Methods And Systems For The Removal Of Heavy Hydrocarbons (United States Patent Application 20150210934- GTC Technology US, Houston TX)

Methods And Systems For The Removal Of Heavy Hydrocarbons (United States Patent Application 20150210934- GTC Technology US, Houston TX)
July 30, 2015
Abstract
Apparatuses, systems and methods for separating heavy hydrocarbons from a solvent stream are disclosed. The heavy hydrocarbons and solvent can be recovered and processed further.
Description
[0001] This Application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/931,450 filed Jan. 24, 2014 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Aromatics containing streams often contain "heavy hydrocarbons due to green oils from hydro-processing units, carryover from upstream fractionators, various polymers, degradation products, and/or the like." These are currently not easily removed by the processes in the art field.
[0003] In view of the foregoing, apparatuses and methods to easily separate heavy hydrocarbons from a solvent processing stream at a refinery would be of considerable benefit. Such apparatuses and methods would allow more efficient operation of refinery process streams and also provide the heavy hydrocarbons in useful form for further processing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In various embodiments, apparatuses for removing accumulated heavy hydrocarbons from a solvent stream are disclosed. The apparatuses comprise: a first extractive unit, a second extractive unit, a water input line, a light hydrocarbon (HC) input line and a clean solvent output line.
[0005] In various embodiments, apparatuses for removing heavy hydrocarbons from a solvent stream are disclosed. The apparatuses comprise: a first extractive unit, a second extractive unit, a light hydrocarbon input line, a water input line, a heavy hydrocarbon output line and a clean solvent output line. The water input line is supplied by condensed stripping steam from an extractive distillation process.
[0006] In other various embodiments, methods for removing heavy hydrocarbons from a solvent stream are disclosed. The methods comprise: providing a first batch of a mixture comprising heavy hydrocarbons and at least one solvent; washing the first batch of the mixture with a raffinate wash; removing the at least one solvent and the raffinate wash from the first batch of the mixture; washing the raffinate from first batch with a water wash in a vertical multi-stage contactor; and isolating an output stream comprising heavy hydrocarbons and a second output of a clean solvent stream.
[0007] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be described hereinafter, which form the subject of the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions to be taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings describing specific embodiments of the disclosure, wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 shows an illustrative heavy hydrocarbon removal system with a water recycle step in accordance with an embodiment of the claimed invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 shows an illustrative heavy hydrocarbon removal system without a water recycle step in accordance with an embodiment of the claimed invention; and
[0011] FIG. 3 shows an illustrative coupling of a heavy hydrocarbon removal system to a solvent regeneration system.
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