+ AAs typically partition i.e. disperse) to the liquid hydro- FIG. 20-57 ‘earbon phase, but low residuals ean remain in the pro ‘duced water, which ean impact toxicity test results. ‘Typical Glycol Injection System + Residual AA concentration in the hydrocarbon liquid phase could possibly impact downstream processes and should be considered in the context of overall eontribu- tion to a total feed-stream. GAS DEHYDRATION Bee eR ewe Glycol Dehydration Systems In those situations where inhibition is not feasible or prac- ae tical, dehydration must be used. Both liquid and solid desic- — ants may be used, but economies frequently favor liquid = desiccant dehydration when it will meet the required dehydra- > tion specification. Liquid desiccant dehydration equipment is simple to oper- ate and maintain, Tt ean easily be automated for unattended operation; for example, glycol dehydration at a remote production well. Liquid desiceants can be used for sour gases, but additional precautions in the design are needed due to the solubility of the acid gases in the desiccant solution. At very high acid gas content and relatively higher pressures the giy- cols ean also be “soluble” inthe gas. Giycols are typically used for applications where dew point depressions of the order of 60° to 120°F are required. Diethylene glycol (DEG), triethylene glyeol (TEG), and tetraethylene glycol (TREG) are used as liquid desiccants, but 'TEG is the most common for natural gas dehydration, Good practice dictates installing an inlet gas serabber, even ifthe dehydrator is near a production separator. The inlet gas FIG. 20-58 ezing Points of Aqueous Glycol Solutions scrubber will prevent accidental dumping of large quantities of water (esh or salty) hydrocarbons, treating chemals oF a : Corrosion inhibitors ntothe gyea contactor Even smal quan Coro Troy fie of thene materials earremlt in exceoive geo omnes wo [yes eenmegea ET tue to foaming, reduoed eficiony, and increased mainte vec -oemeres! = ET tance, Invogralseparaors atthe bottom of the contactor are ro fy es cormeoe, «= «st Following the process flow in Fig. 20-67, the regenerated ort glycan pumped tothe top tray of the contactar ‘absorber 7 Fhe ged absorbs mater as it owe down trough the contac toreountereurrentvo the gus Naw Waterrich gyal inremoved © from the bottom of the contactor, passes through the reflux condenser eal ashes of most afthe tluble gar the as | 30 tank, and flows through the rchlean heat exchanger to the | fofenerator In the regenerator absorbed water iedstileg | 270 From the giyolatmear stmoapherie pressure by apptcationot | hheat. The regenerated lean glycol exits the surge drum, is | — 1 party cole inthe Tearerich exchanger and “is Pumped ‘through the glycol cooler before being recirculated to the con- ° tacor Evaluation of a TEG system involves first establishing the ° minimum TEG concentration required to meet the outee gas | 30 HH rater dewpoint speciation Fig 20-68 shows the water dem rot Punt ofe natural ge stream inequirium withaTEG sola. | —30 Ht Tom t various temperatures and TEG neentrations. Fis Bo.éscanbeused estimate therequresTECeoeentation | -« PL CELEEET fora particular application or the theoretical dewpotnt depres ae SonforagivenTEGconcentrationandeontactortemperature. | 5 ‘etual outlet dewpointe depend onthe THG circulation rate o 0 wm ww ww fd amber of myilntu stages, but typical appro to Creat wee equilibrium are 10-20°F. Equilibrium dewpoints are relatively 2030insensitive to pressure and Fig. 20-68 may be used up to 1500 psia with litle error. Fig. 20-68 combines the results published by Parrish, et al* covering TRG purity up to 99.99 weight percent and those re- ported by Bucklin and Won in 1987" covering TEG purity up to 99.999 weight percent. Several equilibrium correla tions™*"999* have been presented since 1950. Previous ‘editions of the GPSA data book presented an equilibrium cor- relation based on the work of Worley™, In general, the corre- lations of Worley,!* Rosman® and Parrish® agree reasonably ‘well and are adequate for most TEG aystem designs. All are limited by the ability to measure accurately the equilibrium ‘concentration of water in the vapor phase above TEG solu- tions, The Parrish etal. and Won correlation has heen included in this edition because equilibrium water concentrations in ‘the vapor phage were determined at infinite dilution (essen- tially 100% TEG). The other correlations use extrapolations of data at lower concentrations to estimate equilibrium in the infinite dilution region Please note that the equilibrium water dewpoints on the ordinate of Fig. 20-68 are based on the assumption the con- densed water phase is a metastable liquid. At low dewpoints the true condensed phase will be a hydrate. The equilibrium dewpoint temperature above a hydrate is higher than that above a metastable