Dehydrators
A glycol dehydrator is a liquid dessicant system used to prevent hydrate formation and reduce corrosion in gas pipelines. Gas is required to meet a pipeline spec for water content, most commonly a maximum of 4 lb of water/mmscf of gas. Gas comes out of the well usually richer than the required spec.
Rich gas enters the dehydrator and goes through a separator which separates out any liquid or condensate in the gas stream. The gas proceeds upward to the contactor where it is mixed with Triethylene Glycol (TEG). TEG absorbs water, is non-corrosive, and chemical losses are generally quite low. Glycol is circulated through the gas in a contactor vessel, drying the gas, and then to the glycol regenerator (reboiler) where it is heated so the water boils off. The water vapour is released to the atmosphere or to an incinerator. The lean glycol is pumped back into the gas/glycol contactor.
What information do you require?
- Gas flow rate (MMSCFD)
- Gas analysis
- Operating pressure (psig)
- Max. working pressure of the contactor (psig)
- Gas inlet temperature (°C or °F)
- Outlet gas/water content required (lbs/MMSCF)
How can Tornado assist me?
Tornado’s engineering team can provide sizing advice based on your process conditions to ensure proper field performance. Tornado manufactures an extremely operator-friendly Dehydrator package with an integral three-phase separator included in the bottom of the absorber tower. Space is provided for an optional second (stand-by) glycol pump. We can also offer optional glycol flash tanks to further reduce gas emissions.
Tornado’s reboiler design includes a removable firetube and still column. The lean/rich glycol exchanger coils can be removed from the outside of the building via a full-diameter cover plate, which means simple maintenance and ease of cleaning. Stainless steel packing rings are used in both the still and stripping gas columns for efficiency and durability.
Do most Dehydrators also require an Incinerator?
Good question! If there is any presence of sour gas or BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethyl-benzene, xylene), then an incinerator is strongly recommended for complete destruction of these hazardous vapours. Even when no BTEX is present, still columns are emitting vapours 13 to 15 feet above grade and will generally produce onsite odours which should be properly disposed of.
Tornado has over 25 years experience designing still-off gas incinerators (in fact we built the first one ever… still working in the field to this day). Ask Tornado’s engineering team to quote both your dehydrator and incinerator at the same time for additional cost savings and peace of mind.
Click here for more information on Incinerators.
