US Patent:
20110138854, Jun 16, 2011
Inventors:
Shawn S. Huang - Spring TX, US
Douglas Elliot - Houston TX, US
Jame Yao - Sugar Land TX, US
Wei Yan - Houston TX, US
Naushad A. Kassamali - Houston TX, US
Mark S. Elkins - Katy TX, US
Assignee:
CONOCOPHILLIPS COMPANY - Houston TX
International Classification:
F25J 3/00
Abstract:
Methods and systems are provided for treating hydrogen sulfide rich sour gas through a series of fractionation columns. The processes disclosed herein and the variations thereof provide optimized processes for the removal of hydrogen sulfide from sour gas through the introduction of innovative azeotrope breakers, novel configurations of process equipment, and optimized operating conditions. Advantages of certain embodiments of the present invention include reduced equipment requirements, improved process efficiencies, reduced operating costs, and reduced capital costs. Other advantages include better process suitability to certain environmental conditions such as the arctic cold when compared to conventional amine treatment processes.