Glycol Purge Stream pH Reduction for Organic Acid Salt Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for glycol processing in the oil and gas industry result in significant loss of valuable glycol processing aids due to the buildup of organic acid salts, which increases viscosity and fouls equipment, necessitating periodic discarding of fluid from vaporization apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the reduction of pH in a glycol vaporization separator purge stream to form an acid stream, followed by distillation to separate overhead and bottoms streams, with the bottoms stream being recycled back to the vaporization separator, effectively removing organic acid salts while minimizing glycol loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If fluid is periodically removed from the vaporization apparatus to address impurity buildup, then organic acid salt accumulation is reduced, but large amounts of valuable glycol processing aid are discarded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes only the harmful organic acid salt impurities from the glycol stream through a dedicated removal system, while retaining and recycling the valuable glycol processing aid. This selective extraction resolves the contradiction by separating the harmful component for disposal from the valuable component for reuse.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a system where organic acid salts are discarded through purge streams while glycol is recovered and recycled back to the vaporization apparatus. This differential treatment of components resolves the contradiction by discarding only what is harmful and recovering what is valuable.
2Productivity
If fluid is pumped continuously through the heater, then glycol vaporization is maintained, but organic acid salt buildup increases viscosity and adversely impacts operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary removal of organic acid salts through purge streams before they can significantly accumulate and increase viscosity. This preventive action maintains fluid flowability and pump operability while allowing continuous glycol vaporization to proceed at high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs monitoring of fluid properties (such as viscosity or flow rate) to detect impurity buildup, which triggers increased purge rates to remove organic acid salts. This feedback control maintains ease of operation while preserving continuous vaporization productivity.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If purge stream frequency is increased to remove impurities, then organic acid salt accumulation is reduced, but glycol processing aid loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses extraction techniques to selectively remove organic acid salts from the glycol stream in the purge, minimizing co-loss of glycol. This selective extraction allows effective impurity removal at lower purge frequencies, resolving the contradiction between reducing impurity accumulation and minimizing glycol loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical state or properties of organic acid salts (such as converting to different forms) to facilitate their selective removal in purge streams while leaving glycol intact. This parameter change enables effective impurity removal with minimal glycol loss, resolving the contradiction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach reduces the need for frequent fluid removal, maintains equipment efficiency, and recycles valuable glycol processing aids, thereby minimizing waste and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
distilling the acid stream to form an overhead stream and a bottoms stream
Implementation Method 2
recycling the bottoms stream to the vaporization separator
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments described herein provide a method, comprising reducing pH of a glycol vaporization separator purge stream to form an acid stream; distilling the acid stream to form an overhead stream and a bottoms stream; and recycling the bottoms stream to the vaporization separator.