Sour gas and acid natural gas separation membrane process by pre removal of dissolved elemental sulfur for plugging prevention
First Claim
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1. A method of removing sulfur from a gas stream comprising the steps of:
- a. contacting the gas stream with a solvent to selectively absorb at least a portion of elemental sulfur from the gas stream;
b. filtering entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream so that sulfur does not become deposited on a gas separation membrane;
c. passing the gas stream through the gas separation membrane;
d. analyzing a sulfur concentration of an overhead stream of the solvent scrubber and sending the gas stream to a second column if the sulfur concentration exceeds a sulfur solubility estimated in retentate and permeate flows by a membrane separation process simulation; and
e. regenerating the solvent by sending a gas capable of dissolving sulfur through the solvent scrubber.
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Abstract
Methods for removing sulfur from a gas stream prior to sending the gas stream to a gas separation membrane system are provided. Two schemes are available. When the sulfur content is high or flow is relatively high, a scheme including two columns where one tower is regenerated if the sulfur concentration exceeds a preset value can be used. When the sulfur content is low or flow is relatively low, a scheme including one column and an absorption bed.
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Citations
6 Claims
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1. A method of removing sulfur from a gas stream comprising the steps of:
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a. contacting the gas stream with a solvent to selectively absorb at least a portion of elemental sulfur from the gas stream; b. filtering entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream so that sulfur does not become deposited on a gas separation membrane; c. passing the gas stream through the gas separation membrane; d. analyzing a sulfur concentration of an overhead stream of the solvent scrubber and sending the gas stream to a second column if the sulfur concentration exceeds a sulfur solubility estimated in retentate and permeate flows by a membrane separation process simulation; and e. regenerating the solvent by sending a gas capable of dissolving sulfur through the solvent scrubber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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Specification