CRYOGENIC SYSTEMS FOR REMOVING ACID GASES FROM A HYDROCARBON GAS STREAM USING CO-CURRENT SEPARATION DEVICES

摘要

A SYSTEM FOR REMOVING ACID GASES FROM A RAW GAS STREAM IS PROVIDED. THE SYSTEM INCLUDES A CRYOGENIC DISTILLATION COLUMN. THE CRYOGENIC DISTILLATION COLUMN (240, 340) RECEIVES A DEHYDRATED AND CHILLED SOUR GAS STREAM, AND SEPARATES THE SOUR GAS STREAM INTO AN OVERHEAD GAS STREAM (246, 346) COMPRISED PRIMARILY OF METHANE, AND A BOTTOM ACID GAS STREAM COMPRISED PRIMARILY OF CARBON DIOXIDE. THE SYSTEM ALSO INCLUDES A SERIES OF CO-CURRENT CONTACTORS. THE CO-CURRENT CONTACTORS MAY BE PLACED IN SERIES TO RECEIVE THE BOTTOM ACID GAS STREAM (248, 348) AND RECAPTURE ANY ENTRAINED METHANE GAS. ALTERNATIVELY OR IN ADDITION, THE CO-CURRENT CONTACTORS MAY BE PLACED IN SERIES TO RECEIVE THE OVERHEAD GAS STREAM (246, 346), AND SWEETEN IT USING A REFLUX LIQUID SUCH AS METHANE. IN THIS INSTANCE, THE SWEETENED GAS IS OPTIONALLY LIQUEFIED AND DELIVERED FOR COMMERCIAL SALE, OR IS USED AS FUEL GAS ON-SITE. (FIG. 2)