Estimation of Glycol Contactor Performance Using Graphical Techniques

摘要

Glycol contactors are possibly the most common mass transfer operation employed in the oil and gas industry worldwide and have been in use for more than fifty years [Ref 1]. Accurate prediction and evaluation of contactor performance is essential to the design and operation of glycol units.rnGlycol contactors can be modeled using shortcut techniques and it is possible to develop easy-to-use graphs that facilitate their design and/or performance evaluation. The 9th edition of the GPSA Engineering Data Book [Ref 2] included "quickie" performance charts (developed by Worley) which plotted dew point depression as a function of TEG circulation rate for various TEG concentrations and actual trays. These curves were simple to use but were only valid for contactors operating at 100 ℉ so had limited applicability.rnThe 11th edition of the Data Book [Ref 3] included contactor performance curves developed by Hubbard which plotted fraction of water removal vs. circulation rate for various glycol concentrations and theoretical stages. These graphs are in the 12th edition [Ref 4], Figs. 20-69 thru 20-73 (Fig. 20-74 was developed by Robert Smith). The curves are also included in Vol. 2 of the Campbell Gas Conditioning and Processing texts [Ref 5]. These relationships have wider applicability than the Worley curves because they can be used for any contacting temperature, but their accuracy does depend on contactor operating conditions.