizes the heat of absorption of the absorbed components. The actual absorption process can be isothermal or adiabatic or a combination of these. The method is particularly suited to the separation of vapor-phase mixtures of minimum boiling point azeotropes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1995
    Assignee: K.H. Innovations Oy
    Inventor: Kaj Holm
  • Patent number: 5346537
    Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed which are improvements in the conventional method and apparatus for extracting water from a gas stream such as a natural gas stream by contacting the stream with a glycol to absorb the water, and then regenerating the glycol for further use in extraction by heating the moist glycol in a glycol regenerator to vaporize the water contained in same as steam. The improvement enables control of emissions of volatile organic compounds which have been absorbed by the glycol during contact with the gas stream, while minimizing the contaminants in the water streams produced. The vented steam and gaseous volatile organics are flowed from the glycol regenerator as input to a cooling condenser having successive air and water-cooled condensers, to produce a condenser water stream having a relatively high content of the organic compounds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: Gas Research Institute
    Inventor: Philip S. Lowell