Process and system for recovering glycol from glycol/brine streams
US6023003A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 13, 1998 |
| Grant date | Feb 8, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 13, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S159/40
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process and a system is disclosed for recovering glycol from glycol and brine mixtures produced from oil or natural gas wells that combines energy efficiency with a capability for handling salt and other solids contained in the mixture. The system comprises three effect evaporator systems in series. Each effect evaporator system comprises an evaporator, a separator vessel, product pumps, and a solids removal system. The process utilizes the system to remove salt and other solids as well as excess water leaving a glycol stream that can be reused as a hydrate inhibitor. The process begins by preheating a glycol/brine stream comprising approximately fifty percent (50%) glycol. The stream is then subjected to three evaporation cycles. The first evaporation cycle comprises introducing the preheated stream into a suppressed boiling point evaporator where the stream is heated under a constant pressure. The stream pressure is then dropped to cause a portion of the water contained in the stream to vaporize or flash. The flashing stream is then introduced into a separator vessel where the water vapor is separated from the remaining liquid stream. The water vapor is removed from the separat…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.