AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 13 December 2004 (13 12 2004) original claims 1-55, replaced by amended claims 1-55
1. A method of dehydrating natural gas, the method comprising the steps of- providing an absorber linked to a still column, said absorber receiving thθ natural gas; introducing a wet glycol flowing from said absorber to said still column; providing a reboiler linked to said absorber; introducing a dry glycol to flow from said reboiler to said absorber to dehydrate the natural gas; separating gaseous hydrocarbons from liquid hydrocarbons; linking at least one emissions separator to said absorber to receive wet glycol and to transfer gaseous hydrocarbons to said reboiler's firing system; and recirculating all gaseous hydrocarbons to the reboiler and not releasing the gaseous hydrocarbons to the atmosphere.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of collecting all liquid hydrocarbons.
3. A method for use with an absorber to dehydrate a natural gas stream comprising the steps of transferring a first stream of wet glycol from the absorber to enter an emissions separator; transferring the first stream of wet glycol from the emissions separator to a heat exchanger; transferring the first stream of wet glycol from the heat exchanger to a still column; transferring a residual portion of the wet glycol from the still column to a wet glycol cooler; and transferring the residual portion of the wet glycol from the reboiler to join the wet glycol leaving the absorber to enter the emissions separator.
4. The method of claim 3 further comprising thθ step of linking at least one pump to the emissions separator to pump the wet glycol leaving the emissions separator.
5. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of providing at least one pump to act upon the dry glycol and submerging the at least one pump in the glycol acted upon by thθ at least one pump.
6. The method of claim 3 further comprising transferring a hydrocarbon stream from the emissions separator to the reboiler,
7. The method of claim 3 further comprising the steps of: separating thθ first stream of wet glycol leaving the emissions separator to form a second stream of wet glycol; transferring the second stream of wet glycol from the emissions separator to an eductor; transferring the second stream of wet glycol from the eductor to the emissions separator; separating the first stream of wet glycol after forming the second stream of wet glycol to form a third stream of wet glycol; ' transferring the third stream of wet glycol to an overhead condenser; and transferring the third stream of wet glycol from the overhead condenser to the still column.
8. The method of claim 3 wherein the glycol cooler comprises pivotally mounted shutters to control the emission separator's temperature by opening and closing the shutters in response to temperature change,
9. The method of claim 7 further comprising providing a filter and providing a choke through which the third stream of wet glycol passes before going to the overhead condenser.
10. The method of claim 3 further comprising the steps of, transferring dry glycol from the reboiler to, a water exhauster, the water exhauster comprising a weir system; transferring the dry glycol from the water exhauster to the hθat exchanger; transferring dry glycol from the heat exchanger to a super dry glycol storage; and transferring the dry glycol from the super dry glycol storage the absorber.
11. The method of claim 3 further comprising the steps of: I providing a stripping column to strip water and hydrocarbons from the wet glycol; transferring partially dry glycol from the stripping column to the reboiler; transferring dry glycol from the reboiler to a water exhauster comprising a weir system; transferring super dry glycol from the water exhauster to the heat exchanger, transferring the super dry glycol from the heat exchanger to a super dry glycol storage; and ■ transferring the super dry glycol from the super dry glycol storage to the absorber.
12. The method of 11 further comprising the steps of: transferring a stream of hydrocarbons f rorin a vacuum separator to a reservoir vessel; and transferring the stream of hydrocarbons from the reservoir vessel to a stripping column.
13. The method of claim 12 further comprising providing a release for thθ stream of hydrocarbons leaving the vacuum separator priori to entering the reservoir vessel to transfer the stream of hydrocarbons to a hydrocarbon storage or other'facility.
14 The method of claim 12 wherein. the hydrocarbons sent from the reservoir vessel pass through a heat exchange coil; the hydrocarbons passing from the heat exchange coil pass througrTa pressure regulator prior to entering the stripping column within the reboiler; and the volumes of hydrocarbons leaving the vacuum separator, entering the reservoir vessel, leaving the reservoir vessel, and going to hydrocarbon storage are controlled by a pressure switch
15. The method of claim 7 further comprising the steps of: providing a vacuum separator; transferring a gaseous hydrocarbon stream from the vacuum separator to the eductor, transferring effluent from the reboiler to the effluent condenser; and transferring the effluent from the effluent condenser to the vacuum separator.
