TEG Circulation Control for Variable Gas Dehydration Loads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gas dehydration systems rely on manually set quantities of triethylene glycol (TEG) that do not adjust to changing process gas conditions, leading to off-spec gas being fed to natural gas liquids (NGL) plants.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a computer-controlled TEG circulation system that periodically monitors process gas conditions and adjusts the quantity of TEG introduced into the contactor column using real-time temperature and flow rate signals to maintain desired water content levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manually set quantities of TEG are used in gas dehydration systems, then the system operation is simple, but the produced gas quality does not meet specifications when process conditions change
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a computer-controlled circulation system that continuously monitors process gas conditions and adjusts the quantity of TEG introduced into the contactor column in real-time based on feedback signals, ensuring produced gas quality meets specifications while adapting to changing process conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The TEG circulation quantity is made dynamic rather than fixed, allowing the system to automatically adjust the amount of TEG based on real-time process gas temperature and flow rate measurements, thereby maintaining manufacturing precision under varying conditions
2Loss of substance
If manually set quantities of TEG are used, then the device complexity is low, but excess TEG is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The computer-controlled system continuously monitors process gas conditions and adjusts TEG circulation quantity in real-time, preventing both excess TEG consumption and insufficient dehydration by maintaining optimal TEG flow rates based on actual process demands
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the TEG circulation parameter (flow rate) based on process gas temperature and flow rate measurements, optimizing TEG usage efficiency and reducing substance loss while adapting to varying operational conditions
3Manufacturing precision
If TEG circulation is automated with real-time monitoring, then the produced gas quality meets specifications, but the extent of automation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements automated feedback control where process gas temperature and flow rate measurements are continuously taken, and the computer automatically adjusts TEG circulation quantity to maintain desired water content levels, achieving precise manufacturing precision through automation
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-adjustment of TEG circulation based on automatic monitoring of process conditions, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining precise control over gas dehydration performance
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
Automates TEG circulation to ensure the produced gas quality meets specifications, minimizing excess TEG usage and reducing human intervention.
Implementation Method 1
A temperature sensor provides a temperature signal to a computer
Implementation Method 2
A flow sensor provides a flow rate signal to the computer
Implementation Method 3
The process gas is cross-contacted with TEG within a contactor column to reduce water content of the process gas
Data Source
AI summary
A tri-ethylene glycol (TEG) circulation system and method is implemented by a computer system, which periodically receives, from a temperature sensor and a flow sensor, respectively, a temperature signal representative of a temperature of a process gas upstream of a contactor column of a gas dehydration unit, and a flow rate signal representative of a flow rate of the process gas upstream of the contactor column. The process gas is cross-contacted with TEG within the contactor column to reduce water content of the process gas to satisfy a threshold water content. Using the temperature signal and the flow rate signal, the computer system periodically determines a quantity of TEG to be introduced into the contactor column to reduce the water content of the process gas to satisfy the threshold water content, and periodically controls an operation of a flow control valve configured to flow the TEG into the contactor column.