Process for optimizing removal of condensable components from a fluid

Abstract

A method for removing condensable components from a fluid containing condensable components. The method involves optimizing the temperature of an initial feed stream including the condensable components through heat exchange and cooling to condense liquids there from. The liquids are removed to form a gas stream which is then compressed and after-cooled to form a high pressure stream. A portion of the high pressure stream is expanded to form a cooled low pressure stream which is mixed with the initial feed stream to augment cooling and condensation of condensable components in the initial feed stream.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method for removing condensable components from a fluid containing said condensable components, comprising:
 Optimizing the temperature of an initial feed stream including said condensable components through heat exchange and cooling to condense liquids there from and removing said liquids to form a gas stream;   The gas stream is then compressed and after-cooled to form a high pressure stream;   A portion of the high pressure stream is expanded to form a cooled low pressure stream which is mixed with said initial feed stream to augment cooling and condensation of condensable components in the initial feed stream.   
     
     
         2 . The method as set forth in  claim 1 , including the step of determining the hydrocarbon and water content of said initial feed stream. 
     
     
         3 . The method as set forth in  claim 1  or  2 , wherein said heat exchange includes sequential, heat exchange in a plurality of heat exchangers for optimizing energy retention in said stream and reducing the quantity of recycle. 
     
     
         4 . The method as set forth in any one of  claims 1  through  3 , wherein said heat exchanger includes a plurality of parallel heat exchangers for optimizing energy retention in said stream and reducing the quantity of recycle. 
     
     
         5 . The method as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein said step of optimizing said energy includes operating the method at a temperature range outside that where hydrates form. 
     
     
         6 . The method as set forth in any one of  claims 1  through  5 , wherein said heat exchange is conducted through a gas-liquid heat exchange operation. 
     
     
         7 . The method as set forth in any one of  claims 1  through  6 , wherein said heat exchange is conducted through a gas-liquid heat exchange operation in sequence with a gas-gas heat exchange operation. 
     
     
         8 . The method as set forth in any one of  claims 1  through  7 , wherein said heat exchange is conducted through a gas-liquid heat exchange operation in parallel with a gas-gas heat exchange operation. 
     
     
         9 . The method as set forth in any one of  claims 1  through  8 , wherein said heat exchange is conducted through a gas-liquid heat exchange operation. 
     
     
         10 . The method as set forth in any one of  claims 1  through  9 , further including the step of treating said feed stream to a water content reduction unit operation. 
     
     
         11 . The method as set forth in  claim 6 , further including recovering hydrocarbons from the stream produced from said method. 
     
     
         12 . The method as set forth in any one of  claims 1  through  11 , further including recovering acid gas components from the stream produced from said method. 
     
     
         13 . The method as set forth in  claim 10 , further including recycling said acid gas components. 
     
     
         14 . The method as set forth in any one of  claims 1  through  13 , wherein the fluid has a positive Joule-Thomson coefficient. 
     
     
         15 . The method as set forth in any one of  claims 1  through  14 , wherein said condensable components include C 5 H 12  and heavier hydrocarbons. 
     
     
         16 . The method as set forth in any one of  claims 1  through  15 , further including an optional step of adding hydrate inhibitor to said fluid. 
     
     
         17 . The method as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein said hydrate inhibitor is methanol.