Process Equipment Contaminant Removal

Abstract

An apparatus, method and system remove contaminants from a vapor. In an embodiment, a contaminant removal apparatus includes a vacuum box. The vacuum box is a vessel. The apparatus also includes a demister pad disposed in the vacuum box. A vapor is introduced to the vacuum box on an opposing side of the demister pad from a vapor exit from the vacuum box.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A contaminant removal apparatus, comprising:
 a vacuum box, wherein the vacuum box comprises a vessel; and   a demister pad disposed in the vacuum box, wherein a vapor is introduced to the vacuum box on an opposing side of the demister pad from a vapor exit from the vacuum box.   
     
     
         2 . The contaminant removal apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum box comprises a pressure vessel. 
     
     
         3 . The contaminant removal apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the pressure vessel comprises steel. 
     
     
         4 . The contaminant removal apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum box further comprises an entry angle, and wherein the entry angle is from about 30 degrees to about 90 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . The contaminant removal apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum box further comprises an entry angle, and wherein the entry angle is from about 45 degrees to about 90 degrees. 
     
     
         6 . The contaminant removal apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum box further comprises a target water level and a bottom portion, and wherein the target water level is about at or below an elevation at which the vapor is introduced to the vacuum box. 
     
     
         7 . The contaminant removal apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the target water level is between about 50% and about 85% of a height of the bottom portion. 
     
     
         8 . The contaminant removal apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the target water level is between about 70% and about 80% of a height of the bottom portion. 
     
     
         9 . The contaminant removal apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the demister pad extends about horizontally across the vacuum box. 
     
     
         10 . The contaminant removal apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a water level measurement device. 
     
     
         11 . A method for removing contaminants from process equipment, comprising:
 (A) introducing steam to the process equipment to provide a contaminated vapor;   (B) introducing the contaminated vapor to a vacuum box, wherein the contaminated vapor comprises steam and hydrocarbons;   (C) removing water from the contaminated vapor, wherein the vacuum box comprises a water removal device, and wherein the water removal device removes water from the contaminated vapor to provide water and a reduced water vapor; and   (D) removing the water and the reduced water vapor from the vacuum box, wherein the reduced water vapor is removed from an opposing side of the vacuum box from a side of the vacuum box at which the contaminated water is introduced to the vacuum box.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the vacuum box comprises a pressure vessel. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the pressure vessel comprises steel. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the contaminated vapor is introduced to the vacuum box at an entry angle, and wherein the entry angle is from about 30 degrees to about 90 degrees. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the contaminated vapor is introduced to the vacuum box at an entry angle, and wherein the entry angle is from about 45 degrees to about 90 degrees. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the vacuum box further comprises a target water level and a bottom portion, and wherein the target water level is about at or below an elevation at which the contaminated vapor is introduced to the vacuum box. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the target water level is between about 50% and about 85% of a height of the bottom portion. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the target water level is between about 70% and about 80% of a height of the bottom portion. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the water is removed by a demister pad, and wherein the demister pad extends about horizontally across the vacuum box. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising measuring a water level in the vacuum box with a water level measurement device.