Cyclone-coalescence separation technology for enhanced droplet removal in natural gas purification process

doi:10.1016/j.cjche.2024.09.001

中国化学工程学报 ›› 2024, Vol. 75 ›› Issue (11): 191-203.DOI: 10.1016/j.cjche.2024.09.001

Cyclone-coalescence separation technology for enhanced droplet removal in natural gas purification process

Jianan Fan¹, Xianggang Zhang¹, Xia Jiang^2,3, Zhenghao Yang¹, Lingling Xie¹, Liwang Wang⁴, Liang Ma^2,3, Hualin Wang⁴, Yulong Chang^2,3

1. College of Architecture & Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China;
2. College of Carbon Neutrality Future Technology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China;
3. Tianfu Yongxing Laboratory, Chengdu 610213, China;
4. National-Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Wastewater Treatment, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China

收稿日期:2024-03-03 修回日期:2024-09-11 接受日期:2024-09-12 出版日期:2024-11-28 发布日期:2024-09-27
通讯作者: Yulong Chang,E-mail:changyulong1218@163.com
基金资助:
This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Youth Fund) (52300136).

Cyclone-coalescence separation technology for enhanced droplet removal in natural gas purification process

Jianan Fan¹, Xianggang Zhang¹, Xia Jiang^2,3, Zhenghao Yang¹, Lingling Xie¹, Liwang Wang⁴, Liang Ma^2,3, Hualin Wang⁴, Yulong Chang^2,3

1. College of Architecture & Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China;
2. College of Carbon Neutrality Future Technology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China;
3. Tianfu Yongxing Laboratory, Chengdu 610213, China;
4. National-Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Wastewater Treatment, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China

Received:2024-03-03 Revised:2024-09-11 Accepted:2024-09-12 Online:2024-11-28 Published:2024-09-27
Contact: Yulong Chang,E-mail:changyulong1218@163.com
Supported by:
This research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Youth Fund) (52300136).

摘要/Abstract

摘要： Natural gas is increasingly recognized as a clean energy source due to its high quality, low pollution levels, and abundant availability. However, certain gas fields contain complex components that require purification for efficient transportation and utilization. Addressing these issues involves efficient gas-liquid separation technology. Existing gas-liquid separation units face challenges such as efficiency, liquid entrainment, energy consumption, and the need for consumable replacement. This study focuses on a novel cyclone-coalescence separator that combines centrifugal and coalescence principles. Implemented in a high-acid natural gas purification plant in China, the cyclone-coalescence separator demonstrated efficiency primarily influenced by gas velocity and diameter. Optimal performance was observed with a 75 mm diameter reactor at velocities of 8-12 m·s^-1, achieving a peak efficiency of 96%. The hydrophilic glass fiber with a monofilament structure can coalesce droplets effectively. In practical industrial use, under operational conditions, the hydrocyclone's liquid discharge rate is 89.6 kg·h^-1 with an inlet concentration of 382.7 g·m³. Over a 400-h cycle, the cyclone-coalescence separator demonstrated superior separation performance with an average liquid discharge volume of 9.09 mg·kg^-1, compared to 4.93 mg·kg^-1 for the precision filter. This successful industrial implementation presents a promising approach to natural gas purification.

关键词: Gas-liquid separation, Cyclone coalescing separator, Natural gas purification, Industrial application

Abstract: Natural gas is increasingly recognized as a clean energy source due to its high quality, low pollution levels, and abundant availability. However, certain gas fields contain complex components that require purification for efficient transportation and utilization. Addressing these issues involves efficient gas-liquid separation technology. Existing gas-liquid separation units face challenges such as efficiency, liquid entrainment, energy consumption, and the need for consumable replacement. This study focuses on a novel cyclone-coalescence separator that combines centrifugal and coalescence principles. Implemented in a high-acid natural gas purification plant in China, the cyclone-coalescence separator demonstrated efficiency primarily influenced by gas velocity and diameter. Optimal performance was observed with a 75 mm diameter reactor at velocities of 8-12 m·s^-1, achieving a peak efficiency of 96%. The hydrophilic glass fiber with a monofilament structure can coalesce droplets effectively. In practical industrial use, under operational conditions, the hydrocyclone's liquid discharge rate is 89.6 kg·h^-1 with an inlet concentration of 382.7 g·m³. Over a 400-h cycle, the cyclone-coalescence separator demonstrated superior separation performance with an average liquid discharge volume of 9.09 mg·kg^-1, compared to 4.93 mg·kg^-1 for the precision filter. This successful industrial implementation presents a promising approach to natural gas purification.

Key words: Gas-liquid separation, Cyclone coalescing separator, Natural gas purification, Industrial application

Jianan Fan, Xianggang Zhang, Xia Jiang, Zhenghao Yang, Lingling Xie, Liwang Wang, Liang Ma, Hualin Wang, Yulong Chang. Cyclone-coalescence separation technology for enhanced droplet removal in natural gas purification process[J]. 中国化学工程学报, 2024, 75(11): 191-203.

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Cyclone-coalescence separation technology for enhanced droplet removal in natural gas purification process

Cyclone-coalescence separation technology for enhanced droplet removal in natural gas purification process

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