16. The method of claim 15 further providing an outlet to release water from the vacuum separator and an outlet to release hydrocarbons from the vacuum separator.
17. The method of claim 15 further comprising the steps of: i providing a water exhauster to receive wet glycol from thθ emissions separator and dry glycol from the reboiler; and providing a blowcase to receive condensates from the water exhauster.
18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of: transferring the wet glycol leaving the wet glycol cooler to the water exhauster; and transferring the wet glycol from the water exhauster to join the wet glycol leaving the absorber to enter the emissions separator.
19. The method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of: transferring a condensate from the water exhauster to the blowcase, transferring water from the blowcase to combine with wet glycol coming from the emissions separator; and transferring hydrocarbons from the blowcase to the vacuum separator to stabilize liquids.
20. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of transferring hydrocarbons from the vacuum separator to a hydrocarbon storage.
21. The method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of. transferring dry glycol from the reboiler to the water exhauster; transferring the dry glycol from the water exhauster to the heat exchanger; transferring the dry glycol from the heat exchanger to the dry glycol storage; and transferring the dry glycol from the dry glycol storage to the absorber.
22. The method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of: transferring hydrocarbons from the water exhauster to join with a stream of hydrocarbons from the dry storage tank to enter the blowcase; linking the water exhauster, the blowcase, and the reboiler with equalizing hydrocarbon conduits; and transferring a second stream of hydrocarbons from the blowcase to a hydrocarbon storage.
23. The method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of: transferring hydrocarbons from the water exhauster to join with a stream of hydrocarbons from the dry storage tank to enter the blowc'ase; linking the water exhauster, the blowcase. and the reboiler with equalizing hydrocarbon conduits; and transferring a second stream of hydrocarbons from the blowcase to thθ vacuum separator
24 The method of claim 23 wherein a closed; loop glycol system is provided within which to operate the dry glycol storage tank under vacuum and prevent the introduction of air into the closed loop glycol system.
25. The method of claim 24 wherein providing the closed loop glycol system comprises the steps of connecting the dry glycol storage to the still column through a first set of at least one vent pipe; connecting the dry glycol storage to the glycol reservoir with a second set of at least one vent pipe; and connecting the dry glycol storage tank to the glycol reservoir through at least one fill pipe.
26. The method of claim 17 wherein the pressures in the blowcase, the water exhauster, and the reboiler are equal except when liquids are removed from he blowcase.
27. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of transferring water from the vacuum separator to join with wet glycol leaviπg'the heat exchanger to enter the still column
28. The method of claim 27 further comprising the step of providing a pump and ! controlling the speed of the pump to control the volume otwater leaving the vacuum separator to join with the wet glycol.
29. A method for use with an absorber to dehydrate a natural gas stream comprising the steps of' connecting a phase flash separator to an absorber; transferring wet glycol from the absorber to enter the flash separator; providing a valve to release hydrocarbons from the flash separator; transferring the wet glycol from the flash separator to a reflux coil; transferring wet glycol from the reflux coil to a heat exchanger; and transferring wet glycol from the reflux coil to a heat exchanger.
30. The method of claim 29 further comprising the step of transferring gaseous hydrocarbons from the phase flash separator to a hydrocarbon recovery system.
31. The method of claim 30 wherein the recovery system comprises a reboiler firing system.
32. The method of claim 30 further comprising the step of linking an emissions separator to the phase flash separator and transferring hydrocarbons from the emissions separator to combine with hydrocarbons transferring out of the phase flash separator.
33. The method of claim 29 further comprising the step of transferring liquid hydrocarbons from the phase flash separator to a vacuum separator.
34. The method of claim 29 further comprising the steps of: Unking a vacuum separator to an eductor; linking the eductor to the emissions separator; transferring hydrocarbons from the vacuum separator to the eductor; and transferring hydrocarbons from the eductor to the emissions separator
35 The method of claim 34 further comprising the steps of: transferring a first stream of wet glycol from the emissions separator to an effluent condenser; transferring the wet glycol from the effluent condenser to a glycol cooler; transferring the wet glycol from the glyeoP cooler to a water exhauster, and transferring the wet glycol from the water 'exhauster to the emissions separator I
36. The method of claim 35 further compnsing the step of connecting a dry glycol storage to the emissions separator to provide a glycol charge
37 The method of claim 35 further comprising the step of separating the wet glycol leaving the emissions separator to form a second stream of wet glycol entering the eductor.
