Patent ID: 7152431
Filing Date: 2006-12-26
Classification: C10L,F25J,Y02C

Abstract:
1. A process for removing contaminants from a natural gas feed stream containing water and a sour species comprising: dehydrating the natural gas feed stream in a first vessel; removing from the first vessel a stream of dehydrated gas; cooling the dehydrated gas in a second vessel to a second operating temperature at which solids of the sour species are formed or at which the sour species dissolve in a liquid; removing from the second vessel a stream of dehydrated sweetened gas; wherein dehydrating the natural gas feed stream comprises cooling the natural gas feed stream in the first vessel to a first operating temperature to form hydrates; and wherein cooling the natural gas feed stream comprises introducing the natural gas feed stream and a stream of liquid into the first vessel at a temperature that is below the first operating temperature to form a slurry with the hydrates.