Water Sorbed Patents (Class 95/231)
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Patent number: 6183541Abstract: A natural gas dehydrator and process for dehydrating natural gas employ a longitudinal horizontal pressure vessel containing a threshold level of liquid desiccant. A plurality of spaced-apart baffles divides the vessel into a series of pneumatically discrete compartments. The baffles have a plurality of apertures which define a sinusoidal gas flow path through the vessel into and out of the liquid desiccant from the inlet to the outlet. Each of the baffles also has an opening in its lowermost portion which define a linear primary liquid desiccant flow path through the vessel from the inlet to the outlet. The baffled vessel is fixed within another longitudinally horizontal pressure vessel so as to define a chamber therebetween. Dried gas and wet desiccant are discharged from the inner or baffled vessel into the chamber where they are gravity separated, the dried gas flowing to an outlet on top of the outer vessel and the wet desiccant flowing to a sump at the bottom of the outer vessel.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 1999Date of Patent: February 6, 2001Inventor: Bill E. Compton
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Patent number: 6177597Abstract: A glycol solvent selected from a glycol and a tetramethylammonium carboxylate having improved dehydrating capacity and a reduced aborbency for aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 1999Date of Patent: January 23, 2001Assignee: Gavlin Associates, Inc.Inventors: Gilbert Gavlin, Boris Goltsin
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Patent number: 6156102Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 10, 1998Date of Patent: December 5, 2000Assignee: Fantom Technologies Inc.Inventors: Wayne Ernest Conrad, Helmut Gerhard Conrad
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Patent number: 6103944Abstract: Water present in a hot gaseous product stream from a reactor system A.B (FIG. 1) containing hydrogen fluoride is separated from the stream in order to eliminate a potentially corrosive combination of water and HF. The water is removed by contacting the gaseous product stream with liquid HF in a distillation column so as to obtain a bottoms product containing liquid HF and water and a top product containing dry HF and the product to be recovered. The invention encompasses the separation process, a vessel for carrying out the process (FIGS. 2 to 4), a control system for the liquid HF supply to the distillation column (FIGS. 5 and 6) and a recovery system for recovering HF employed during operation of the reactor system in different regimes employing HF as a fluorination agent, as a diluent during catalyst regeneration and/or catalyst prefluorination (FIG. 7).Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 1994Date of Patent: August 15, 2000Assignee: Imperial Chemical Industries PLCInventors: Charles Brian Blake, James Malcolm Forsyth, Ann San Liow, Stephen John Adams, Ralph Jones Doy, Rowland John Porter Brierley, Jane Andrea Eileen Roberts, Brian Schofield, Neil David Shilling
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Patent number: 6063163Abstract: According to the present invention, an inexpensive co-current and counter-current gas dehydration system, contactor apparatus, and operating method is provided which does not result in a need to clean equipment on a frequent basis. More specifically, there is provided a dehydration system, contactor apparatus, and method for removing water from a stream of wet natural gas which minimizes formation or iron sulfide scale within the contactor apparatus to maintain sufficient water removal capacity and to reduce operator cleanup and construction expenses. The instant invention improves the utilization of the water absorbing capabilities of glycol by using partially water laden glycol extracted from the central portion of the contactor apparatus in a co-current flow with wet natural gas to maximize the operating efficiency of the contactor apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 1998Date of Patent: May 16, 2000Assignee: Amerada Hess CorporationInventor: Paul Carmody
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Patent number: 6010674Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 11, 1993Date of Patent: January 4, 2000Assignee: National Tank CompanyInventors: Bert B. Miles, Gary W. Sams
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Patent number: 6004380Abstract: 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 ofType: GrantFiled: October 28, 1996Date of Patent: December 21, 1999Assignees: Nouvelles Applications Technologiques, Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Benoit Landreau, Jean-Claude Amande, Nicole Doerler, Alenxandre Bojey
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Patent number: 5988283Abstract: A Vertical Combined Production Facility, or gas-well production system, in which the separation of each phase (hydrocarbon gas, hydrocarbon liquids, and produced water), dehydration of natural gas, removal of minute traces of water from the hydrocarbon liquids, and polishing of produced water, are performed in a single pressure vessel. Additionally, the pressure vessel is installed in a vertical configuration such that the pressure vessel shell also serves as the structural support for a small deck and helideck. Additionally, the inlet heating of the well flow-stream is accomplished by a heat exchanger installed in the dehydration/regeneration heater (reboiler).Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 1997Date of Patent: November 23, 1999Assignee: Union Pacific Resources CompanyInventor: Don Mike Gann
