¿Qué es deshidratación?

Quitar el Agua
de un gas
¿Por qué deshidratar ?
 Prevenir congelamiento

 Improve Transmission Efficiency

 Minimizar corrosión

 Feed Preparation:
Preparation Mole Sieve, etc.
Ways To Determine
Water Content:

1. Physical Measurement

2. Gas Dew Point

3. Dew Point Depression

 Dew Point
The temperature at which
water condenses in gas.
Example:

Water formed on a cold drink container.

 Gas Hydrates
WATER
+
HYDROCARBONS
 Natural Gas molecules smaller than n-Butane can react with liquid or free water to
form crystalline, snow-like solid solutions called HYDRATES.
 HYDRATES have a specific gravity from 0.96 to 0.98 and therefore float on water
and sink in liquid hydrocarbons.
 What About “GAS HYDRATES”

•Form above freezing point

•Flammable
•Initially formed from water in liquid state

•Grow in the presence of water vapor

 Process Variables
 Temperature
 Pressure

 Glycol Concentration

 Glycol Circulation Rates

 Water Chart

TEG
 Absorber
 Monitor Pressure Drop
 Proper Startup and Shutdown
 Change Gas Rates Slowly
 Keep Inlet GLYCOL 10 Hotter

 Keep Trays and Demister Clean

 Liquid Distributors, (For Packed Towers)
Gas Outlet
Absorber Internals
Mist Pad Typical Bubble Cap

Lean TEG Foam Height

Trays

TEG
Level

Throttle
Valve Gas Flow

Rich TEG
Gas Inlet
Bubble cap trays have a 5 to 1
turn down ratio as a rule.
Drain
Reflux Drawing
STILL Column with Reflux
 STILL With Reflux

Roberts
 Still Column
•Separates Water From Glycol
•Clean Tower Packing

•Carefully Load Tower Packing

•Reflux Coil
•Monitor Overhead Temperature: 212 to 220
•Protect Against Temperature Extremes

½
 REBOILER
•Verify Temperature Often
•Monitor Pressure •This is a NON Pressure Vessel
•Pressure Release Safety PRV piped away from personnel
•Monitor Fuel Pressure
•Keep Deposits OFF Fire Tube
•Personnel Protector
•Keep Sight Gauge CLEAN
•DO NOT Override the Temperature Controller
•Flame Arrester
 Fire Tube Temperature Profile
Stack Gas
404° F 407° F 410° F

900° F 1100° F 1400° F

2600° F 2000° F 1700° F

470° F 430° F 420° F 415° F

Typical Direct Fired U-Tube Temperature Profile @ 400° F Bulk TEG Temperature
Reboiler Sight
Glass
 Boiling Points Of Aqueous TEG
Solutions
°F (760) MM Hg Pressure

550

425

375

350

325
TEG Conc.
300

275

90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100
TEG Weight Percent
REBOILER Heat Sources
Popular Heat Sources:

A. Gas*
B. Steam
C. Hot Oil
* Gas Fired The Most Popular
Rule Of Thumb On Reboiler Duty:
TEG Circulation Rate

Water Chart

b
Accumulator

Lean/Rich
 ACCUMULATOR
•Lean Glycol Stored
•Should Be Vented
•Should Be Blanketed
•Keep Gauge Glass CLEAN
•Keep Optimum Level of Glycol
•Personnel Protector
•Makeup
•Rich Glycol Preheated?
 TYPES OF GLYCOL
Theoretical Thermal
Decomposition Temperature

Ethylene (EG) 329°F

Diethylene (DEG) 328°F

Triethylene (TEG) 404°F

Tetraethylene (TETRA) 454°F

TEG - PLUS 404°F

 Effect of LEAN Glycol
Concentration
At 95°F Contact Temperature

Glycol
Concentration Dew Point

99% -2°F
95% 43°F
 Leaner Glycol- Better Dehydration
 GLYCOL
DEHYDRATION

 Based on Glycol’s Ability to Absorb

Water

 The Higher The Glycol Concentration,

The More Water Can Be Absorbed

 PUMPS
Two Types Used The Most:

 Glycol Powered

 Electric Reciprocating
 Circulation Rate
“RULE OF THUMB”

Recommended Glycol Circulation Rate:

3 Gallons Per Pound Of Water To Be Removed

GLYCOL POWERED PUMPS

TWO MOST POPULAR:

KIMRAY

GLYROTOR
 ELECTRIC PUMPS
•Control Glycol Flow With Bypass
•Valve To Surge or Suction
•Use Non Lubricated Packing
 HEAT EXCHANGERS

 Monitor Temperature Differential

 Keep Tubes Clean
 Watch For Leaks*
* Check LEAN Samples In and Out
For SAME Glycol Percent
TYPES OF EXCHANGERS
Four Types:

 SHELL AND TUBE

 PLATE

 FINNED TUBE
 COIL IN SURGE TANK
OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT

 FLASH TANK
 HYDROCARBON SEPARATOR
 CARBON PURIFIER
 GAS STRIPPING
  BTEX CONDENSER
 SEPARATORS
Two Types:

 Two Phase: (Glycol - Gas)

 Three Phase: (Glycol - Gas - Hydrocarbon)

