Use of Eductor for Liquid Disposal from Vessel

Abstract

A system for the processing of a hydrocarbon flare gas. An input gas stream contains a gas component and a liquid component. A knock-out drum separates the gas component from the liquid component. An eductor has a motive inlet, a suction inlet, and a discharge outlet. The separated liquid component is introduced into the suction inlet of the eductor. A high-pressure gas stream is introduced into the motive inlet of the eductor. The high-pressure gas stream has a pressure sufficient to draw the separated liquid component from the knock-out drum and through the discharge outlet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for the processing of a hydrocarbon flare gas, comprising:
 an input gas stream containing a gas component and a liquid component;   a knock-out drum that separates the gas component from the liquid component;   an eductor having a motive inlet, a suction inlet, and a discharge outlet;   wherein the separated liquid component is introduced into the suction inlet of the eductor; and   a high-pressure gas stream introduced into the motive inlet of the eductor, the high-pressure gas stream having a pressure sufficient to draw the separated liquid component from the knock-out drum and through the discharge outlet.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the knock-out drum has a boot or sump, and wherein the separated liquid component is drawn from the boot or sump to the suction inlet of the eductor. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the high-pressure gas stream is a defrost gas stream. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the high-pressure gas stream has a pressure of about 100 psig and the input gas stream has a pressure between 1-2 psig. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a dry flare that flares the gas component of the input gas stream after the liquid component has been separated therefrom in the knock-out drum. 
     
     
         6 . A cryogenic or cold gas processing system, comprising:
 an input gas stream containing a gas component and a liquid component;   a knock-out drum that separates the gas component from the liquid component, the knock-out drum having a fluid outlet through which the separated liquid component exits the knock-out drum;   a flare that flares the gas component of the input gas stream after the liquid component has been separated therefrom in the knock-out drum;   an eductor having a motive inlet, a suction inlet, and a discharge outlet;   wherein the separated liquid component is introduced from the fluid outlet to the suction inlet of the eductor; and   a high-pressure gas stream introduced into the motive inlet of the eductor, the high-pressure gas stream having a pressure sufficient to draw the separated liquid component from the knock-out drum and through the discharge outlet.   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the high-pressure gas stream is a defrost gas stream. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the high-pressure gas stream has a pressure of about 100 psig and the input gas stream has a pressure between 1-2 psig.