liquid. Therefore, Fig. 20-68 predicts dew- points which are colder than those which can actually he Achieved, The difference isa function of temperature, pressure fand gas composition but ean be as much as 15-20°F (see Fig. 20-17), When dehydrating to very low dewpoints, such as those required upstream ofa refrigeration process, the TEG concen- tration must be sufficient to dry the gas to the hydrate dew- point. Once the lean TEG concentration has been established, the ‘TEG circulation rate and number of trays (height of packing) ‘must be determined. Most economical designs employ cireula- tion rates of about 2-5 gal. TEG/b 1,0 absorbed. The relation- ship between circulation rate and number of equilibrium tray, inlet gas distribution below the bottom tray, and rich gly- col surge volume at the hottom of the column, Bubble cap trays have historically been used in glycol eontactors due to the low liquid rates versus gas flow, but structured packing is widely used. Generally, structured packing allows a. significantly smaller contactor diameter and a slightly smaller contactor height. In 1991, ARCO published a report on its testing and application of structured packing to TEG dehydration. Contactor diameter is set by the gas velocity. Sizing is iden- tical to that outlined for separators in Section 7. Recom: ‘mended values for K-factors and C-factors are shown in Fig. 20-75. Structured packing vendors frequently quote an F, value for sizing glycol contactors, where F, is defined in Eq 20-9. Ry = vv pr Bq 20.9 Values of F, = 2.5 to 3.0 will generally provide a good esti- ‘mate of contactor diameter for structured packing. FIG. 20-59 Hydrate Temperature Depression vs. Methanol Concentration “Tenoere Depresien “F Coneritaton ot Matrano Wein) stages employs the absorption calculation techniques set out in Chapter 19. This has been done for TEG systema with the results prosented in Figs. 20.69 through 20-74, ‘The graphs in these figures apply only ifthe feed gas is water saturated, They are based on feed-gas and therefore contactor temperatures of 80°F, but are essentially independent of tem- FIG. 20-60 Hydrate Inhibition with Ethylene Glycol: Hammerschmidt vs. Experimental Data2® perature, Although the K values in the absorption factors (.c, LVK) do increase with temperature, the required TEG rates also increase, and this tends to compensate for the increasing. K-values and keep the absorption factors fairly constant, Conversion from equilibrium stages to actual trays can be made assuming an overall tray efficieney of 25-30%. For ran- dom and structured packing, Height of Packing Equivalent to 1 Theorvtical Plate (HETP) varies with TEG circulation rate, ‘gas rate, gas density, and packing characteristies but a value of about 60 inches is usually adequate for planning purposes. ‘When the gas density exceeds about 6 Ibi (generally at very high pressures), the above conversions may not provide suffi- cient packing height and number of trays. Also when the con- ‘actor temperature is less than about 60°F, the increased Viscosity of the TEG can reduce mass transfer efficiency, land temperatures in this range should be avoided, ‘Typical tray spacing in TEG contactors is 24 inches. There- fore, the total height of the contactor column will be based on the number of trays or packing required plus an additional 6-10 ft to allow space for vapor disengagement above the top 20-31Example 20-1120 MMscfld of «0.65 sp gr natural gas enters a TEG contactor at 600 psia and 100°F. Outlet water content specification is 7 lb HyO/MMsef and the TEG circulation rate is 3 gal TEG/b H,0. Estimate the contactor diameter and number of bubble cap trays or height of structured packing required to meet this requirement, Assume 2 = 0.92. Solutions Steps: 1. Estimate required TEG concentration from Fig. 20-68 11,0 Dewpoint. = 24°F, which from Fig. 20-4 is equiva- lent to a water content of 7 Ib HO/MMscf @ 600 psia) Assume a 10°F approach to equilibrium @ T= 100°F, lean TEG concentration = 98.8 wt% 2, Estimate number of theoretical stages, Caleulate water removal efficiency FIG. 20-61 Hydrate Inhibition with Methanol: Hammerschmidt vs. Experimental Data® FIG. 20-62 Hydrate Inhibition with Methanol: Nielsen & Bucklin vs. Experimental Data”™ i = 0.922 From Fig, 20-70 (N = 1.5) at 9 gallon TEG/b H,0 and 99.0 wi TEG (Wig — Wea Win = 0.885 From Fig, 20-71 (N = 2.0) at 8 gallon TEG/b H,0 and 99.0 wis TEG (Wa Wea Win = 0.925 use N= 2.0 2 theoretical stages spacing Dubble cap trays @ 24 inch tray FIG. 20-63 Hydrate Inhibition with Methanol: Nielsen & Bucklin®® vs. Experimental Data”* Fic. 20-64 Hydrate Inhibition with Methanol: Maddox et al”” vs. Experimental Data®® 20322 theoretical stages = 10 ft of structured packing 8, Size the contactor Bubble caps, 24 inch tray spacing: From Section 7 G = Clove, - pF = 516 [2.069.9-2.0) = 67121b/ R* he sa = (8200000 meneame Ibe 22) [ [sre set (0.65)28.97) 1b) 14 se Bees 'f | 62.000 tb hr tm _ 62000 ‘gy q2 A= Geng 928 _(4ay? _ (@e2 o (af (9m For Structured packing: 576. 