IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,017,180
Granted Patent B2
US 12,017,180 · App. 17/357,567 · Granted Jun 25, 2024

Improving sulfur recovery operations with processes based on novel CO

Inventors: Milind Vaidya (Dhahran, SA); Sebastien Duval (Dhahran, SA); Feras Hamad (Dhahran, SA); Richard Baker (Newark, CA); Tim Merkel (Newark, CA); Kaaeid Lokhandwala (Newark, CA); Ahmad Bahamdan (Dhahran, SA); Faisal Al-Otaibi (Dhahran, SA)
Assignees: Saudi Arabian Oil Company; Membrane Technology and Research, Inc.
B01D53/226B01D71/24B01D71/32C01B17/508C01B17/56
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,017,180
App. No.
17/357,567
Granted
Jun 25, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods and systems for recovering sulfur dioxide from a Claus unit process emissions stream are provided. The method comprises the steps of generating a process emissions stream from a thermal oxidizer or other combustion device, introducing the emissions stream to an SO 2 removal system, introducing the SO 2 rich stream from the SO 2 removal system to a CO 2 removal system, and introducing an enriched SO 2 stream back to the Claus unit. The SO 2 removal system can include one or more SO 2 selective membranes. The CO 2 removal system can include one or more CO 2 selective membranes.

Claims (161)

1. A method for processing sulfur dioxide emissions from a sulfur removal unit for improved operating conditions when treated streams are recycled to the sulfur removal unit, the method comprising the steps of:

introducing an SO 2 emissions stream to an SO 2 removal system, the SO 2 removal system comprising an SO 2 selective membrane, operable to separate sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide, wherein the SO 2 emissions stream is saturated with water and further comprises sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide;

separating sulfur dioxide and carbon dioxide in the SO 2 removal system by the SO 2 selective membrane;

generating a CO 2 removal system feed stream from the SO 2 removal system;

generating a low SO 2 discharge stream from the SO 2 removal system;

introducing the CO 2 removal system feed stream to a CO 2 removal system, the CO 2 removal system comprising a CO 2 selective membrane, operable to separate carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide;

separating carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide in the CO 2 removal system by the CO 2 selective membrane;

generating an SO 2 rich recycle derived from the CO 2 removal system, such that the SO 2 rich recycle has a higher concentration of sulfur dioxide than the SO 2 emissions stream, and further such that the SO 2 rich recycle has a lower concentration of carbon dioxide than the SO 2 emissions stream; and

generating a CO 2 waste gas from the CO 2 removal system.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising the step of recycling the SO 2 rich recycle to the sulfur removal unit, such that the introduction of the SO 2 rich recycle to the sulfur removal unit allows for additional sulfur recovery while assisting in maintaining a proper temperature profile in the sulfur removal unit due to the lower concentration of carbon dioxide in the SO 2 rich recycle, and further such that an amount of a fuel gas introduced to the sulfur removal unit is reduced.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the SO 2 emissions stream is generated from a combustion device in the sulfur removal unit.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sulfur removal unit is selected from the group consisting of: a Claus plant, a sulfur scrubber, a metallurgical smelting process, a FCC catalyst regeneration process, and combinations of the same.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the low SO 2 discharge stream comprises less than 150 ppm sulfur dioxide.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the low SO 2 discharge stream comprises less than 100 ppm sulfur dioxide.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the SO 2 removal system comprises a rubbery polar membrane.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the CO 2 selective membrane comprises a perfluoropolymer.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the perfluoropolymer is a monomer, copolymer, block copolymer, terpolymer, or block terpolymer generated by a combination of monomers selected from the group of monomers: having the chemical structure

where m is repeated to generate the perfluoropolymer polymer material; having the chemical structure

where m or n is repeated to generate the perfluoropolymer; having the chemical structure

where m or n is repeated to generate the perfluoropolymer; perfluoro(2-methylene-4,5-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolane); perfluoro(2-methylene-1,3-dioxolane); perfluoro-2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxole (PDD); and perfluoro-3-butenyl-vinyl ether (PBVE).

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the perfluoropolymer is a homopolymer, a copolymer, a block copolymer, a terpolymer, a block terpolymer, or any other combination of the monomers selected from the group of monomers consisting of:

and combinations of the same.

