Process for the removal of acid gases from gas mixtures
First Claim
1. In a cyclic process for the removal of acid gases from a feed gas by means of an aqueous alkaline scrubbing solution which is continuously recycled between an absorption zone in which said acid gases are absorbed by said scrubbing solution to form a rich scrubbing solution and a regeneration zone in which said acid gases are desorbed from said rich scrubbing solution to form a lean solution, the improvement which comprises regenerating the rich solution in a regeneration zone which comprises (1) a steam stripping section and (2) and a flashing section containing at least one flashing stage and an acid gas stripping stage wherein:
- (a) a first portion of the rich scrubbing solution is passed through the steam stripping section wherein it is regenerated to form a lean solution which is recycled to the absorption zone and a vapor stream containing removed acid gases and steam;
(b) a second portion of the rich scrubbing solution is passed through a flashing stage in which the rich scrubbing solution is flashed to remove acid gases and steam therefrom to form a partially regenerated solution;
(c) the partially regenerated solution is passed through the acid gas stripping stage in which the partially regenerated solution is countercurrently contacted with and stripped by the vapor stream from the steam stripping section to remove acid gases and steam from the partially regenerated solution; and
(d) the lean scrubbing solution leaving the steam stripping section is utilized to heat the partially regenerated solution in the flashing section to thereby form steam which strips additional acid gases from the partially regenerated solution.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is directed to an improved process for the removal of acid gases from gas mixtures which significantly decreases the consumption of heat needed for regenerating the rich alkaline scrubbing solution which is used to remove the acid gases from the gas mixtures. The process comprises passing one portion of the scrubbing solution through a steam stripping section and another portion of the scrubbing solution through a flashing section for regeneration wherein the overhead vapors from the steam stripping section are used to heat and strip the scrubbing solution in the flashing section and heat contained within the regenerated scrubbing solution coming from the steam stripping section is utilized to aid in the regeneration of the scrubbing solution in the flashing section.
42 Citations
14 Claims
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1. In a cyclic process for the removal of acid gases from a feed gas by means of an aqueous alkaline scrubbing solution which is continuously recycled between an absorption zone in which said acid gases are absorbed by said scrubbing solution to form a rich scrubbing solution and a regeneration zone in which said acid gases are desorbed from said rich scrubbing solution to form a lean solution, the improvement which comprises regenerating the rich solution in a regeneration zone which comprises (1) a steam stripping section and (2) and a flashing section containing at least one flashing stage and an acid gas stripping stage wherein:
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(a) a first portion of the rich scrubbing solution is passed through the steam stripping section wherein it is regenerated to form a lean solution which is recycled to the absorption zone and a vapor stream containing removed acid gases and steam; (b) a second portion of the rich scrubbing solution is passed through a flashing stage in which the rich scrubbing solution is flashed to remove acid gases and steam therefrom to form a partially regenerated solution; (c) the partially regenerated solution is passed through the acid gas stripping stage in which the partially regenerated solution is countercurrently contacted with and stripped by the vapor stream from the steam stripping section to remove acid gases and steam from the partially regenerated solution; and (d) the lean scrubbing solution leaving the steam stripping section is utilized to heat the partially regenerated solution in the flashing section to thereby form steam which strips additional acid gases from the partially regenerated solution. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification