DEHYDRATION

Dehydration : the act or process of removing water from

gases or liquids

 Removing water from natural gas streams helps

prevent the following:

• Line blockages

• Accelerated corrosion

• Hydrate formation and condensation

of free water in processing and

transportation facilities
Techniques for dehydrating natural gas, associated gas
condensate and natural gas liquids (NGLs), include :

· Absorption using liquid desiccants,

· Adsorption using solid desiccants,

· Dehydration with CaCl2,

· Dehydration by refrigeration,
· Dehydration by membrane permeation,

· Dehydration by gas stripping, and

· Dehydration by distillation
  Liquid dehydration systems
Absorption using liquid desiccants

 Absorption: The assimilation of one material into another.

In natural gas dehydration, the use of an absorptive liquid to
selectively remove water vapor from a gas stream.

Desiccant; A substance used in a dehydrator to remove water

and moisture.

 Liquid desiccants : dry gases by absorbing water in a

natural gas stream. A typical cycle includes contacting the liquid
desiccant with the gas stream and then stripping the water from
the desiccant.
 Liquid dehydration systems have the following
characteristics:

• Automate easily.
• Dry gases to moderately low dew points.
• Easy to operate and maintain.
• Lower dew points as much as 120°F.
• Susceptible to foaming.
The following four types of glycols are the most
common liquid desiccants used for dehydration:

1- Monoethylene glycol (MEG.

• Used for hydrate inhibition only
• High vapor equilibrium with gas so tend to lose to gas phase
• It can be recovered from gas by separation at temperature below
50F

2- Diethylene glycol (DEG).

• Provides reasonable dew point control
• Can be regenerated to only 95% max
• Low thermal degradation temperature
3- Triethylene glycol (TEG).
• Glycol most commonly used for dehydration
• Requires lower circulation rates than DEG
• Can reach lower dew points than DEG (down to -20°F in special
applications)
• Can be regenerated to about 99.95% purity
• High viscosity (not used when gas temperature is less than 50°F)

4- Tetraethylene glycol (TREG).

• Used when a stripping gas or vacuum
• regeneration is required
• High viscosity
Selection of the appropriate type of glycol depends on the
composition of the gas stream and on information provided
by the glycol vendor.
The recommendations for selecting glycols
RECOMMENDATION SITUATION/CONDITION
Use MEG because it depresses Natural gas transmission in which
hydrate formation recovery is not important
temperatures the most.
Use MEG because it has the Injected glycol contacts
lowest solubility of the glycols hydrocarbon liquids
in high molecular weight
hydrocarbons.
Use DEG or TEG because both Severe vapor losses
glycols have lower vapor
pressures than the other
glycols.
When both of these conditions Severe vapor losses and
are present, injected glycol contacts
DEG may be the best choice hydrocarbon liquids
 Process Description
A process flow diagram of a glycol dehydration unit is
shown in the following

PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM FOR GLYCOL DEHYDRATION UNIT

DESCRIBING THE GLYCOL DEHYDRATION PROCESS

 Wet inlet gas enters the bottom of the contactor while

lean glycol enters the top. As the wet gas stream flows
upward, it contacts the downward flowing lean glycol. During
this contact, the glycol absorbs water from the gas stream.
Dry outlet gas leaves the top of the contactor and rich glycol
exits the bottom. The rich glycol enters the top of the
stripping column and counter currently contacts steam rising
from the reboiler. The rich glycol then enters the reboiler,
which boils the water out of the glycol. The lean glycol leaves
the bottom of the reboiler and enters the surge tank for
storage. The pump raises the glycol to system pressure,
preparing it for another dehydration cycle.
 Glycol Dehydration System Components
The following components are the major components in a glycol
dehydration system:
• Inlet scrubber • Glycol pump
• Contactor • Heat exchangers
• Flash tank separator • Still column
• Filters • Reboiler
 Process/Design Variables
Several process and design variables have an important effect
on the successful operation of a glycol dehydration system..
 Gas Temperature
Plant performance is especially sensitive to the temperature of the incoming
gas. Glycol vaporization losses are increased at the higher temperature.
Furthermore, problems can result from too low a temperature (below 50°F)
because glycol becomes very viscous. High viscosity of glycol reduces tray
efficiency, promotes foaming, and increases glycol losses.
 Lean Glycol Temperature
The temperature of lean glycol entering the absorber has a significant effect
on the gas dew point depression, and should be held to a minimum to achieve
the best operation. However, it should be kept at least 10°F above the inlet gas
temperature to minimize hydrocarbon condensation in the absorber and
subsequent foaming.
 Glycol Reboiler Temperature
The reboiler temperature controls the concentration of the water in the glycol.
The glycol concentration increases with higher reboiler temperatures. The
reboiler temperature should never be allowed to remain at or above the glycol
degradation temperatures for any period of time.

 Regenerator Top Temperature

The temperature in the top of the regenerator is also important. A high
temperature can increase glycol losses due to excessive vaporization. The
recommended temperature in the top of the column is about 225°F. If the
temperature in the top of the column drops too low, too much water can be
condensed and washed back into the regenerator to flood the column and fill
the reboiler with excessive liquids.
 Contactor Pressure
At constant temperature, the water content of the inlet gas decreases with
increasing pressure. Therefore, less glycol circulation is required at higher
pressures. However, if carbon dioxide is present, at a certain point a higher
pressure will actually increase the water content. If not otherwise fixed, optimum
dehydration pressure is typically in the range of 700 to 1100 psig.

 Glycol Circulation Rate

When the number of absorber trays and glycol concentration are fixed, the
dew point depression of a saturated gas is a function of the glycol circulation
rate. Whereas the glycol concentration mainly affects the dew point of dry gas,
the glycol rate controls the total amount of water that can be removed. A
typical glycol circulation rate is about three gallons of glycol per pound of
water removed (seven maximum). The minimum circulation rate to assure
good glycol-gas contacting is about two gallons of glycol for each pound of
water removed.
 RECOMMENDED GLYCOL DEHYDRATION SYSTEM OPERATING
TEMPERATURES
Temperatures in the reconcentrator, the still column, and the reboiler reflect
performance of the glycol dehydration system and can indicate problems.
  Troubleshooting Glycol
dehydration Systems

Inlet Scrubber
Inlet scrubbers remove free water and many contaminants from the
inlet gas stream. In addition to free water, these contaminants include:

• Oils or hydrocarbons
• Entrained brine
• Down hole additives
• Solids, such as sand and corrosion products
 Methanol may be injected into upstream pipelines. Methanol in the
feed
gas to a dehydrator will be absorbed by the glycol. This results in the
following problems:
• Methanol will add additional heat duty on the reboiler and additional
vapor load on the regenerator. High methanol injection rates and
slug
carryover can cause flooding.
• Aqueous methanol causes rust in carbon steel, so corrosion can
occur
in the regenerator and reboiler vapor space.
Most of the methanol absorbed in the rich glycol solution can be
removed
by flashing in the regenerator. Activated carbon filters are used to
Oxygen
adsorb in system
methanol from the lean glycol solution to avoid these problems.
Oxygen enters the system with the incoming gas, through unblanketed storage
tanks and sumps, or through the pump packing glands. Sometimes glycol will
oxidize in the presence of oxygen and form corrosive acids. To prevent
oxidation, bulk storage tanks should have a gas blanket to keep air out of the
system. Oxidation inhibitors can also be used to minimize corrosion.
 Thermal Decomposition
Excessive heat, a result of one of the following conditions, will
decompose glycol and form corrosive products:
• High reboiler temperature above the glycol decomposition level.
• High heat-flux.
• Localized overheating, caused by deposits of salt or tarry
products
on the reboiler fired tubes or by poor flame direction on the fired
tubes.
Thermal Degradation
The following actions can help prevent thermal degradation:
• Keeping the temperature of TEG reboilers below 400°F
• Keeping reboiler heat fluxes below 8,000 Btu/hr-ft2
• Regularly inspecting reboiler fire tubes for hot spots.
Because hot spots continue to glow red after the flame is
shut off,
inspection is best done after dark.
 Shutdown
Using improper shutdown procedures can cause the system to overheat
the glycol. To avoid thermal decomposition, glycol dehydration systems
should be shut down in the following order:
• Shut off the inlet gas.
• Shut off the heat to the reboiler.
• Circulate the glycol until the reboiler temperature drops to 175°F.
• Stop the glycol pumps and slowly bleed off system pressure.
pH Control
The pH of glycol should be checked frequently. The optimum pH for glycol is
7.0 to 7.5. A pH above 8 promotes foaming The pH always decreases and the
glycol becomes acidic and corrosive, unless pH neutralizers or buffers are used.
The equipment corrosion rate increases rapidly with a decrease in the glycol pH.
Acids created by glycol oxidation, thermal decomposition products, or acid
gases picked up from the gas stream are the most troublesome of corrosive
contaminants. A low pH accelerates the decomposition of glycol. Borax,
ethanolamines (usually triethanolamine), or other alkaline neutralizers can be
used to control the pH. These neutralizers should be added with great care ,
slowly and continuously for best results.
 downstream processing systems. Contaminants, such as solid
articles, salts,
corrosion inhibitors, and hydrocarbon liquids, cause foaming
Monitoring the
pressure drop across the contactor is the best method for detecting
oaming.
The following conditions indicate that the glycol may be foaming:
• Erratic pressure readings followed by a rapid increase of 2 psi to 5
si.
• A drop in the glycol level in the surge tank can also indicate
oaming.
• A visual inspection of the lean glycol shows that it has foreign
material in it.
The color of the glycol does not necessarily show that the glycol is
irty, but
if it appears milky or hazy, then it contains foreign material and may
e
foaming.
• Foaming can be detected by bubbling air through a sample of glycol
or 5
min. and observing the resulting foam height and stability.
• Pressure increases of 5 psi to 10 psi across the contactor and a
 Glycol Circulation Rates

