Method for treating contaminated gas
A method for treating natural gas using a vessel having a manifold for introducing gas in the vessel, a flow disperser above the manifold that prevents channeling of the gas, a spray system for spraying a treating liquid into an upwardly rising column of gas and, optionally, a liquid level controller for maintaining the level of a pool of treating liquid above the flow disperser.
1. A method for treating contaminated gas comprising:
introducing a contaminated gas into a high pressure vessel comprising a pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid, wherein the contaminated gas is introduced through a manifold at a level below the top level of the pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid;
dispersing the contaminated gas through a flow disperser wherein the flow disperser is positioned in the vessel between the manifold and the top level of the pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid and is operable to prevent channeling of the contaminated gas; and
spraying the contaminant-absorbing liquid from a position above the level of the pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid, wherein the contaminant-absorbing liquid moves in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of the contaminated gas.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of dispersing the contaminated gas through a flow disperser comprises dispersing the contaminated gas through a first flow disperser comprising a first perforated plate and dispersing the contaminated gas through a second flow disperser comprising a second perforated plate.
3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of introducing the contaminated gas that exits the vessel and contaminant-absorbing liquid into a mixer.
4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of introducing the contaminated gas that exits the vessel and contaminant-absorbing liquid into a cooler.
5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of reheating the contaminant-absorbing liquid in a heat exchanger after the liquid exits the cooler.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of establishing a pressure of at least 800 pounds per square inch (psi) over atmospheric pressure within the vessel.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein contaminant-absorbing liquid comprises an amine.
8. A method for treating contaminated gas comprising:
introducing a contaminated gas into a high pressure vessel comprising a pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid, wherein the contaminated gas is introduced through a manifold at a level below the top level of the pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid;
dispersing the contaminated gas through a first perforated plate wherein the perforated plate is positioned in the vessel between the manifold and the top level of the pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid and is operable to prevent channeling of the contaminated gas; and
spraying the contaminant-absorbing liquid from a position above the level of the pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid, wherein the contaminant-absorbing liquid moves in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of the contaminated gas.
9. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of dispersing the contaminated gas through a second perforated plate wherein the perforated plate is positioned in the vessel between the first perforated plate and the top level of the pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid and is operable to prevent channeling of the contaminated gas.
10. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of introducing the contaminated gas that exits the vessel and contaminant-absorbing liquid into a mixer.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein the step of spraying the contaminant-absorbing liquid from a position above the level of the pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid comprises using a nozzle to form small-sized drops of contaminant-absorbing liquid.
12. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of maintaining the level of contaminant-absorbing liquid in the high pressure vessel above the first perforated plate while treating the contaminated gas.
13. The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of establishing a pressure of at least 800 pounds per square inch (psi) over atmospheric pressure within the vessel.
14. The method of claim 8 wherein contaminant-absorbing liquid comprises an amine.
15. A method for treating contaminated gas comprising:
establishing a pressure of at least 800 pounds per square inch (psi) over atmospheric pressure within a high pressure vessel
establishing a pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid within the vessel;
introducing a contaminated gas into the vessel, wherein the contaminated gas is introduced through a manifold at a level below the top level of the pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid;
dispersing the contaminated gas through a flow disperser wherein the flow disperser is positioned in the vessel between the manifold and the top level of the pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid and is operable to prevent channeling of the contaminated gas; and
spraying the contaminant-absorbing liquid from a position above the level of the pool of contaminant-absorbing liquid, wherein the contaminant-absorbing liquid moves in a direction opposite to the direction of flow of the contaminated gas.