Patent ID: 7901488
Filing Date: 2011-03-08
Classification: B01D,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method for removing an acid gas from a gaseous stream using absorption and stripping equipment, comprising: (a) contacting the gaseous stream with a solvent in the absorption equipment such that a rich solvent stream exits the absorption equipment; (b) feeding a portion of the rich solvent stream to each of n strippers having stripping zones, wherein n is a fixed integer greater than 1 and wherein the j-th stripper is operated at a higher pressure than and has one less stripping zone than the (j+1)-th stripper, wherein j is a variable integer greater than or equal to 1 but less than n; (c) supplying heat from a distinct, unlinked source to the j-th stripper such that a partially regenerated solvent stream exits from each of the stripping zones and is fed to the (j+1)-th stripper at a point below where the portion of the rich solvent stream is fed to the (j+1)-th stripper, wherein the distinct, unlinked source is an independent source of heat that does not derive its heat from a source supplying heat to one of the other strippers; and (d) supplying heat from a distinct, unlinked source to the n-th stripper such that a partially regenerated solvent stream exits from each of the stripping zones and is cross-exchanged with one of the portions of the rich solvent stream that are being fed to the n strippers, wherein the distinct, unlinked source is an independent source of heat that does not derive its heat from a source supplying heat to one of the other strippers; wherein an acid gas is removed from the gaseous stream.