38. The method of claim 32 further comprising the step of transferring the gaseous hydrocarbons from the emissions separator and from the phase flash separator to a reboiler firing system.
39. The method of claim 32 further comprising the step of transferring the hydrocarbons from the emissions separator and from the phase flash separator to a hydrocarbon recovery system, hydrocarbon storage, or other component that can utilize br dispose of hydrocarbons.
40. An apparatus for use with a natural gs«* H»hydrator system, said apparatus compπsing-
natural gas, a glycol-to-glycol heat exchanger linked to, and between, said reboiler and said absorber; at least one separator linked toi said still column to receive an effluent and remove liquid hydrocarbons and water from said effluentjfor collection and remove gaseous hydrocarbons from said effluent;
reboiler; and an effluent condenser linked bθψveen and to said still column and said separator, wherein all gaseous hydrocarbons are p| culated via said circulating apparatus to said reboiler and are not released to the atmosphere.
41. The apparatus of claim 40 further composing a water exhauster comprising a weir system, said water exhauster linked to said reboiler
42 The apparatus of claim 41 further composing a blowcase linked to said water exhauster.
43. The apparatus of claim 42 further compijslng a glycol storage linked to the absorber and a glycol reservoir linked to said glycol storage, wher sin said glycol reservoir, said dry glycol storage, said reboiler, said blowcase, and said water exi auster are connected with a plurality of equalizing conduits.
44. Thθ apparatus of claim 40 further comprising: a stripping column disposed within said reboiler; a reservoir vessel; a phase flash separator, and a glycol cooler linked to said still column and to said at least one emissions separator
45. A water exhauster apparatus for use with a natural gas comprising. a condenser tube to circulate wet glycol in and out of said water exhauster; an inlet to receive dry glycol from a reboiler; a section to hold dry glycol; a weir system to separate hydrocarbons from said dry glycol and to provide for the removal of said dry glycol and said hydrocarbons from said water exhauster; an outlet to transfer hydrocarbons out of said weir system; an outlet to transfer dry glycol out of said weir system, a conduit to receive dry glycol from said coil to release into said reboiler; and an outlet to release condensed liquids from said water exhauster.
46. The apparatus of claim 45 further comprising a coil to circulate dry glycol from said reboiler past said glycol in said glycol holding section of said water exhauster.
47 A blowcase apparatus for use with a natural gas dehydrator comprising- an inlet to receive condensed liquids from a water exhauster, a weir chamber to separate condensates; a water chamber to receive water from said weir chamber; a hydrocarbon chamber to receive hydrocarbons from said weir chamber; and a liquid level controller actuated by a level of said water in said water chamber to send a signal to stop said water from leaving said weir chamber and to allow gas to enter said water chamber to evacuate said water from said water chamber.
48. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein said evacuated water is mixed with a stream of wet glycol.
49. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein said gas in said water chamber flows into said weir chamber until pressures in said water chamber and in said weir chamber equalize so that said water flows from said weir chamber to said water chamber, and said gas from said weir system is released into a gas recovery system.
50. The apparatus of claim 49 wherein said gas recovery system comprises a reboiler firing system.
51. The apparatus of claim 50 wherein said hydrocarbons flow into said weir chamber until pressures in said hydrocarbon chamber and in said wieir chamber equalize so that hydrocarbons flow from said weir chamber to said hydrocarbon chamber, and said hydrocarbons are released from said hydrocarbon chamber.
52. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein said hydrocarbons released from said hydrocarbon chamber are sent to a vacuum separator:
53. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein said hydrocarbons released from said hydrocarbon chamber are sent to storage facilities.
54. The apparatus of claim 51 wherein gas hydrocarbons are transferred to a gas recovery system.
55. The apparatus of claim 54 wherein said gas recovery system comprises a reboiler firing system.