Gas Treating Method And Apparatus

• US 20100218678A1
• Filed: 05/12/2010
• Published: 09/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Valerus Field Solutions, L.P. (AtkinsRéalis Group, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Valerus Compression Services, LP (Axip Energy Services LP)
• Inventors: Bradley, Thomas J., Cash, Edwin A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,137,445 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 95/226
• 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 53/18 Absorbing units; Liquid distributors therefor B01D3/16, B01D3/26, B01D3/30 take precedence; packing elements B01J19/30, B01J19/32
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 3/10 Working-up natural gas or synthetic natural gas
• CPC Class Codes: C10L 3/102 of acid contaminants

Abstract

A method and apparatus for treating natural gas comprises a contactor having a manifold for spreading gas in the contactor vessel, a plurality of perforated plates above the manifold, a spray system for spraying a treating liquid into an upwardly rising column of gas and a liquid level controller for maintaining the treating liquid above the perforated plates. Gas and liquid from the contactor pass through a cooler and are then separated. A treating liquid regeneration system receives the treating liquid and flashes the liquid at low pressure to separate hydrocarbon gases, hydrocarbon liquid and treating liquid. The treating liquid is regenerated by heating and flashing off contaminant gases and is ultimately redelivered to the contactor.

Claims

1. An apparatus for treating a contaminated gas comprising:

a high-pressure vessel comprising a pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid comprising a glycol;

a manifold for introducing the contaminated gas into the vessel, wherein the manifold introduces the gas into the vessel below the top level of the pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid;

at least one flow disperser contained within the vessel and positioned above the manifold and beneath the level of the pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid; and

one or more spray nozzles contained within the vessel and positioned above the level of the pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid, operable to introduce contaminant-absorbing liquid counter-current to the flow of contaminated gas in the vessel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the contaminated gas comprises natural gas.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the flow disperser comprises a perforated plate comprising openings and operable to prevent channeling of the gas in the vessel.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the vessel comprises a height of less than 7.62 meters (25 feet).

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the high-pressure vessel is operable to operate at a pressure of at least 800 pounds per square inch (psi) over atmospheric pressure.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a liquid level sensor.

7. An apparatus for treating a contaminated gas comprising:

a high-pressure vessel comprising a pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid comprising a hydrogen sulfide scavenger;

a manifold for introducing the contaminated gas into the vessel, wherein the manifold introduces the gas into the vessel below the top level of the pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid;

at least one flow disperser contained within the vessel and positioned above the manifold and beneath the level of the pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid; and

one or more spray nozzles contained within the vessel and positioned above the level of the pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid, operable to introduce contaminant-absorbing liquid counter-current to the flow of contaminated gas in the vessel.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the contaminated gas comprises natural gas.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the flow disperser comprises a perforated plate comprising openings and operable to prevent channeling of the gas in the vessel.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the vessel comprises a height of less than 7.62 meters (25 feet).

11. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the high-pressure vessel is operable to operate at a pressure of at least 800 pounds per square inch (psi) over atmospheric pressure.

12. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a liquid level sensor.

13. A method for treating contaminated gas comprising:

introducing a contaminated gas into a high pressure vessel comprising a pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid, wherein the contaminated gas is introduced through a manifold at a level below the top level of the pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid;

dispersing the contaminated gas through a flow disperser wherein the flow disperser is positioned in the vessel between the manifold and the top level of the pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid and is operable to prevent channeling of the contaminated gas; and

spraying the contaminant-absorbing liquid from a position above the level of the pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid, wherein the contaminant-absorbing liquid moves in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of the contaminated gas.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the flow disperser comprises a perforated plate.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of dispersing the contaminated gas through a flow disperser comprises dispersing the contaminated gas through two perforated plates.

16. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of introducing the contaminated gas that exits the vessel and contaminant-absorbing liquid into a mixer.

17. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of introducing the contaminated gas that exits the vessel and contaminant-absorbing liquid into a cooler.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of reheating the contaminant-absorbing liquid in a heat exchanger after the liquid exits the cooler.

19. The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of establishing a pressure of at least 800 pounds per square inch (psi) over atmospheric pressure within the vessel.

20. The method of claim 13 wherein contaminant-absorbing liquid comprises an amine.