11. The method of claim 1 , wherein the SO 2 removal system comprises an SO 2 selective membrane unit, the SO 2 selective membrane unit comprising an SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and an SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, and the CO 2 removal system comprises a CO 2 selective membrane unit, the CO 2 selective membrane unit comprising a CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and a CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, and the method further comprising the steps of:

introducing the SO 2 emissions stream to the SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the SO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow sulfur dioxide to permeate the SO 2 selective membrane in preference to carbon dioxide;

causing sulfur dioxide to pass through the SO 2 selective membrane in the SO 2 selective membrane unit to produce the CO 2 removal system feed stream from the SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side;

removing the low SO 2 discharge stream from the SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side;

introducing the CO 2 removal system feed stream to the CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the CO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow carbon dioxide to permeate the CO 2 selective membrane in preference to sulfur dioxide;

causing the carbon dioxide to pass through the CO 2 selective membrane in the CO 2 selective membrane unit to produce the CO 2 waste gas from the CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side; and

removing the SO 2 rich recycle from the CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of recycling the CO 2 waste gas to the SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, such that additional sulfur dioxide is recovered in the SO 2 rich recycle.

13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising the step of recycling the SO 2 rich recycle to the sulfur removal unit, such that the introduction of the SO 2 rich recycle to the sulfur removal unit allows for additional sulfur recovery while assisting in maintaining a proper temperature profile in the sulfur removal unit due to the lower concentration of carbon dioxide in the SO 2 rich recycle, and further such that an amount of a fuel gas introduced to the sulfur removal unit is reduced.

14. The method of claim 13 , further comprising the step of providing an air sweep to the SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, such that the SO 2 rich recycle provides an oxygen source to substitute a portion of air introduced to the sulfur removal unit.

15. The method of claim 1 , wherein the SO 2 removal system comprises an SO 2 selective membrane unit, the SO 2 selective membrane unit comprising an SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and an SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, and the CO 2 removal system comprises a CO 2 selective membrane unit, the CO 2 selective membrane unit comprising a CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and a CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, and the CO 2 removal system further comprises a polishing SO 2 selective membrane unit, the polishing SO 2 selective membrane unit comprising a polishing SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and a polishing SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, and the method further comprising the steps of:

introducing the SO 2 emissions stream to the SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the SO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow sulfur dioxide to permeate the SO 2 selective membrane in preference to carbon dioxide;

causing sulfur dioxide to pass through the SO 2 selective membrane in the SO 2 selective membrane unit to produce the CO 2 removal system feed stream from the SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side;

removing the low SO 2 discharge stream from the SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side;

introducing the CO 2 removal system feed stream to the CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the CO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow carbon dioxide to permeate the CO 2 selective membrane in preference to sulfur dioxide;

causing carbon dioxide to pass through the CO 2 selective membrane in the CO 2 selective membrane unit to produce the CO 2 waste gas from the CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side;

removing a CO 2 membrane retentate stream from the CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side;

introducing the CO 2 membrane retentate stream to the polishing SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the polishing SO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow sulfur dioxide to permeate the SO 2 selective membrane in preference to carbon dioxide;

causing sulfur dioxide to pass through the SO 2 selective membrane in the polishing SO 2 selective membrane unit to produce the SO 2 rich recycle from the polishing SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side; and

removing a polishing SO 2 selective membrane retentate stream from the polishing SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of recycling the CO 2 waste gas to the SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, such that additional sulfur dioxide is recovered in the SO 2 rich recycle.

17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of recycling the polishing SO 2 selective membrane retentate stream to the SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, such that additional sulfur dioxide is recovered in the SO 2 rich recycle.

18. The method of claim 15 , further comprising the step of recycling the SO 2 rich recycle to the sulfur removal unit, such that the introduction of the SO 2 rich recycle to the sulfur removal unit allows for additional sulfur recovery while assisting in maintaining a proper temperature profile in the sulfur removal unit due to the lower concentration of carbon dioxide in the SO 2 rich recycle, and further such that an amount of a fuel gas introduced to the sulfur removal unit is reduced.

19. The method of claim 18 , further comprising the step of providing an air sweep to the SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, such that the SO 2 rich recycle provides an oxygen source to substitute a portion of air introduced to the sulfur removal unit.

