Overview Molecular sieve dehydration (MSD) is used to remove water from natural gas.

The dehydration is
necessary to mitigate problems caused by hydrate formation and corrosion. MSD is common to many
processes that use natural gas as a feedstock, including pipelines, natural gas processing plants, LNG
regasification, and power plants. These dehydrating systems typically consist of multiple adsorption
columns filled with solid desiccant. The columns are cycled between adsorption, regeneration (where
the desiccant bed is heated to drive off water), and cooling.
Catalyst particles, temperature,
and frequent cycling require
specialized isolation switching
valve performance.
Isolation switching valves control
the flow of gas through the MSD
process, including input and
outflow to the system, and each
of the desiccant columns.
Zero-leakage is critical to the
process. Water that remains in
the gas reduces process
effectiveness, can lead to
corrosion and increased
dehydrator maintenance.
Valves in MSD applications face multiple challenges to zero leakage and service life. A key aspect of enhancing
system performance is addressing all of them.
Perhaps the most critical valve challenge comes from the catalyst. Molecular sieve beds generate catalyst
carryover. The granular material can abrade the seat and sealing surfaces on conventional valves.
Temperature is also an issue. The valve must withstand high regeneration temperatures that typically range
up to 800F [427C].
MSD Isolation switching valves must also endure frequent cycling during the regeneration process. The
constant use can accelerate wear and reduce valve life. Catalyst, temperature, and cycling demands like these
place high demands on valves that can result in premature failure and leakage.
Vanessa triple offset valves (TOV) ensure zero leakage and longer valve life in MSD applications. A
cam-actuated sealing design avoids the scuffing that occurs with conventional valves when catalyst
particles are ground into the seal face.
Instead, the TOV design applies torque to radially charge a seal ring fitted to the valve disc. The ring uniformly
distributes torque to the seat to create the seal. This sealing process avoids the wear inherent in dragging
catalyst particles across the sealing surface during frequent cycling.
A leak-proof closing is ensured even if particles are caught in the seal. These particles lodge between
the resilient metal seal ring and a body seat featuring a weld overlay of Stellite grade 21. This maintains a
zero-leak seal to API 598 and API 6 D standards, and enhances wear resistance to maintain the efficiency
of the drying system.
Temperature cycles during regeneration are easily handled by the TOV design. The valve disc is made of
the same metal as the valve body. As a result, there is no temperature limitation due to thermal expansion
and contraction up to the limit imposed by ASTM to WCB.
MSD applications create tremendous demands on valves. Failure compromises the process and causes costly
problems. Vanessa metal-to-metal, non-rubbing valves provide all the key characteristics to ensure performance
in difficult MSD applications.
ADSORBING
COLUMN
REGENERATING
COLUMN
COOLING
COLUMN
DRIEDGAS
WET GAS
HEATER
REGENERATION
GAS COOLER
WATER KNOCK OUT
OPEN VALVE
CV = CONTROL VALVE
ISV = ISOLATION SWITCHING VALVE
ISV ISV ISV
ISV ISV ISV
ISV
CV
Application: Molecular sieve dehydration of natural gas
Objective: Zero-leakage, longer life for isolation switching valves
Solution: Vanessa triple offset metal-to-metal, non-rubbing valves
VANMC-0646-US-1205
Copyright 2012 by Tyco Flow Control, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Critical dehydrator performance
Valve challenges
The Vanessa advantage
Vanessa Feature Benefit for molecular sieve dryer operators
The Vanessa Triple Offset Valve offers the following benefits:
Standard Stellite hardface seat Further enhances durability at higher temperatures and resists
abrasion.
The design rigidly fixes a super-hardened thrust washer to the
shaft while maintaining an intermediate sliding thrust washer,
further extending service life.
Compliant with API 609 and requirements from EPA and TA Luft,
fugitive emissions are minimized.
Bearing protectors keep catalytic solids from the bearing journal,
extending service life.
A duplex stainless steel seal ring is installed in the disc assembly
to provide true zero leakage (as per API 598 and or API 6D)
maintaining the efficiency of the drying system.
Imparts a camming effect resulting in no metal-to-metal rubbing
between the seat and the seal. This prevents abrasion from
catalyst carryover.
Quarter turn valves are easier to actuate and more reliable than
linear valves. Packing wear is greatly reduced.
High-cycle thrust bearing
Two-piece packing gland
assembly with externally
retained anti-blowout stem
Upper and lower graphite
bearing protectors
Resilient metal seal
Triple offset seat design
www.tycoflowcontrol.com
VANMC-0646-US-1205
Copyright 2012 by Tyco Flow Control, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Quarter turn operation