T A B L F : 9.

1
HYDKATK CONTKOI,

Mthod

Variation

Methanol
Chcmicnl
lAition

Glycol

T-.irr-.al
---..rition

ibeat)

Steam o r
electric
tracing of
pipes

Liquid
(Glycol)

P o s i t i v e f^eatures

MKTIIODS

Negative Features

Major Applications

Inexpensive equipment

H i g h m e t h a n o l losses

E a s y t o handie

Introduction of a
potential contaminant

Seasonal control in
gathering systems
Temporary control in
cryogenic plants

Inexpensive equipment

Difficult t o handle in
very low temperature
conditions

Gathering systems where

regeneration equipment
is u n a v a i l a h i e o r u n d e s i r a b l e

M a y r e d u c e efficiency
of downstream heat
exchangers

L o w - t e m p e r a t u r e plants
f o r locaiized c o n t r o l

Ease of control

Expensive for long runs

In-plant control between

process units, o r o t h e r
short lines

Relatively inexpensive
equipment
E a s y t o oprate a n d
maintain
Energy consumption
fairly low, and in
proportion t o the water
load

Limited dew-point
depression
Subject to f o a m i n g i n
s o m e gas s y s t e m s

Gathering systems, wellheads

F e e d t o t r a n s m i s s i o n lines

E q u i p m e n t reliable for
unattended operation

E q u i p m e n t cost is
higher than other kinds
of dehydrators

H i g h recovery and reuse

rate

Feed t o moderately lowt e m p e r a t u r e processes

Dehydra-

D r y bed

V e r y low dew points are

possible
C a n be d e s i g n e d t o d r y
and sweeten simultaneously, o r to control
hydrocarbon dew point

Feed t o cryogenic
plants
Liquid hydrocarbon drying

E n e r g y requirements are
relatively high and not
completely in proportion
to the w a t e r load

Combination systems
Hydrocarbon dew-point
control