1200 TEG will typically absorb about 1 scf of sweet natural gas per gallon of glycol at 1000 psia and 100°F. Solubilities will be considerably higher if the gas containa significant amounts of CO, and HS. ‘The solubilities of pure HS and CO; in pure TEG are given in Fig. 20-76. These charts apply to pure TEG or to the lean 'TEG, which is essentially pure. For the rich-TEG solution leav- ing the bottom of a contactor, it is approximately correct to apply them to the TEG portion. Heavier paraffin hydrocarbons are essentially insoluble in TEG. Aromatic hydrocarbons, however, are very soluble in G4) = 248 FIG. 20-65 Ratio of Methanol Vapor Composition to Methanol Liquid Composition ‘TEG, and significant amounts of aromatic hydrocarbons may bbe absorbed in the TEG at contactor conditions. This may pre- sent an environmental or safety hazard when they are dis- charged from the top of the regenerator, ‘Vapor-liquid equilibrium constants (K-values) for benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and o-xylene in TRG solutions are pre- sented in RR-131." This data indicates that at typical contac- tor conditions approximately 10-30% of the aromaties in the gas stream may be absorbed in the TEG solution. Based on the data in RR-131 at 1000 psia, 100°F and a TEG circulation rate of 3 gal TEGMb HO absorbed, the approximate percentage absorption of aromaties from the gas into the rich TEG are caleulated as Benzene 10% Toluene 14% Ethylbenzene 19% O-xylene 28% Aromatic absorption inereases with inereasing pressure and decreasing temperature, Aromatic absorption is directly re- lated to TEG circulation rate. Higher circulation rates result in increased absorption. Aromatic absorption is essentially in- dependent of the number of contacts in the absorber so one ‘method of minimizing aromatic absorption isto use taller eon- tactors and minimize TEG circulation rates. Most of the aromatic components will be stripped from the ‘TEG solution in the regenerator. Flash tank sizing should be sufficient to degas the glycol solution and skim entrained liquid hydrocarbons, if necessary. A minimum retention time of 3-5 minutes is required for de- gassing, Ifiquid hydrocarbons are to be removed as well, re- tention times of 20-0 minutes may be required for adequate separation. Flash tank presaures are typically less than 75 pia. Regenerator sizing requires establishing the reboiler duty and, when high TEG concentrations are required, providing sullicient stripping gas. Fic, 20-66 Solubility of Methanol in Paratfinic Hydrocarbons’ vs. Temperature at Various Methanol Concentrations i i 2093xa FIG. 20-67 smple Process Flow Diagram for Glycol Dehydration Unit Aaquiceestimate ofreboiler duty can be made using Bq 20-10 Q = (1500) Bq 20-10 420-10 is approximate and usually gives values which are : i seh] higher than the actual duty. A more rigorous determination of reboiler duty is shown in Example 20-12. Example 20-12 — Determine reboiler duty for conditions in the previous example. Assume the rich TRG temperature en- tering the regenerator is 300°F and the reboiler temperature is 40°F, Glycol Reboiler Duty: Basis 1 gal. TG Sensible Heat: Q = me,at (@31b) © gal 18 Btu gal. Vaporization of Absorbed H,0: Q = (AH) (AW) (970 Btu)(_11b 1.0) * (ibH.o] |S gal Tae 0.665 Btw be F } rium H20 Dewp FIG. 20-68 vs. Temperature at Various. TEG Concentrations 328 Btu /gal Condenser Duty @ 25% Reflux Rati: @ = (0.25) (Q,) = 81 Btu lea. I -| \- = 3, 7 Contactor TempratreF ‘Total Duty Including 10% Heat Loss: @ = (6184 923-4 81) (Lt) = 1124 Btu ig. ‘Total Duty Based on 30 MMscfd of Gas: = (1124 Beu/gal) (3 gal /Ib) (30 MMscfa'24) (90-7) Ib/MMsef) = 350,000 Btw/ar Boilingof TEG at 400°F and 1 atmosphere will provide about 98.6 wi% glycol. Regeneration at higher altitude will result in higher concentrations at 400°F or a reduced regeneration tem- perature at the same concentration. ENHANCED GLYCOL CONCENTRATION PROCESSES ‘There are several principles and processes for obtaining, higher TEG purity than 98.6 wt%, which is the TEG purity obiained by reboiling at 400°F and atmospheric pressure. All ‘methods are based on the principle of reducing the effective partial pressure of H,0 in the vapor spaceofthe glycol reboiler, and hence obtaining a higher glycol concentration at the same temperature. ‘The most common method for enhancement of the glycol concentration has been by use of stripping gas or by means of ‘vacuum in the reboiler, Other patented or proprietary processes in use to enhance the glycol purity and thereby achieve a more stringent water dew point depression are as described below based on infor- ‘mation from the licensors, ‘The processes are illustrated on Fig. 20: 2036