In-Line Device for Gas-Liquid Contacting, and Gas Processing Facility Employing Co-Current Contactors
First Claim
1. A co-current contactor for the separation of components in a fluid stream, the contactor comprising:
- a mass transfer vessel having a first end and a second end;
a first inlet configured to receive the fluid stream proximate the first end of the mass transfer vessel;
a second inlet configured to receive a liquid contacting stream also proximate the first end of the mass transfer vessel;
a mixing section within the mass transfer vessel configured to receive the fluid stream and the liquid contacting stream and to provide a mixed, two-phase flow;
a separator proximate the second end of and in-line with the mass transfer vessel, configured to receive the two-phase flow from the mass transfer vessel and then separate a vapor phase from a liquid phase;
a gas outlet at the at the separator configured to release the vapor phase as a treated gas stream; and
a liquid-phase outlet at the separator configured to release the liquid phase as a loaded treating solution;
wherein the separator is designed to separate fluid components without substantially relying upon gravity separation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Provided are gas processing facilities for the separation of components in a gas stream and methods of using the same. The facility includes one or more co-current contactors. Each contactor includes a mass transfer vessel having a mixing section. The mixing section receives a gas stream and a liquid contacting stream. The mixing section mixes theses two streams and releases a two-phase flow. Each contactor also includes a separator that receives the two-phase fluid stream from the mass transfer vessel in-line, and then separates a vapor phase from a liquid phase. The separator has a gas-phase outlet configured to release the vapor phase as a treated gas stream, and a liquid-phase outlet configured to release the liquid phase as a loaded treating solution. The contactors may be used to remove water or other contaminant from a natural gas stream or other gas stream.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A co-current contactor for the separation of components in a fluid stream, the contactor comprising:
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a mass transfer vessel having a first end and a second end; a first inlet configured to receive the fluid stream proximate the first end of the mass transfer vessel; a second inlet configured to receive a liquid contacting stream also proximate the first end of the mass transfer vessel; a mixing section within the mass transfer vessel configured to receive the fluid stream and the liquid contacting stream and to provide a mixed, two-phase flow; a separator proximate the second end of and in-line with the mass transfer vessel, configured to receive the two-phase flow from the mass transfer vessel and then separate a vapor phase from a liquid phase; a gas outlet at the at the separator configured to release the vapor phase as a treated gas stream; and a liquid-phase outlet at the separator configured to release the liquid phase as a loaded treating solution; wherein the separator is designed to separate fluid components without substantially relying upon gravity separation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification