Process and apparatus for online rejuvenation of contaminated sulfolane solvent

Abstract

A continuous online process for rejuvenating whole stream of contaminated lean sulfolane in an extraction system is provided. In particular, a rejuvenator is installed in the solvent circulation loop to remove the contaminants continuously to keep the solvent clean, effective and less corrosive. Specifically, the rejuvenator comprises a high pressure vessel with a removable cover and a round rack with vertical stainless steel tubes fitted in the high pressure vessel. A magnetic bar is placed in each stainless steel tube. A screen cylinder is installed inside the ring of stainless steel tubes. As the contaminated sulfolane is passed through the rejuvenator, the rejuvenator picks up its contaminants. The rejuvenator can be dissembled to remove the contaminants periodically. The rejuvenator is characterized by simple in construction, reliable in operation, and low in operation and maintenance costs. With this rejuvenator, the extraction system can be operated at high efficiency and high capacity without the dreaded corrosion.

1 . A apparatus for online rejuvenation of contaminated sulfolane solvent in an extraction system, comprising:
 a high pressure vessel with a removable cover;   a round rack with plural stainless tubes fitted with said high pressure vessels, wherein a magnetic bar is inserted into each of said stainless tubes; and   a screen cylinder fitted in said round racks at center of said high pressure vessel.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said stainless steel tubes and magnetic bars number from 2 to 30. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein said high pressure vessel is equipped with an inlet and an outlet. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the size of said screen cylinder is 1 to 200 meshes. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein the size of said screen cylinder is 10 to 100 meshes. 
   
   
       6 . A process for online rejuvenation of contaminated sulfolane solvent in an extraction system, comprising the steps of:
 preparing a rejuvenator which comprises a high pressure vessel with a removable cover, plural stainless tubes within magnetic bars equipped into said high pressure vessel;   placing said rejuvenator into a lean sulfolane circulation loop;   introducing the lean sulfolane solvent into said rejuvenator; and   recycling the effluent from said rejuvenator into an extractor which is equipped into said lean sulfolane circulation loop.   
   
   
       7 . The process according to  claim 6  wherein said lean sulfolane circulation loop further contains a air cooler or a heat exchanger which is placed before the rejuvenator. 
   
   
       8 . The process according to  claim 6  further including the step of cleaning said rejuvenator as pressure drop across said rejuvenator is 1 to 5 Kg/Cm 2  or higher. 
   
   
       9 . The process according to  claim 6  wherein two said rejuvenators are installed in parallel into said lean sulfolane circulation loop. 
   
   
       10 . The process according to  claim 9  further including the step of switching said rejuvenator for cleaning as pressure drop across said rejuvenator is 1 to 5 Kg/Cm 2  or higher. 
   
   
       11 . The process according to  claim 6  wherein the operation temperature of said rejuvenator is between 10 and 200° C. 
   
   
       12 . The process according to  claim 11  wherein the operation temperature of said rejuvenator is between 20 and 150° C. 
   
   
       13 . The process according to  claim 6  wherein the flow velocity through said rejuvenator ranges between 10 to 10,000 v/v/Hr. 
   
   
       14 . The process according to  claim 13  wherein the flow velocity through said rejuvenator ranges between 50 to 5,000 v/v/Hr.