US 8,757,599 B2 · Stripping absorption module

Abstract

In a process, a portion of a liquid mixture flow is vaporized to produce a vapor and a depleted flow of liquid. The vapor is introduced to a brine which is adapted to exothermically absorb one or more components from the vapor, and heat is withdrawn, to produce at least a flow of heat and a flow of brine which is enriched in the one or more components. The heat previously withdrawn is transferred, to drive the vaporization. This heat transfer is associated with the change of a working fluid from a gaseous into a liquid state. The heat withdrawal involves the change of the working fluid from the liquid to the gaseous state. In the liquid state, the working fluid flows only by one or more of gravity, convection and wicking. In the gaseous state, the working fluid flows only by one or more of diffusion and convection.

Claims25

Dependent claims

Process for use with a flow of a liquid mixture that is separable by vaporization into a flow of vapor and a depleted flow of liquid, the process comprising:

a vaporization step, wherein a portion of said liquid mixture flow is vaporized to produce said flow of vapor and said depleted flow of liquid;
an absorption step, wherein (i) the flow of vapor is introduced to a flow of brine which is adapted to exothermically absorb one or more components from the vapor and (ii) heat is withdrawn, to produce at least a flow of heat and a flow of brine which is enriched in the one or more components;
and
a heat transfer step, wherein the heat withdrawn in the absorption step is transferred, to drive the vaporization in the vaporization step,
wherein
the transfer of heat to drive the vaporization is associated with the phase change of a working fluid from a gaseous state into a liquid state;
the withdrawal of heat in the absorption step involves the phase change of the working fluid from the liquid state into the gaseous state;
in the liquid state, the working fluid flows only by one or more of gravity, convection and wicking;
and
in the gaseous state, the working fluid flows only by one or more of diffusion and convection.

7 more elements

Apparatus for use with a flow of a liquid mixture that is separable by vaporization into a flow of vapor and a depleted flow of liquid, the apparatus comprising a structure which, in use:

defines a first volume wherein said liquid mixture is received and separated into said flow of vapor and said depleted flow of liquid;
defines a first liquid passage by which said depleted flow leaves the first volume;
defines a vapor passage by which said flow of vapor leaves the first volume;
defines a second volume to which the vapor passage leads;
includes heat and mass transfer apparatus disposed at least in part in the second volume, the heat and mass transfer apparatus:
(i) receiving a flow of brine adapted to exothermically absorb one or more components from the vapor;
(ii) introducing the flow of brine to the vapor;
and (iii) withdrawing heat from the second volume, to produce at least a flow of heat and a flow of brine which is enriched in the one or more components;
defines a second liquid passage by which the flow of brine which is enriched in the one or more components leaves the second volume;
and
includes heat movement apparatus for transferring the flow of heat to the first volume to provide for said separation,
wherein:
the transfer of heat into the first volume is associated with the phase change of a working fluid from a gaseous state into a liquid state;
the withdrawal of the heat from the second volume involves the phase change of the working fluid from the liquid state to the gaseous state;
in the liquid state, the working fluid flows only by one or more of gravity, convection and wicking;
and in the gaseous state, the working fluid flows only by one or more of diffusion and convection.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Stripping absorption module

Life of this patent

Stripping absorption module

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims25