METHOD OF DRYING NATURAL GAS AT AUTOMOBILE GAS-FILLING COMPRESSOR STATIONS Russian patent published in 2001 - IPC

FIELD: gas industry; automobile gas-filling compressor stations. SUBSTANCE: proposed method includes interaction of wet natural gas with sulfuric acid. Innovation of invention consists in simultaneous drying of gas and regeneration of sulfuric acid whose composition is constantly maintained by means of electrolysis. Automobile compressor gas-filling station includes units for primary purification of natural gas, dehumidification, compression, accumulation and filling of bottles. Dehumidification unit is made in form of gas- lift bubbling reactor filled with sulfuric acid; shell of this reactor is provided with natural gas supply and discharge branch pipes extended circulating pipe which is fitted with expander having electrodes mounted inside it and connected with power supply source; natural gas supply pipe union is connected with primary purification unit and discharge pipe union is connected with compression unit. Reactor shell is provided with expander mounted on side of natural gas discharge pipe union; expander is provided with spray trap arranged inside it. Line connecting the dehumidification and compression units is fitted with additional spray trap. EFFECT: simplified procedure; enhanced reliability and stability of gas composition after drying. 4 cl, 2 dwg, 1 tbl, 1 ex