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Hydrate formation
Definition: Crystal structures with a set geometry that require the presence of water and components present in hydrocarbons, for their formation.
Hydrates are a major problem in the production and transport of natural gas.
Favourable conditions: temperature and pressure Hydrate formation conditions: pressure must be sufficiently high and
its temperature sufficiently low.
water deposition due to condensation in the pipes or free water from the reservoir may cause large pressure drops with risks of:
"water hammer" effects due to the liquid slugs erosion
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Principles
This solution consists of moving the hydrate formation curve outside the facility's operating range. To achieve this, several solutions are at our disposal.
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Scope of application
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Disadvantages
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Contre-indications
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Disadvantages
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arie KOW:
water-laden glycol is drawn off from the flash drum glycol flows down through the column exits the column towards the reboiler for regeneration the water vapour exits the distillation column in the reverse direction the concentrated glycol exits the reboiler via a weir
- series of filters
Colonne de stripping
Fuel gas
Gaz de flash
Glycol sec
Gazoline Glycol
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Scope of application
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seasonal injection
small quantity of gas subsea wells short lines
stand-alone installation
- commissioning after testing Not recommended in the following cases: long lines
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- safe storage (low volatility product). Disadvantages: presence of liquid in the transport facility (injection flow rate higher than that of the methanol) corrosion if H2S or CO2 present difficulties (or impossibility) to regenerate if salt water present gas does not meet the specifications
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Advantages and disadvantages of the different processes Inhibition by methanol (not recovered)
Advantages:
simple to install low investments small equipment size good reliability creation of a two-phase flow
Disadvantages:
gas does not meet the commercial standards with respect to water content.
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Operating an installation
The bath temperature in the reboiler. The higher the temperature, the more water is released by the TEG. The limit is set at 204C because the TEG deteriorates above 215 C.
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Filtration
pH neutralisation equipment
Thermal breakdown
An excessive temperature in the reboiler can break down the glycol and form corrosive products (the TEG decomposition temperature is 215C). Local overheating may be caused by salt or bitumen deposits on the fire tubes or heating tubes.
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Deposits
Good filtration and activated charcoal treatment prevents the solid particles and bituminous hydrocarbons from being deposited.
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Presence of condensates
The liquid hydrocarbons cause the glycol to foam. They can be eliminated in the flash drum and in the activated charcoal filters.
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Problems encountered
Vaporisation These losses can be limited by sufficiently cooling the gas upstream of the absorber.
Entrainment The high points in the column are generally equipped with internal systems (separator, demister, coalescer) designed to prevent the glycol being mechanically entrained through the system.
Mechanical leaks Mechanical leaks can be reduced by keeping the pumps, valves and other equipment on the lines correctly maintained
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