Systems and methods for improved column operation in offshore environments

• US 10,456,740 B2
• Filed: 06/19/2014
• Issued: 10/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bechtel Energy Technologies & Solutions Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Bechtel Hydrocarbon Technology Solutions, Inc. (Bechtel Group Incorporated)
• Inventors: Lee, Guang-Chung, Golikeri, Sudhir, Yu, Jie
• Primary Examiner(s): Holecek, Cabrena
• Application Number:
  US14/900,030
• Publication Number:
  US 20160136569A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,958 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 19/0015 in contact columns containing plates, grids or other filling elements
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2252/204 Amines
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2257/504 Carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 3/32 Other features of fractionating columns ; Constructional details of fractionating columns not provided for in groups B01D3/16 - B01D3/30
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 3/4205 Reflux ratio control splitter
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/1425 Regeneration of liquid absorbents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/1462 Removing mixtures of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/1475 Removing carbon dioxide
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 53/18 Absorbing units; Liquid distributors therefor B01D3/16, B01D3/26, B01D3/30 take precedence; packing elements B01J19/30, B01J19/32
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 35/44 Floating buildings, stores, drilling platforms, or workshops, e.g. carrying water-oil separating devices construction methods for floating offshore platforms B63B75/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y02C 20/40 of CO2

Abstract

Systems and methods for improved column operation in offshore environments by using a co-current contactor system in floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) systems.

Claims

1. A co-current contact system for operating an absorption column in offshore environments, which comprises:

a solvent regeneration unit having a rich amine input opening in fluid communication with a rich amine output line connected to the absorption column and a lean amine output line in fluid communication with a lean amine input opening in the absorption column;

a static mixer having a static mixer input opening in fluid communication with the lean amine output line, a treated gas input opening in fluid communication with a treated gas output line connected to the absorption column, and a static mixer output line; and

a separator having a separator input opening in fluid communication with the static mixer output line, a separator liquid output line and a separator vapor output line.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the separator liquid output line is connected to the lean amine output line.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the separator liquid output line is connected to another lean amine input opening in the absorption column.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the separator liquid output line is connected to a semi-lean amine input opening in the solvent regeneration unit.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

another static mixer having another static mixer input opening in fluid communication with the separator vapor output line, a lean amine input opening in fluid communication with the lean amine output line and another static mixer output line; and

another separator having another separator input opening in fluid communication with the another static mixer output line, another separator liquid output line and another separator vapor output line.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising:

another static mixer having another static mixer input opening in fluid communication with the separator vapor output line, a lean amine input opening in fluid communication with the lean amine output line and another static mixer output line; and

another separator having another separator input opening in fluid communication with the another static mixer output line, another separator liquid output line in fluid communication with the static mixer input opening and another separator vapor output line.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the static mixer comprises a pipe and a plurality of stationery elements positioned within the pipe.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the rich amine output line is connected to a bottom of the absorption column, the treated gas output line is connected to a top of the absorption column and the lean amine input opening is positioned near the top of the absorption column.