20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the SO 2 removal system comprises a first SO 2 selective membrane unit, the first SO 2 selective membrane unit comprising a first SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and a first SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, and the SO 2 removal system further comprises a second SO 2 selective membrane unit, the second SO 2 selective membrane unit comprising a second SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and a second SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, and further wherein the CO 2 removal system comprises a first CO 2 selective membrane unit, the first CO 2 selective membrane unit comprising a first CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and a first CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, and the CO 2 removal system further comprises a second CO 2 selective membrane unit, the second CO 2 selective membrane unit comprising a second CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and a second CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, the method further comprising the steps of:

introducing the SO 2 emissions stream to the first SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the first SO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow sulfur dioxide to permeate the SO 2 selective membrane in preference to carbon dioxide;

causing sulfur dioxide to pass through the SO 2 selective membrane in the first SO 2 selective membrane unit to produce the CO 2 removal system feed stream from the first SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side;

removing an SO 2 membrane retentate stream from the first SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side;

introducing the SO 2 membrane retentate stream to the second SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the second SO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow sulfur dioxide to permeate the SO 2 selective membrane in preference to carbon dioxide;

causing sulfur dioxide to pass through the SO 2 selective membrane in the second SO 2 selective membrane unit to produce an SO 2 membrane permeate stream from the second SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side;

removing the low SO 2 discharge stream from the second SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side;

introducing the CO 2 removal system feed stream to the first CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the first CO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow carbon dioxide to permeate the CO 2 selective membrane in preference to sulfur dioxide;

causing carbon dioxide to pass through the CO 2 selective membrane in the first CO 2 selective membrane unit to produce the CO 2 waste gas from the first CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side;

removing a CO 2 membrane retentate stream from the first CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side;

introducing the CO 2 membrane retentate stream to the second CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the second CO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow carbon dioxide to permeate the CO 2 selective membrane in preference to sulfur dioxide;

causing carbon dioxide to pass through the CO 2 selective membrane in the second CO 2 selective membrane unit to produce a CO 2 membrane permeate stream from the second CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side; and

removing the SO 2 rich recycle from the second CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side.

21. The method of claim 20 , further comprising the step of providing an air sweep to the second SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side.

22. The method of claim 20 , further comprising the step of recycling the SO 2 membrane permeate stream to the sulfur removal unit, wherein the carbon dioxide concentration of the SO 2 membrane permeate stream is lower than the concentration in the SO 2 emissions stream, such that the introduction of the SO 2 membrane permeate stream to the sulfur removal unit allows for additional sulfur recovery while assisting in maintaining a proper temperature profile in the sulfur removal unit due to the lower concentration of carbon dioxide in the SO 2 rich recycle, and further such that an amount of a fuel gas introduced to the sulfur removal unit is reduced.

23. The method of claim 20 , further comprising the step of recycling the SO 2 rich recycle to the sulfur removal unit, such that the introduction of the SO 2 rich recycle to the sulfur removal unit allows for additional sulfur recovery while assisting in maintaining a proper temperature profile in the sulfur removal unit due to the lower concentration of carbon dioxide in the SO 2 rich recycle, and further such that an amount of a fuel gas introduced to the sulfur removal unit is reduced.

24. The method of claim 20 , further comprising the step of recycling the CO 2 waste gas to the first SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, such that additional sulfur dioxide is recovered in the SO 2 rich recycle.

25. The method of claim 20 , further comprising the step of recycling the CO 2 membrane permeate stream to the first SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, such that additional carbon dioxide is removed in the CO 2 waste gas, and further such that additional sulfur dioxide is recovered in the SO 2 rich recycle.

26. The method of claim 20 , further comprising the step of recycling the CO 2 membrane permeate stream to the first CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, such that additional carbon dioxide is removed in the CO 2 waste gas, and further such that additional sulfur dioxide is recovered in the SO 2 rich recycle.

27. The method of claim 20 , further comprising the step of recycling the CO 2 waste gas to the second SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, such that additional sulfur dioxide is recovered in the SO 2 rich recycle.

28. The method of claim 20 , further comprising the step of recycling the low SO 2 discharge stream to the first SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, such that the low SO 2 discharge stream creates a gas sweep of the SO 2 selective membrane in the first SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side.

29. The method of claim 1 , wherein the SO 2 removal system comprises a first SO 2 selective membrane unit, the first SO 2 selective membrane unit comprising a first SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and a first SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, and the SO 2 removal system further comprises a second SO 2 selective membrane unit, the second SO 2 selective membrane unit comprising a second SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and a second SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, and further wherein the CO 2 removal system comprises a first CO 2 selective membrane unit, the first CO 2 selective membrane unit comprising a first CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and a first CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, and the CO 2 removal system further comprises a second CO 2 selective membrane unit, the second CO 2 selective membrane unit comprising a second CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and a second CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, and the CO 2 removal system further comprises a third CO 2 selective membrane unit, the third CO 2 selective membrane unit comprising a third CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and a third CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, the method further comprising the steps of:

