Flare elimination process and methods of use
AssigneeAspen Engineering Services, LLC
InventorJames M Meyer
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Rich natural gas is first compressed, then ambient air cooled and separated into lean natural gas, NGL and water. Hydrate formation during decompression of the lean gas is precluded by either heating the lean natural gas or mixing the lean natural gas with methanol or other additive before depressurization. Similarly, hydrate formation in the NGL is also precluded by either heating the NGL or mixing the NGL with methanol or other additive before depressurization. The NGL is conditioned for storage and transport in common propane tanks by a stabilizer or two-phase separator. The lean natural gas can be used for internal combustion, liquefied natural gas, compressed natural gas or liquid fuel processing.
Claims14
A flare elimination system comprising:
- at least one separator fluidly connected downstream of an ambient air cooler and adapted to receive a compression fluid including a residue gas, natural gas liquid (NGL), and water and to separate the residue gas, the NGL, and the water into separate flows;
- an NGL upgrader disposed downstream of said at least one separator receiving the NGL, configured to remove a stabilizer gas from a top of said NGL upgrader and a hydrocarbon liquid from a bottom of said NGL upgrader;
- wherein the cooler is disposed upstream of said at least one separator, configured to cool said compressor fluid and deliver cooled compressor fluid to the at least one separator;
- a first heat exchanger disposed downstream of said at least one separator receiving residue gas on a cold side of said first heat exchanger from said at least one separator and receiving the compression fluid on a hot side of said first heat exchanger;
- a first valve disposed downstream of said first heat exchanger receiving the residue gas from said first heat exchanger;
- a second heat exchanger disposed downstream of said at least one separator receiving the NGL on a cold side of said second heat exchanger from said at least one separator and receiving the compression fluid on a hot side of said second heat exchanger;
- and
- a second valve disposed downstream of said second heat exchanger receiving the NGL from said second heat exchanger.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.