Glycol dehydration systems use glycol circulation rates of 1.5 to 3

glycol/lb
H2O removed. Higher circulation rates also:
• Can increase glycol losses
• Increase glycol pump maintenance problems
• Increase the temperature on the top tray of the contactor
• Overload the reboiler
• Prevent good glycol regeneration
High Outlet Gas Dew Point
The following conditions may cause the dew point of the outlet gas to
o
high:
• Change in gas flow rate, temperature, or pressure
• Insufficient glycol circulation rate (should be 1.5 to 3 gal TEG/lb H2O
ved)
• Poor glycol reconcentration
• Current operating conditions differ from design
• Malfunction of inlet scrubber
 PROCEDURES FOR RECOMMENDING ACTIONS TO
CORRECT FAULTY GLYCOL DEHYDRATION SYSTEMS

 High Outlet Gas Dew Point

 If the dew point of the outlet gas is too high, recommend the
ollowing actions:
Compare current operating conditions with the operating conditions where the
system was designed.
f the current operating load on the system is greater than when it was
designed, size the major components of the system.
nspect the operation of the inlet scrubber for malfunctions.
nspect for poor reconcentration of glycol (exit dew point is 5°F to 15°F higher
than dew point in equilibrium with the lean glycol).
 If the above actions do not correct the dew point of the outlet
gas, recommend the following actions:

1. Check the glycol circulation rate. If it is bellows specifications, check

the glycol pump for blockage.
2. Check the reboiler temperature and, if necessary, raise it.
3. If applicable, adjust the flow rate of the stripping gas.
4. If performing Step 1 through Step 3 does not correct the dew point of
the outlet gas, recommend the following corrective actions :
• Inspect the contactor trays for an accumulation of dirt or corrosion
products.
• Inspect the packing in the still column to see if it is broken or has been
carried out the top of the still.
• Check for a leak in the glycol-glycol exchanger. If the exchanger leaks,
the higher pressure rich glycol will leak into the lean glycol.
• Analyze the glycol for decomposition or contamination.
 High Glycol Losses
Determine where the glycol dehydration system is losing glycol.
• Contactor
• Still
• Separator
• Leaks, spills, etc.

 If the Loss Is from the Contactor

POSSIBLE CAUSES AND ACTIONS TO CORRECT GLYCOL LOSS FROM
CONTACTOR

ACTIONS POSSIBLE CAUSE

Check temperature of lean glycol leaving the Lean glycol entering contactor too hot
lean/rich glycol exchanger.
Check inlet gas flow rate. Gas velocity in contactor is too high
Size the contactor.
Inspect trays. Plugged trays in contactor or mist
Check glycol for contamination. extractor plugged or missing
Check the mist extractor.
Check operation of scrubber dump valve and Inlet scrubber passing liquids
level controllers.
Check size (capacity) of inlet scrubber.
 If the Loss is from the Still Column or Stripping Still
POSSIBLE CAUSES AND ACTIONS TO CORRECT GLYCOL LOSS FROM
STILL COLUMN

ACTIONS TO RECOMMEND POSSIBLE CAUSE OF LOSS

Calculate stripping gas rate and size Stripping gas flow rate too high
stripping still .
Inspect separator. Flash separator passing condensate
Check size (capacity)of separator.
Check operation of dump valves and level
controllers.
Inspect packing. Packing in still column is broken,
dirty, or plugged