introducing the SO 2 emissions stream to the first SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the first SO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow sulfur dioxide to permeate the SO 2 selective membrane in preference to carbon dioxide;

causing sulfur dioxide to pass through the SO 2 selective membrane in the first SO 2 selective membrane unit to produce the CO 2 removal system feed stream from the first SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side;

removing an SO 2 membrane retentate stream from the first SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side;

introducing the SO 2 membrane retentate stream to the second SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the second SO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow sulfur dioxide to permeate the SO 2 selective membrane in preference to carbon dioxide;

causing sulfur dioxide to pass through the SO 2 selective membrane in the second SO 2 selective membrane unit to produce an SO 2 membrane permeate stream from the second SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side;

removing the low SO 2 discharge stream from the second SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side;

introducing the CO 2 removal system feed stream to the first CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the first CO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow carbon dioxide to permeate the CO 2 selective membrane in preference to sulfur dioxide;

causing carbon dioxide to pass through the CO 2 selective membrane in the first CO 2 selective membrane unit to produce a first CO 2 membrane permeate stream from the first CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side;

removing a first CO 2 membrane retentate stream from the first CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side;

introducing the first CO 2 membrane retentate stream to the second CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the second CO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow carbon dioxide to permeate the CO 2 selective membrane in preference to sulfur dioxide;

causing carbon dioxide to pass through the CO 2 selective membrane in the second CO 2 selective membrane unit to produce a second CO 2 membrane permeate stream from the second CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side;

removing the SO 2 rich recycle from the second CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side;

introducing the first CO 2 membrane permeate stream to the third CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the third CO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow carbon dioxide to permeate the CO 2 selective membrane in preference to sulfur dioxide;

causing carbon dioxide to pass through the CO 2 selective membrane in the third CO 2 selective membrane unit to produce the CO 2 waste gas from the third CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side; and

removing a second CO 2 membrane retentate stream from the third CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side.

30. The method of claim 29 , further comprising the step of recycling the SO 2 rich recycle to the sulfur removal unit, such that the introduction of the SO 2 rich recycle to the sulfur removal unit allows for additional sulfur recovery while assisting in maintaining a proper temperature profile in the sulfur removal unit due to the lower concentration of carbon dioxide in the SO 2 rich recycle, and further such that an amount of a fuel gas introduced to the sulfur removal unit is reduced.

31. The method of claim 29 , further comprising the step of providing an air sweep to the second SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side.

32. The method of claim 29 , further comprising the step of recycling the second CO 2 membrane retentate stream to the first CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, such that additional CO 2 is removed in the CO 2 waste gas, and further such that additional sulfur dioxide is recovered in the SO 2 rich recycle.

33. The method of claim 29 , further comprising the step of recycling the second CO 2 membrane retentate stream to the first CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, such that such that additional carbon dioxide is removed in the CO 2 waste gas, and further such that additional sulfur dioxide is recovered in the SO 2 rich recycle.

34. The method of claim 1 , wherein the SO 2 removal system comprises an SO 2 selective membrane unit, the SO 2 selective membrane unit comprising an SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and an SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, and the CO 2 removal system comprises a CO 2 selective membrane unit, the CO 2 selective membrane unit comprising a CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and a CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, and the method further comprising the steps of:

introducing the SO 2 emissions stream to the SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the SO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow sulfur dioxide to permeate the SO 2 selective membrane in preference to carbon dioxide;

generating vacuum pressure on the SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side with an SO 2 selective membrane vacuum;

causing sulfur dioxide to pass through the SO 2 selective membrane in the SO 2 selective membrane unit to produce an SO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream from the SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side;

passing the SO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream through the SO 2 selective membrane vacuum to generate the CO 2 removal system feed stream;

removing the low SO 2 discharge stream from the SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side;

introducing the CO 2 removal system feed stream to the CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the CO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow carbon dioxide to permeate the CO 2 selective membrane in preference to sulfur dioxide;

generating vacuum pressure on the CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side with a CO 2 selective membrane vacuum;

causing carbon dioxide to pass through the CO 2 selective membrane in the CO 2 selective membrane unit to produce a CO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream from the CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side;

passing the CO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream through the CO 2 selective membrane vacuum to generate the CO 2 waste gas; and

removing the SO 2 rich recycle from the CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side.

