DEHYDRATION

SYSTEMS

BY
N.SAM NAVEEN ASIR
B.TECH(PRPC)
2011307028

WHY DEHYDRATION ???

Water (H2O) is a highly undesirable component in

natural gas or fuel streams

Water (vapour form) becomes liquid at low
temperature (or) high pressure
Such a liquid formation could affect the
transportation of natural gas through pipelines
Possibility of formation of gas hydrates
( CH4.7H2O)which can lead to blockage of
pipelines.
*Water reduces the heating value of natural gas
*water causes corrosion along with CO2 and H2S.

GAS HYDRATES
STRUCTURE

DETERMINATION OF WATER
CONTENT IN NATURAL GAS
Water content is indirectly determined by

calculating the dew point of the stream.

Dew point is the temperature at a given
pressure where a hydrocarbon rich stream like
natural gas will start to condense out of the
gaseous phase
The difference in dew point temperature of a
water saturated gas stream and the pure
hydrocarbon stream will give the dew point
depression.
Thus the amount of water in natural gas

DEHYDRATION
METHODS..
DEHYDRATION BY COOLING
DEHYDRATION BY ADSORPTION
DEHYDRATION BY ABSORPTION
GLYCOL DEHYDRATION PROCESS

DEHYDRATION BY
COOLING
The ability of natural gas to contain water

vapour decreases as the temperature is

reduced.
The process is based on the simple principle
(cooling) due to which water vapour
undergoes a phase change due to low
temperature and becomes a liquid
After converting considerable amount of
water vapour into liquid, A natural gas stream
containing very less amount of water vapour
is obtained.

GAS COMPRESSORS
Gas compressors are partial dehydrators
Due to increase in pressure ,The stream is

cooled and water vapour is removed

Uses Ethylene Glycol to cool the inlet stream

DEHYDRATION BY ADSORPTION
Adsorptionis theadhesionofatoms,ions,

ormoleculesfrom a gas, liquid, or dissolved

solid to asurface.
Natural gas containing water vapour is
fed into adsorption columns containing
DESICCANTS.
Adesiccantis ahygroscopicsubstance that
induces or sustains a state of dryness (
desiccation) in its vicinity.
Examples of commonly used desiccants
are activated charcoal,calcium sulfate,

ADSORPTION PROCESS
Step one: DEHYDRATION , with the help of

desiccant bed in absorption tower.

Step two: REGNERATION , heats up the
natural gas stream and creates turbulence,
thus enhancing the surface area of contact
Step three: COOLING, Due to cooling, the
water vapour condenses and thus can be sent
to the absorber.
Step four:, The impurities like H2S,CO2 can be
removed. SCRUBBING

TYPICAL SOLID DESICCANT

DEHYDRATION PLANT
-

ADVANTAGES OF DESICCANT
DEHYDRATION

DEHYDRATION BY
ABSORPTION
absorptionis a physical or chemicalphenomenonor

aprocessin whichatoms,molecules, orionsenter

some bulk phase gas,liquid, orsolidmaterial
Liquid DESSICANTS are used in this process
The commonly used dessicants are glycols like
Ethylene Glycol , Diethylene Glycol, Triethylene Glycol.
Glycols are more effective than solid desiccants
Dew point depression is 40 to 140 Fahrenheit, gas
pressure ranging between 25 to 2500 psig and
operating temperature is 40 to 160 degree Fahrenheit

DEHYDRATION BY GLYCOL PROCESS

CONTD.

Contd.

TYPICAL GLYCOL
DEHYDRATOR

ADVANTAGES

DISADVANTAGES
SUSPENDED PARTICLES (DUST, IRON OXIDE)
Over heating of solutions
Sludges on heating surfaces causes loss of

efficiency
Foaming
Leakage of vent gases
Viscosity of Glycol

THANK YOU

..