Patent ID: 6607585
Filing Date: 2003-08-19
Classification: B01D,Y02A

Abstract:
An apparatus for processing raw natural gas for removing undesirable constituents comprising:a raw natural gas intake conduit for receiving raw natural gas containing unacceptably high levels of undesirable constituents, including BTEX, H2S, CO2, BTEX and VOC, constituents; aqueous amine-based natural gas contaminant absorption means for receiving said raw natural gas from said raw natural gas intake conduit and for first stripping substantial portions of said H2S, CO2, BTEX and VOC constituents from said raw natural gas; sweet gas delivery means attached to said aqueous amine-based natural gas contaminant absorption means for delivering a first portion of sweet gas, produced by said first stripping of said H2S, CO2, BTEX and VOC from said raw natural gas, from said processing facility to storage and transportation facilities; contaminated aqueous amine collection means, attached to said aqueous amine-based natural gas contaminant absorption means, for collecting contaminated aqueous amine, which carries such H2S, CO2, BTEX and VOC constituents as are absorbed from said raw natural gas, from said aqueous amine-based natural gas contaminant absorption means; BTEX stripper means, in fluid communication with said contaminated aqueous amine collection means for receiving said contaminated aqueous amine from said contaminated aqueous amine collection means in a manner for interacting with stripping means for second stripping H2S, CO2, BTEX and VOC contaminants from said contaminated aqueous amine; sweet gas recirculation means attached in fluid communication with said aqueous amine-based natural gas contaminant absorption means and with said BTEX stripper for conveying a second portion of said sweet gas to said BTEX stripper, said sweet gas recirculation means being attached to said BTEX stripper whereby said second measure of said sweet gas acts as said stripping means in said BTEX stripper for effecting said second stripping of said H2S, CO2, BTEX and VOC contaminants from said contaminated aqueous amine; lean amine injection means in fluid communication with an upper portion of said BTEX stripper for injecting lean amine into said upper portion of said BTEX stripper and interacting with BTEX stripper waste gas as is produced from said second measure of said sweet gas as it flows upwardly through said BTEX stripper, such introduction of said lean amine for absorbing CO2 from said BTEX stripper waste gas and rendering said BTEX waste gas more suitable as a combustible fuel; BTEX stripper waste gas conveyance means for collecting and conveying BTEX stripper waste gas produced by said second stripping in said BTEX stripper from said BTEX stripper after exposure to said lean amine in said upper portion of said BTEX stripper; and process heater means for providing heat for heat-requiring processes occurring through operation of said natural gas processing facility, said process heater means operating through combustion of combustible fuel, said process heater means being connected with said BTEX stripper waste gas conveyance means for receiving substantially all of said BTEX stripper waste gas produced through operation of said BTEX stripper and combusting said BTEX stripper waste gas whereby said BTEX stripper waste gas serves as said combustible fuel for said process heater means.