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Patent number: 5922109Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing aromatics, and volatile organic hydrocarbons from a gaseous fluid stream including passing the fluid stream in contact with a dehydrating composition comprising a glycol selected from triethylene glycol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, or mixtures thereof and a hydrocarbon solubility depressant. The dehydrating composition may also contain a dissolved salt including at least one alkali metal carboxylate, an ammonium carboxylate, an alkali metal halide, an ammonium halide, or a mixtures thereof.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 1997Date of Patent: July 13, 1999Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Peter C. Rooney, Felipe A. Donate, Stephen A. Bedell, Joseph R. Downey
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Patent number: 5907924Abstract: A method of treating gas containing water in order to remove at least part of the water from the gas, including feeding the natural gas to be treated by a first line, with a liquid fraction containing at least an aqueous phase is fed via a second line in the presence of a solvent into a contact zone, so as to bring the gas into direct contact with the liquid fraction over at least a portion of the contact zone. The solvent is a non-hydrocarbon compound other than water, and simultaneously, the gas is cooled in the presence of the solvent in order to condense at least one liquid phase consisting essentially of water in a mixture with the solvent.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 1997Date of Patent: June 1, 1999Assignee: Institut Francais du PetroleInventors: Jean-Claude Collin, Joseph Larue, Alexandre Rojey
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Patent number: 5853458Abstract: A solvent composition comprising a glycol, a potassium carboxylate and a neopentyl alcohol having improved dehydrating capacity and reduced absorbency for aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 1997Date of Patent: December 29, 1998Assignee: Gavlin Associates, IncInventors: Gilbert Gavlin, Boris Goltsin
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Patent number: 5846450Abstract: An absorbent for use in absorption refrigeration systems, air conditioning systems, heat pumps or dehumidifiers comprising a solution of potassium formate. The absorbent is relatively non-toxic and relatively non-corrosive towards metals. The absorbent is generally water-based but may also comprise ammonia or methanol. Additives such as corrosion inhibitors or other absorbent salts may be included.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 1994Date of Patent: December 8, 1998Inventor: Stephen Atkinson
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Patent number: 5788745Abstract: A process for purifying a raw natural gas stream is provided by contacting the gas stream with an absorbant to remove water and hydrocarbon impurities, separating the water and hydrocarbon impurities and absorbant from the gas stream, separating the absorbant from the water and hydrocarbon impurities to provide a liquid absorbant stream and a water vapor and hydrocarbon vapor stream, condensing the water vapor and a portion of the hydrocarbon vapor stream to provide a mixed liquid/vapor stream, passing the mixed stream through a pump capable of pumping a mixed stream, and disposing of the thus-reduced volume, higher pressure, mixed stream. One aspect of the invention provides for the reintroduction of the mixed stream to the process with the raw natural gas, thereby eliminating volatile organic compound disposal concerns.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 1995Date of Patent: August 4, 1998Assignee: Phillips Petroleum CompanyInventor: Paul R. Hahn
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Patent number: 5766313Abstract: Apparatus for treating emissions from a reboiler used to remove glycol from water laden glycol wherein the emissions are condensed; pressurized and separated so that hydrocarbon vapors may be directed to a burner used to supply heat to a reboiler. Control apparatus is provided to combine fuel gas and the pressurized hydrocarbon vapors as needed to supply all of the fuel required by the burner. Also, separate apparatus is provided to control the movement of dry glycol in the apparatus and to pressurize the condensed emissions.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 1996Date of Patent: June 16, 1998Inventor: Rodney T. Heath
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Patent number: 5725637Abstract: A process for dehydrating gaseous fluids, such as natural gas, in which the gaseous fluid is contacted with a dehydrating composition having a glycol and a dissolved salt of at least one alkali metal carboxylate. The glycol is preferably ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol and mixtures thereof. The dissolved salt preferably constitutes up to about 33% by weight of the dehydrating composition.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 1996Date of Patent: March 10, 1998Assignee: Gas Research InstituteInventors: Gilbert Gavlin, Boris Goltsin
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Patent number: 5725636Abstract: A process for dehydrating gaseous fluids, such as natural gas, in which the gaseous fluid is contacted with a substantially anhydrous composition having a glycol and an aromatics solubility depressant. The glycol is preferably ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, and mixtures thereof.Type: GrantFiled: September 26, 1996Date of Patent: March 10, 1998Assignee: Gas Research InstituteInventors: Gilbert Gavlin, Boris Goltsin
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Patent number: 5693297Abstract: A system and method for injecting a gaseous contaminant absorbent through at least one spray nozzle into a pipe transporting gas to a contacting vessel wherein the gas is contacted with a liquid absorbent to remove at least one gaseous contaminant from the gas is provided. The injection of the absorbent through the spray nozzles augments the efficiency of the contacting vessel by removal of a quantity of the gaseous contaminant from the gas prior to charging the gas to the contacting vessel. Water vapor is removed using a glycol absorbent and acidic gases are removed using an amine solution as an absorbent. A system and method for the removal of both water vapor and acidic gases is provided.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 1995Date of Patent: December 2, 1997Assignee: Atlantic Richfield CompanyInventors: Harry M. Turner, Jeffrey M. Bigger, James P. Meyer
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Patent number: 5665144Abstract: An environmentally safe apparatus for reclaiming uncondensed hydrocarbons normally exhausted to the atmosphere from the still column of a glycol dehydrator system, and utilizing the uncondensed hydrocarbons as fuel in the burner of a reboiler fire-tube by natural draft of the fire-tube exhaust stack.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 1995Date of Patent: September 9, 1997Inventors: D. Jeffrey Hill, E. Todd Wiggins
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Patent number: 5536303Abstract: A method of low temperature regeneration of glycol used for dehydrating natural gas in a glycol dehydration system including the steps of passing natural gas against flowing glycol in an absorber vessel so that the glycol absorbs water from the gas, providing spent glycol and dehydrated gas, conducting the spent glycol into a reboiler vessel, feeding a portion of the dehydrated gas into a burner positioned within the reboiler vessel where the dehydrated gas is combusted to heat the spent glycol, conducting a first portion of dehydrated gas into a gas distributor located within a lower portion of the reboiler vessel, the gas distributor causing small bubbles of gas to move upwardly through the spent glycol within the reboiler to augment separation of water from the heated glycol, conducting a second portion of the dehydrated gas into an upper gas stripper vessel mounted within an upper portion of the reboiler vessel to contact the dehydrated gas with the spent glycol to further augment the separation of waterType: GrantFiled: June 8, 1995Date of Patent: July 16, 1996Inventor: Harold O. Ebeling
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Patent number: 5520723Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 15, 1995Date of Patent: May 28, 1996Inventor: Robert A. Jones, Jr.
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Patent number: 5492556Abstract: A method and apparatus for powering a fluid pump (P) for circulation of a regenerated liquid absorber from a treating vessel or regenerator (R) to a liquid/gas contacting vessel (T) where the liquid absorber removes a predetermined component from a gas. The fluid pump (P) is driven by a shaft from fluid motor (M) and an auxiliary electric motor (E, E-1) assisting the fluid motor (M). The fluid pump (P) receives the entire output of regenerated liquid absorber from the regenerator (R) for pumping the regenerated liquid absorber to the contacting vessel (T). A bypass fluid conduit (49, 48) is utilized for initial circulation of glycol during the start up operation. A glycol measuring device (42) is effective for removing trapped air in conduits (18, 15) between the reboiler (R) and the contactor (T), and in bypass conduits (48, 49) in addition to measuring the flow rate for the liquid absorber.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 1994Date of Patent: February 20, 1996Assignee: Rotor-Tech, Inc.Inventor: Richard H. Garrett
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Patent number: 5490873Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 12, 1994Date of Patent: February 13, 1996Assignee: Bryan Research & Engineering, Inc.Inventors: Steven D. Behrens, Jerry A. Bullin
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Patent number: 5462584Abstract: A process for dehydrating natural gas involving the use of a water absorbing composition containing a glycol and an aromatic solubility depressant.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1994Date of Patent: October 31, 1995Assignee: Gas Research InstituteInventors: Gilbert Gavlin, Boris Coltsin