35. The method of claim 1 , wherein the SO 2 removal system comprises an SO 2 selective membrane unit, the SO 2 selective membrane unit comprising an SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and an SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, and the CO 2 removal system comprises a CO 2 selective membrane unit, the CO 2 selective membrane unit comprising a CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and a CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, and the CO 2 removal system further comprises a polishing SO 2 selective membrane unit, the polishing SO 2 selective membrane unit comprising a polishing SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and a polishing SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, and the method further comprising the steps of:

introducing the SO 2 emissions stream to the SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the SO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow sulfur dioxide to permeate the SO 2 selective membrane in preference to carbon dioxide;

generating vacuum pressure on the SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side with an SO 2 selective membrane vacuum;

causing sulfur dioxide to pass through the SO 2 selective membrane in the SO 2 selective membrane unit to produce an SO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream from the SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side;

passing the SO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream through the SO 2 selective membrane vacuum to generate the CO 2 removal system feed stream;

removing the low SO 2 discharge stream from the SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side;

introducing the CO 2 removal system feed stream to the CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the CO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow carbon dioxide to permeate the CO 2 selective membrane in preference to sulfur dioxide;

generating vacuum pressure on the CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side with a CO 2 selective membrane vacuum;

causing carbon dioxide to pass through the CO 2 selective membrane in the CO 2 selective membrane unit to produce a CO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream from the CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side;

passing the CO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream through the CO 2 selective membrane vacuum to generate the CO 2 waste gas;

removing a CO 2 membrane retentate stream from the CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side;

introducing the CO 2 membrane retentate stream to the polishing SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the polishing SO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow sulfur dioxide to permeate the SO 2 selective membrane in preference to carbon dioxide;

generating vacuum pressure on the polishing SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side with a polishing SO 2 selective membrane vacuum;

causing sulfur dioxide to pass through the SO 2 selective membrane in the polishing SO 2 selective membrane unit to produce a polishing SO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream from the polishing SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side;

passing the polishing SO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream through the polishing SO 2 selective membrane vacuum to generate the SO 2 rich recycle; and

removing a polishing SO 2 selective membrane retentate stream from the polishing SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side.

36. The method of claim 1 , wherein the SO 2 removal system comprises a first SO 2 selective membrane unit, the first SO 2 selective membrane unit comprising a first SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and a first SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, and the SO 2 removal system further comprises a second SO 2 selective membrane unit, the second SO 2 selective membrane unit comprising a second SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and a second SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, and further wherein the CO 2 removal system comprises a first CO 2 selective membrane unit, the first CO 2 selective membrane unit comprising a first CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and a first CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, and the CO 2 removal system further comprises a second CO 2 selective membrane unit, the second CO 2 selective membrane unit comprising a second CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and a second CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, the method further comprising the steps of:

introducing the SO 2 emissions stream to the first SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the first SO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow sulfur dioxide to permeate the SO 2 selective membrane in preference to carbon dioxide;

generating vacuum pressure on the first SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side with a first SO 2 selective membrane vacuum;

causing sulfur dioxide to pass through the SO 2 selective membrane in the first SO 2 selective membrane unit to produce a first SO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream from the first SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side;

passing the first SO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream through the first SO 2 selective membrane vacuum to generate the CO 2 removal system feed stream;

removing an SO 2 membrane retentate stream from the first SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side;

introducing the SO 2 membrane retentate stream to the second SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the second SO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow sulfur dioxide to permeate the SO 2 selective membrane in preference to carbon dioxide;

generating vacuum pressure on the second SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side with a second SO 2 selective membrane vacuum;

causing sulfur dioxide to pass through the SO 2 selective membrane in the second SO 2 selective membrane unit to produce a second SO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream from the second SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side;

passing the second SO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream through the second SO 2 selective membrane vacuum to generate an SO 2 membrane permeate stream;

removing the low SO 2 discharge stream from the second SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side;

introducing the CO 2 removal system feed stream to the first CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the first CO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow carbon dioxide to permeate the CO 2 selective membrane in preference to sulfur dioxide;

generating vacuum pressure on the first CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side with a first CO 2 selective membrane vacuum;

causing carbon dioxide to pass through the CO 2 selective membrane in the first CO 2 selective membrane unit to produce a first CO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream from the first CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side;

passing the first CO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream through the first CO 2 selective membrane vacuum to generate the CO 2 waste gas;

removing a CO 2 membrane retentate stream from the first CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side;

introducing the CO 2 membrane retentate stream to the second CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the second CO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow carbon dioxide to permeate the CO 2 selective membrane in preference to sulfur dioxide;

generating vacuum pressure on the second CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side with a second CO 2 selective membrane vacuum;

causing carbon dioxide to pass through the CO 2 selective membrane in the second CO 2 selective membrane unit to produce a second CO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream from the second CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side;

passing the second CO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream through the second CO 2 selective membrane vacuum to generate a CO 2 membrane permeate stream; and

removing the SO 2 rich recycle from the second CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side.

