A Multistage Fluidized Bed for the Deep Removal of Sour Gases: Proof of Concept and Tray Efficiencies

Abstract

Currently there are significant amounts of natural gas that cannot be produced and treated to meet pipeline specifications, because that would not be economically viable. This work investigates a bench scale multistage fluidized bed (MSFB) with shallow beds for sour gas removal from natural gas using a commercially available supported amine sorbent. A MSFB is regarded as a promising adsorber type for deep sour gas removal to parts per million concentrations. A series of experiments was conducted using carbon dioxide as sour gas and nitrogen to mimic natural gas. Removal below 3 mol ppm was successfully demonstrated. This indicates that gas bypassing is minor (that is, good gas–solid contacting) and that apparent adsorption kinetics are fast for the amine sorbent applied. Tray efficiencies for a chemisorption/adsorption system were reported for one of the first times. Current experiments performed at atmospheric pressure strongly indicate that deep removal is possible at higher pressures in a multistage fluidized bed.

Structured bubbling in layered gas‐fluidized beds subject to vibration: A CFD‐DEM study

“…The proposed layered configuration is similar to the concept of multistage fluidized beds that have been used in carbon capture, 21 biomass gasification, 22 methanol to aromatics, 23 and deep removal of sour gases. 24 Generally, multistage fluidized beds can be classified into two categories. Type A uses baffles with large opening sizes to separate different stages with or without the use of downcomers for particles flowing from top stages to bottom stages.…”

“…Type A uses baffles with large opening sizes to separate different stages with or without the use of downcomers for particles flowing from top stages to bottom stages. 21,22,24,25 Particles in different stages are thus allowed to exchange for Type A multistage fluidized beds. In contrast, Type B separates two neighboring stages using distributors with small opening sizes, such that particles in different stages flow independently without exchange.…”

“…Like traditional vibrated fluidized beds, 12,20 the added vibration will make the whole setup of the layered fluidized bed vibrate entirely. The proposed layered configuration is similar to the concept of multistage fluidized beds that have been used in carbon capture, 21 biomass gasification, 22 methanol to aromatics, 23 and deep removal of sour gases 24 . Generally, multistage fluidized beds can be classified into two categories.…”

Heterogeneous catalysis in multi‐stage fluidized bed reactors: From fundamental study to industrial application

“…Basic research, such as gas‐solid hydrodynamics research and stability control for multi‐fluid beds, has always been very active . Besides, multi‐stage fluidized bed reactors have been applied in various fields, such as drying, adsorption, calcination, regeneration of catalyst, etc., and have become an important branch of fluidization . This review will mostly focus on the recent efforts made in both fundamental understanding and heterogeneous catalytic process development of multi‐stage fluidized beds at the research group of Prof. Fei Wei in FLOTU.…”

Room temperature imidazolium-based ionic liquids as scavengers for hydrogen sulfide removal of crude oil

“…According g to the international environmental regulations, H 2 S contained in the acid gases should be effectively removed before emission to atmosphere [8,9]. H 2 S is commonly removed from natural and synthesis gases through chemical absorption using aqueous solutions of organic bases like single amines, amine mixtures, or mixtures of an amine and a salt of an amino acid [10][11][12]. Extensive research has been conducted by several groups on aqueous solutions of alkanolamines, especially Room temperature imidazolium-based ionic liquids as scavengers for hydrogen sulfide removal of crude oil…”