System and method for solvent regeneration

Abstract

A system ( 5 ) for regeneration of acidic gas solvent comprises a regeneration cell having a solvent chamber ( 100 ) arranged to receive a solvent flow and an internal chamber ( 92 ) arranged to receive a steam flow ( 110 ). The regeneration cell also includes a gas permeable membrane ( 95 ) separating the solvent chamber ( 100 ) and internal chamber ( 92 ). The regeneration cell is arranged to vent acidic gas stripped from the solvent by the steam. A method for regenerating acidic gas solvent is also provided.

1 . A system for regeneration of acidic gas solvent, the system comprising;
 a regeneration cell having a solvent chamber arranged to receive a solvent flow, and an internal chamber arranged to receive a steam flow;   the regeneration cell including a gas permeable membrane separating the solvent chamber and internal chamber;   wherein the regeneration cell is arranged to vent acidic gas stripped from the solvent by the steam.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1 , further including a re-boiler in communication with an outlet from the solvent chamber, the re-boiler arranged to heat the stripped solvent so as to remove water, and direct the consequential steam flow to the internal chamber. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 1 , further including a bulk removal regeneration cell, the bulk removal regeneration cell having a bulk removal solvent chamber arranged to receive a solvent flow, and a bulk removal internal chamber;
 the bulk removal regeneration cell including a gas permeable membrane separating the bulk removal solvent chamber and bulk removal internal chamber;   wherein the bulk removal regeneration cell is arranged to vent acidic gas diffused from the solvent, and direct the solvent to the solvent chamber of the regeneration cell.   
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the solvent chamber is concentrically arranged around the internal chamber. 
     
     
         5 . A method for regenerating acidic gas solvent, the method comprising the steps of:
 receiving a solvent flow in a solvent chamber;   receiving a steam flow in an internal chamber;   separating the internal chamber from the solvent chamber with a gas permeable membrane;   stripping the acidic gas from the solvent;   diffusing the acidic gas into the internal chamber; and   venting the acidic gas from the internal chamber.   
     
     
         6 . The method according to  claim 5 , further including the steps of:
 re-boiling the stripped solvent so as to remove water; and   directing the consequential steam flow to the internal chamber.   
     
     
         7 . The method according to  claim 5 , further including the steps, prior to the solvent receiving step of:
 receiving the solvent flow in a bulk removal solvent chamber;   separating the bulk removal solvent chamber from a bulk removal internal chamber with a gas permeable membrane;   removing the acidic gas from the solvent;   diffusing the acidic gas through the gas permeable membrane;   venting the acidic gas from the bulk removal internal chamber; and   directing the solvent to the solvent chamber of the regeneration cell.