37. The method of claim 1 , wherein the SO 2 removal system comprises a first SO 2 selective membrane unit, the first SO 2 selective membrane unit comprising a first SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and a first SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, and the SO 2 removal system further comprises a second SO 2 selective membrane unit, the second SO 2 selective membrane unit comprising a second SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and a second SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, and further wherein the CO 2 removal system comprises a first CO 2 selective membrane unit, the first CO 2 selective membrane unit comprising a first CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and a first CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, and the CO 2 removal system further comprises a second CO 2 selective membrane unit, the second CO 2 selective membrane unit comprising a second CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and a second CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, and the CO 2 removal system further comprises a third CO 2 selective membrane unit, the third CO 2 selective membrane unit comprising a third CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side and a third CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side, the method further comprising the steps of:

introducing the SO 2 emissions stream to the first SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the first SO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow sulfur dioxide to permeate the SO 2 selective membrane in preference to carbon dioxide;

generating vacuum pressure on the first SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side with a first SO 2 selective membrane vacuum;

causing sulfur dioxide to pass through the SO 2 selective membrane in the first SO 2 selective membrane unit to produce a first SO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream from the first SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side;

passing the first SO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream through the first SO 2 selective membrane vacuum to generate the CO 2 removal system feed stream;

removing an SO 2 membrane retentate stream from the first SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side;

introducing the SO 2 membrane retentate stream to the second SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the second SO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow sulfur dioxide to permeate the SO 2 selective membrane in preference to carbon dioxide;

generating vacuum pressure on the second SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side with a second SO 2 selective membrane vacuum;

causing sulfur dioxide to pass through the SO 2 selective membrane in the second SO 2 selective membrane unit to produce a second SO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream from the second SO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side;

passing the second SO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream through the second SO 2 selective membrane vacuum to generate an SO 2 membrane permeate stream;

removing the low SO 2 discharge stream from the second SO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side;

introducing the CO 2 removal system feed stream to the first CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the first CO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow carbon dioxide to permeate the CO 2 selective membrane in preference to sulfur dioxide;

generating vacuum pressure on the first CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side with a first CO 2 selective membrane vacuum;

causing carbon dioxide to pass through the CO 2 selective membrane in the first CO 2 selective membrane unit to produce a first CO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream from the first CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side;

passing the first CO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream through the first CO 2 selective membrane vacuum to generate a first CO 2 membrane permeate stream;

removing a first CO 2 membrane retentate stream from the first CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side;

introducing the first CO 2 membrane retentate stream to the second CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the second CO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow carbon dioxide to permeate the CO 2 selective membrane in preference to sulfur dioxide;

generating vacuum pressure on the second CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side with a second CO 2 selective membrane vacuum;

causing carbon dioxide to pass through the CO 2 selective membrane in the second CO 2 selective membrane unit to produce a second CO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream from the second CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side;

passing the second CO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream through the second CO 2 selective membrane vacuum to generate a second CO 2 membrane permeate stream;

removing the SO 2 rich recycle from the second CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side;

introducing the first CO 2 membrane permeate stream to the third CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side, the third CO 2 selective membrane unit operable to allow carbon dioxide to permeate the CO 2 selective membrane in preference to sulfur dioxide;

generating vacuum pressure on the third CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side with a third CO 2 selective membrane vacuum;

causing carbon dioxide to pass through the CO 2 selective membrane in the third CO 2 selective membrane unit to produce a third CO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream from the third CO 2 selective membrane unit permeate side;

passing the third CO 2 selective membrane permeate vacuum stream through the third CO 2 selective membrane vacuum to generate the CO 2 waste gas; and

removing a second CO 2 membrane retentate stream from the third CO 2 selective membrane unit retentate side.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 24, 2021
From: VAIDYA, MILIND; DUVAL, SEBASTIEN; HAMAD, FERAS; BAHAMDAN, AHMAD; AL-OTAIBI, FAISAL
To: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
Reel/Frame 056660/0978 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 24, 2021
From: BAKER, RICHARD; MERKEL, TIM; LOKHANDWALA, KAAEID
To: MEMBRANE TECHNOLOGY AND RESEARCH, INC
Reel/Frame 056661/0080 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230001349A1 · Jan 5, 2023
Cited By (1)
US 12,654,126