 THREE PHASE GLYCOL
SEPARATOR
Separates:
Flash Gas
 Glycol
Free Hydrocarbons
 Limit Preheating To 160°F Maximum*
 Soluble Hydrocarbons NOT Removed Use a Carbon Filter
* Above Maximum Temperature Increases Solubility
 “DIRTY” GLYCOL

CAN CAUSE:

 GREATER FOAMING TENDENCIES

 EQUIPMENT FOULING

 HIGH GYCOL LOSSES

 MECHANICAL FILTERS:
(SOLIDS REMOVED)

 Use NON-Chemical Treated Materials

 Use 5 - 10 Micron Elements

ALWAYS FULL FLOW
 FILTRATION

 Optimum Filter Element

 Proper Micron Size

 Change Elements Frequently

 Inspect Used Elements

“CARBON” PURIFICATION
“IMPURITY REMOVAL”

USES “ADSORPTION” TECHNIQUE

REMOVES:

 HYDROCARBONS

 COMPRESSOR OILS

 WELL TREATING CHEMICALS

 ACTIVATED CARBON
PURIFICATION

 Low Energy

 Continuous Purification

 Quick Response
 CHANGE CARBON WHEN:

 SOLUTION DARKENS- In & Out

 PRESSURE DROP IS 10 - 15 POUNDS

Caution: Wet Activated Carbon Depletes

Oxygen from Air.
 STRIPPING GAS

 Be Sure It Is NEEDED

 Do NOT Use Excessive Volume

 Monitor Condenser Temperature

 TWO METHODS:

 Strip In The Reboiler: Sparging

(Cocurrent Contact)
 Strip After Reboiler: Stahls
(Counter-Current Contact)
 WHY USE STRIPPING GAS?

 Cocurrent: ~ 99.62 % TEG Purity

 Counter-Current: ~ 99.99 % TEG Purity

Max Volume: 5.5 SCF / Gallon TEG

 GLYCOL CARE
 OXIDATION

 THERMAL DECOMPOSITION

 pH CONTROL
 SALT CONTAMINATION

 HYDROCARBONS
 SLUDGE

 FOAMING
 OXIDATION

 Incoming Gas

 Unblanketed Storage Tanks

 Pumps
 GAS IMPURITIES

 Oxygen
 H2S
 CO2
 THERMAL
DECOMPOSITION
 High Reboiler Temperature 
 Poor Reboiler Design
 Hot Spots
 DECOMPOSITION

Sweet Odor, Thermal

Dark Color, = Degradation
Low pH in Reboiler
 pH CONTROL
 Monitors Corrosion
 7.3 to 8.5 pH is Safe
 Check pH Regularly
 Dilution: Use Distilled or Deionized -Water 50%
 Calibrate Analyzer
 Neutralize Carefully: Use Coastal 1755C pH Controller
 SALT CONTAMINATION

 Corrosive
 Restricts Heat Transfer
 Sodium Chloride, Calcium Chloride
 Can NOT be Removed by Filtration
 Control Via Inlet Gas Cleaning
HYDROCARBONS

 High Glycol Losses

 Foaming

 Plugging & Fouling

 HYDROCARBON
CONTAMINATION

Solution Is
Hydrocarbon
Black and =
Carry-over
Thick
 SLUDGE

Abrasive
 Plugging
 FOAM TYPES

 Mechanical
 Chemical
 FOAMING
FOAMING -- CAUSES:
CAUSES:

 Solids
 Surfactants
 Oils
 Absorption of Natural Gas
 High Velocities Through Contactor
FOAM
FOAM PROMOTERS
PROMOTERS

 Hydrocarbons
Hydrocarbons
Corrosion
CorrosionInhibitors
Inhibitors
Salts
Salts
Suspended
SuspendedSolids
Solids
 SIMPLE FOAM TEST

 Bottle Shake

 Pressure Drop Changes

 FOAM FIGHTING
METHODS
 Effective Gas Cleaning

 Good Solution Filtration

 Carbon Purification

 Antifoams
 GLYCOL ANALYSIS
 Glycol Weight Percent
 Water Percent
 Hydrocarbon Content

 Salt Content
 Solids Content
 pH
 Iron
 Need Minimum of 400 ml (~ quart); Lean & Rich
 TYPICAL ANALYSIS
Lean Rich
Glycol % 94 84
Water % 5 15
Hydrocarbon % 1 1
Chlorides % 0.3 0.3
Solids % 0.4 0.4
pH 7.5 7.5
Iron (ppm) 10,000 10,000
TYPICAL GLYCOL LOSSES

1 Pound per MMSCF

or
0.1 Gallon per MMSCF
Areas of High Glycol Losses

 Top of ABSORBER
 Top of STILL
 Pump
Flash Tank
Three Phase Separator
Operational Problems

 FOAMING

 CONTAMINATION

 CORROSION
 Corrosion : Causes

 Glycol Degradation and Acid Formation

 Presence Of Acid Gases

 Corrosion: Remedies

 Control Reboiler Bulk Temperature

 Control Fire Tube Heat Flux
 Exclude Oxygen

 Corrosion Inhibitor
Glycol Cleaning
3 to 5 Weight Percent Caustic
OR
 KEEP
GOOD
RECORDS
 Bubble Cap Tray

Roberts
Field Glycol Unit
 Typical Flow Sheet

Roberts
Ceramic Saddles
Pall Rings
Roberts
Roberts
Roberts