US3831346A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for dehydration of wet gases
Assignee: BP America Production Co
•
Filing: 1973-05-09
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Granted: 1974-08-27
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Expires: 1993-05-09
Abstract
Abstract Absorbent solutions used to dehydrate wet gases tend to accumulate objectionable amounts of heavy hydrocarbons that cannot be removed by usual regeneration methods. Ultimately the absorbent becomes ineffective for water removal. This invention employs a selective solvent such as CS2 or CCl4 to remove hydrocarbons from the absorbent and the latter can then be recirculated to the dehydration system as an effective drying agent.
Inventors
- 👤 S Sharp
- 👤 L Sudduth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 13:51
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01D; B01D11/00; B01D11/04; B01D11/0426; B01D11/0488; B01D53/00; B01D53/26; B01J; B01J19/00; B01J19/0006; B01J19/002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said rich absorbent contains from about 10 to 18 weight percent hydrocarbon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
11 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the solvent employed is CS2.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said process is continued until the hydrocarbon content of said absorbent is not more than about 6 volume percent.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said solvent contains sufficient hydrocarbon as a contaminant to cause such solvent to constitute the upper layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the absorbent employed is selected from the group consisTing of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, and triethylene glycol.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
152 words
In a process for the removal of water from a hydrocarbon-containing gas stream, wherein said stream is contacted with a lean liquid absorbent to extract water from said stream and wherein a portion of the hydrocarbon fraction is dissolved in said absorbent, subjecting the resulting rich absorbent to a regeneration step to remove said water, circulating the thus regenerated absorbent back to the above-mentioned contacting step, and repeating the above cycle until the hydrocarbon content of said absorbent accumulates to a concentration such that said absorbent (1) is no longer effective to take up water from said stream, the improvement which comprises contacting said absorbent (1) in an extraction zone with a hydrocarbon solvent selected from the group consisting of CS2 and CCl4, allowing said absorbent (1) and said solvent to form separate layers in said zone and withdrawing from said zone a stream of lean liquid absorbent substantially free of hydrocarbons.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process of claim 7 wherein the hydrocarbon solvent stream employed in the extraction step is CS2 and contains sufficient dissolved hydrocarbon to give said stream a specific gravity not in excess of about 1.1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 4 wherein said absorbent stream substantially free of hydrocarbon is returned to the first-mentioned contacting step and used to remove water from said gas stream.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 7 wherein said cycle is repeated until the hydrocarbon content of said absorbent (1) increases to about 15 to 18 weight percent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process of claim 7 wherein a minor portion of said absorbent (1) is subjected to extraction with said solvent while the major portion of said absorbent (1) is used to contact said gas stream.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 7 wherein the absorbent employed is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, and triethylene glycol.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3099692A
Cited
US3707065A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-08-26 | 1978-02-25 | 1978-08-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-26 | 1982-02-25 | 1982-08-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-26 | 1986-02-25 | 1986-08-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |