Contaminant removal with catalyst beds for lng processing

Abstract

Disclosed are systems and methods for processing liquefied natural gas (LNG). A LNG production system may include a contaminant removal process with one or more sets of sorbent beds co-loaded with a metal sulfide sorbent and/or metal oxide sorbent. In some examples, the contaminant removal process may include one or more molecular sieve dehydrators co-loaded with a 3A or 4A sieve and a 3A or 4A sieve impregnated with silver. The one or more sets of sorbent beds may be arranged at various locations throughout the LNG production system including upstream of or downstream of heavy component removal beds having activated carbon. In some instances, the LNG production system may include a regeneration process for moving heated fluid, typically feed gas, through a first heavy component removal bed while maintaining other heavy component removal beds online to reduce downtime for the LNG production system, increase production efficiency, and decrease an amount of greenhouse gases released from defrost and flare-offs.