Patent ID: 6551379
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: B01D

Abstract:
In apparatus for use with a natural gas dehydrator wherein a supply of natural gas is fed into an absorber wherein it is subjected to dry glycol to remove undesirable materials, including water, therefrom so that the dry glycol is changed into wet glycol that is removed from the absorber, the method comprising:providing first separator apparatus containing a supply of wet glycol and located to receive wet glycol from said absorber; transferring at least portions of said wet glycol in said first separator apparatus to a still column of a reboiler apparatus using a first transfer apparatus so that said transferred portions of said wet glycol can be changed to at least dry glycol and effluent; transferring said effluent from said still column to condenser apparatus using a second transfer apparatus; converting said effluent into at least liquids and uncondensed vapors in said condenser apparatus; providing second separator apparatus; transferring said liquids and said uncondensed vapors to said second separator apparatus using a third transfer apparatus; circulating other portions of said wet glycol from said first separator apparatus in a circulatory path and returning said other portions of said wet glycol to said first separator apparatus; separating at least most of said uncondensed vapors from said liquids in said second separator apparatus; and entraining and compressing most of said uncondensed vapors with said circulating other portions of said wet glycol to be returned therewith to said first separator apparatus.