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Patent number: 5453114Abstract: A method of dehydrating natural gas and for reducing emissions of hydrocarbon aromatics including the steps of passing natural gas upwardly in an absorber against downwardly flowing liquid desiccant to provide treated gas, the desiccant absorbing water and hydrocarbon impurities from the gas and forming spent desiccant, passing a portion of the treated gas from the absorber through a desiccant stripper vessel, the balance of the treated gas being passed for distribution, heating the spent desiccant and passing it downwardly through the desiccant stripper vessel to purge the spent desiccant of hydrocarbon aromatics, conducting the spent desiccant from the stripper vessel into a reboiler to again heat the spent desiccant and conveying treated gas from the stripper vessel to a burner in the reboiler where the treated gas is combusted with air, the spent desiccant is being heated in the reboiler to boil off entrained water to provide a regenerated desiccant that is recirculated back to the absorber.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 1994Date of Patent: September 26, 1995Inventor: Harold O. Ebeling
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Patent number: 5399188Abstract: An organic emissions elimination apparatus, and process for same, for substantially eliminating the emission of potentially harmful organic constituents, such as benzene, toluene and xylene ("BTX") into the ambient environment during dehydration of water bearing gas. The apparatus includes a first chamber which incorporates a membrane for use in association with a water absorbing material (such as triethylene glycol) which is operably displaceable and retained within the membrane fibers. Although the water vapors from the gas will permeate the membrane (and become absorbed by the triethylene glycol), the BTX will not be able to permeate the membrane. Accordingly, the BTX and the dehydrated gas will be discharged from the first chamber toward a point of use by conventional dehydrated gas using equipment.Type: GrantFiled: December 1, 1993Date of Patent: March 21, 1995Assignee: Gas Research InstituteInventor: Daryl L. Roberts
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Patent number: 5376165Abstract: A method for treating a gas stream to remove heat, gaseous, liquid or particulate matter, or add heat, vapor, or moisture, which includes the steps of:providing a tower having a bed with fluidizable hollow ellipsoidal packing with a long semi-axis and a short semi-axis;introducing a liquid stream into the tower at a liquid flow rate L, and countercurrently introducing the gas stream into the tower at a gas flow rate G sufficient to maintain the bed in a fluidized state and a gas velocity v; andadjusting the volume ratio of the liquid flow to gas flow to cause the ellipsoidal packing to circulate predominantly in the vertical direction relative to the long semi-axis and to maintain a pressure gradient .DELTA.P/H.sub.o across the depth of the fluidized bed of at least about 1500 Pa/m, and, simultaneously, to satisfy the equation:L/G=K.sub.1 (.DELTA.P/H.sub.o v)+K.sub.2wherein L/G is the volume ratio of liquid to gas; .DELTA.P is the pressure drop across the bed; H.sub.Type: GrantFiled: June 14, 1993Date of Patent: December 27, 1994Assignee: Vereinigte Aluminium-Werke A.G.Inventors: Wolfram Ruff, Howard P. Davis
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Patent number: 5346537Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 10, 1993Date of Patent: September 13, 1994Assignee: Gas Research InstituteInventor: Philip S. Lowell
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Patent number: 5233843Abstract: An apparatus for extracting moisture from the ambient air includes a desint pond for absorbing moisture from the air to produce a water rich desiccant, means for vaporizing the moisture in the water rich desiccant, mixing the vaporized moisture with ambient air to increase the dew point of the ambient air, condensing the vaporized moisture to form a potable water condensate and returning the water lean desiccant back to the desiccant pond.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 1992Date of Patent: August 10, 1993Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Norman P. Clarke
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Patent number: RE35594Abstract: A method for treating a gas stream to remove heat, gaseous, liquid or particulate matter, or add heat, vapor, or moisture, which includes the steps of:providing a tower having a bed with fluidizable hollow ellipsoidal packing with a long semi-axis and a short semi-axis;introducing a liquid stream into the tower at a liquid flow rate L, and countercurrently introducing the gas stream into the tower at a gas flow rate G sufficient to maintain the bed in a fluidized state and a gas velocity v; andadjusting the volume ratio of the liquid flow to gas flow to cause the ellipsoidal packing to circulate predominantly in the vertical direction relative to the long semi-axis and to maintain a pressure gradient .DELTA.P/H.sub.o across the depth of the fluidized bed of at least about 1500 Pa/m, and, simultaneously, to satisfy the equation:L/G=K.sub.1 (.DELTA.P/H.sub.o v)+K.sub.2wherein L/G is the volume ratio of liquid to gas; .DELTA.P is the pressure drop across the bed; H.sub.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 1995Date of Patent: August 26, 1997Assignees: VAW Aluminium A.G., Euro-Matic Ltd.Inventors: Wolfram Ruff, Howard P. Davis