QUESTION B (i)

Figure 2: Installation of PID controller in liquid level at the bottom of absorber

The contact with glycol obtained with several equilibrium stages in counter flow with the gas
leads to the dehydration of the latter as it exits the top of the column. The stream of TEG, diluted
by the water which it has absorbed (rich TEG), is discharged from the bottom of the column. As
the rich TEG flow in the bottom, the level controller is used to monitor and control its level using
the control valve in order to make it steady as well as the desired optimum production rate is
achieved. So, this type of control system is known as feedback control system. The feedback
control system can do a corrective action if the liquid level at the bottom has inconsistent flow of
the output that vary from their desired output. Besides, feedback controller also requires minimal
knowledge of the process to be controlled. Since glycol contactor (the absorber) is most
common places in the dehydration system where about 90% of glycol loss occurs. High gas
velocity through the glycol contactor will cause carryover of glycol into the pipeline. Hence, it is
necessary for feedback control system to be used in liquid level at the bottom to control the level.
QUESTION B (ii)

Water reflux into the stripper

Manipulated variable : The flow of wet/rich glycol leaves from absorber

Control variable : The temperature outlet from the reboiler

Disturbance variable : The flow of water inlet

The general operating problems in water reflux are glycol loss from the system. When the wet or
rich glycol leaves the absorber it will flows through a coil in the stripper where it is preheated by
hot lean glycol. The coil at top of the stripper provides a water reflux at the top of the stripper. In
this system, the temperature must control to ensure that the water leaving does not carry over
excess glycol and cause glycol loss. Glycol loss occurs when the reboiler temperature is too
high. In order to achieve the desired product, the temperature at the top of stripping column
should be maintain by manipulating the flow of rich glycol to a reflux generating, cooling coil
located at top of the stripping column. If the temperature drops too much, water vapour
condensation becomes excessive, which may flood the column, overfill the reboiler, increase
column pressure, and blow liquids out the top vent. Glycol losses may increase if the
temperature increase. In stripping system, the manipulated variable (MV) in this system is the
flow of wet/rich glycol leaves from absorber, the control variable (CV) is the temperature outlet
from the reboiler and the load disturbance variable is the flow of water inlet. The purpose design
control system in order to achieve optimum production rate of dehydrated natural gas is by using
ratio controller. Ratio controller located at the outlet stream of reboiler. The reboiler temperature
is controlled by a ratio control system in the hot oil outlet from the reboiler. The reboiler is
constructed with an internal weir which maintains the glycol level above the hot oil tubes giving
the required residence time for maximum heat transfer rates and prevent overheating of the unit.
Ratio control loop system used because it allows to measure two streams to produce and
maintain a ratio between the streams. It also simple to use and does not require a complex
model.