 Losses From Separator

Glycol losses from the separator may be caused by the separator dumping the
separated glycol with the hydrocarbon liquids and vapor.
 If Glycol is Lost From Leaks, Spills, Etc.
If the glycol is being lost through leaks or spills, check for glycol loss from faulty
or improperly connected piping, fittings, valves, or gaskets. Check for glycol
losses from the pumps.
 Glycol contamination
POSSIBLE CAUSES AND ACTIONS TO CORRECT CONTAMINATED GLYCOL
ACTIONS POSSIBLE CAUSE
Inspect inlet scrubber. Carryover of contaminants from inlet scrubber (for example,
compressor lube
Check the size (capacity) of the inlet
oils, brine, corrosion inhibitors, well
scrubber.
treating chemicals, sand, corrosion
If scrubber is too small, reduce feed gas
inhibitors, corrosion scales)
flow.
If not, check other possible causes.
If it exists, check gas blanket. Oxygen leaks into glycol storage tanks
If not, install gas blanket.
Add amine or borax to neutralized acidity. Inadequate pH control, low pH causes
If necessary, change or reclaim glycol. increased corrosion
Inspect filters. Improper filtration, plugged filters,
Replace as required. bypassing of filters
If necessary, install activated carbon filters.
Evaluate cleaning procedures and change as Improper cleaning of glycol unit
necessary.
 Low Glycol Circulation Rate
 If the glycol circulation rate is too low, the glycol pump is the
most likely cause, so recommend that the operation of the pump
and its components be checked.
1. Use the following methods to check the operation of the pump:
• If it is a glycol-powered pump, close the lean glycol discharge valve. If the
pump keeps running, it needs repair.
• If it is a gas or electric pump, check the circulation of the glycol by stopping
the glycol discharge from the contactor and timing the fill rate of the gauge
column on the chimney tray section.
2. Check the following pump components:
• Check pump for worn or broken valves.
• Check for vapor lock in lines or pump.
• Check for excessive packing gland leakage.
3. Check if the level of glycol in the surge tank is too low.
4. Check if the contactor pressure is too high.
 High Still Column Temperature
 If the temperature in the still column is too high, recommend the
following actions:
• Check for inadequate reflux.
• Check the still column for flooding.
• Check for glycol foaming.
• Check for carryover of light hydrocarbon in the rich glycol.
• Check for a leaking reflux coil.

 Flash Separator Failure

If the flash separator appears to have failed, recommend the
following actions:
• Check the level controllers.
• Check the dump valves.
• Check for an excessive glycol circulation rate. Measure the actual glycol
circulation rate and compare the rate against the design glycol circulation rate.
 Foaming
 If foaming is indicated as a possible source of a problem,
recommend the following actions:
• Inspect the pressure drop across the contactor. Erratic pressure readings
followed by a rapid increase of 2 psi to 5 psi indicates foaming.
• Inspect the level of glycol in the surge tank. A drop in the glycol level in
the surge tank can also indicate foaming.
• Visually inspect the lean glycol for foreign material. The color of the glycol
does not necessarily show that the glycol is dirty, but if it appears milky or
hazy, then it contains foreign material and may be foaming.
• Remove a sample of lean glycol and test for chemical foaming. Bubble air
through the sample of glycol for 5 min. and observe the resulting foam’s height
and stability.
• Inspect the pressure drop across the contactor. Differential pressure increases
of 5 psi to 10 psi across the contactor and a negative foam test indicate
flooding or some other problem.
 High Reboiler Pressure
 If the pressure in the reboiler is too high, recommend the
following actions:
• Inspect the still column for damaged packing and/or if the trays are plugged
with tar, dirt, etc.
• Check the vent line for restrictions.
• Check the still column for flooding caused by excessive boil-up rates and/or
excessive reflux cooling.
• Check for hydrocarbon slugs in the still column. A slug of hydrocarbon liquid in
the glycol can enter the top of the still column, vaporize when it reaches the
reboiler, and blow liquids out of the still.
 Tube Fouling, Hot Spots, and Burnout
• Check for buildup of salt, dust, scales,etc., on the fire tube. Check inlet
separator.
• Check for deposits of coke and tar, formed by glycol overheating and/or
hydrocarbon decomposition.
• Check the glycol level in the reboiler. Its level can drop, exposing the fire tube,
which can lead to hot spots. Consider providing low level shutdown
instrumentation.
 Low Reboiler Temperature
 If the temperature in the reboiler is too low, recommend the
following actions:
• Check for an inadequately sized fire tube and/or burner.
• Check if the temperature controller is set too low.
• Check if the temperature controller is not operating correctly.
• Check if there is more water in the inlet gas because its pressure is low or its
temperature is high.
• Check for carryover of water from the inlet scrubber. Check the size (capacity)
of the inlet scrubber.
• Check for an inaccurate reboiler thermometer.
• Check for a low fuel rate or for a low Btu content in the fuel gas.