US 6,158,242 AGranted

Gas dehydration method and apparatus

OwnerYingzhong Luinventor

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Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for efficiently and cost-effectively removing moisture from pressurized gas stream to any required low level. The invention adopts an irregular matrix of finned pipes to remove the moisture as liquid and solid deposits. Clogging is completely eliminated in the freezer and heat recuperator of this apparatus. The dew-point of the dried gas may be reduced to under -100.degree. F. The method and the apparatus provided by the present invention are universally applicable to the dehydration of all kind of gases, and, hence, can replace all the three major dehydration methods and dehydrators currently in the market, i.e., the solid desiccant absorption, the liquid desiccant absorption, and the refrigeration dehydration. No BTEX pollutant is emitted to the atmosphere when applied to natural gas dehydration. In particular, it provides environmentally benign, self-powered, compact, and low-cost natural gas dehydrators for remote sites where no outside power supply is available.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A gas dehydrator for continuously removing moisture from a moisture-laden gas compromising:

a couple of flow-shifting valves connected with a gas inlet pipeline, which periodically reverse the gas flow direction to perform the functions of alternative moisture-freezing/thawing for the continuous removal of moisture from the gas;
a couple of separator/filters that take out the entrained solid ice/hydrate particles from the cooled gas stream, one end of each is connected with the flow-shifting valves through pipeline;
a gas pre-heater consisting of a matrix of finned pipes, which preheat the moisture gas and is connected with one of the separator/filters;
a heat recuperator consisting of a matrix of finned heat-pipes, one end of which is connected with the gas pre-heater;
a refrigeration system to provide the cooling and heating working medium for the operations of the dehydrator;
a moisture freezer consisting of a matrix of finned pipes, which is connected with the heat recuperator by one end, and is connected with the other one of the separator/filters by the other end;
and
pipelines for discharging the dehydrated gas.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 09/421,571Filed 20 Oct 1999
Priority: CN 9910976012 Jul 1999
Granted: 12 Dec 2000
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification8 codes

F28F 1/24
The means being only outside the tubular element: and extending transversely
F25J 5/00
Arrangements of cold exchangers or cold accumulators in separation or liquefaction plants
F28D 7/163
The conduits being arranged in parallel spaced relation: with conduit assemblies having a particular shape, e.g. square or annular; with…
F25J 2210/60
Processes characterised by the type or other details of the feed stream: natural gas or synthetic natural gas [SNG]