The World of Energy

Chapter 29 ± LNG Technology ± Gas Treating

29.3. Moisture Removal

Ch. 29 - 21
Dehydration Unit

† Dehydration is the removal of water

from the produced natural gas and is
accomplished by various methods:
„ Ethylene glycol
„ Triethylene Glycol dehydration
(TEG) and diethylene glycol (DEG)
„ Dry-bed dehydrators using solid
desiccants

Ch. 29 - 22
 Molecular Sieve
† Molecular sieves are
adsorbents composed of
aluminosilicate crystalline
polymers (zeolites).
† They efficiently remove
low concentrations of
polar or polarizable
contaminants such as
H2O, methanol, H2S,
CO2, COS, mercaptans,
sulfides, ammonia,
aromatics and mercury
down to trace
concentrations.
† Molecular sieve products
manufactured in various
forms: beads, granules
and extrudates, including
standard pellets and
TRISIVTM pellets.
† The molecular sieve type,
size and particle shape
selected for a particular
customer are determined
by the application.

Ch. 29 - 23
Molecular Sieve Structure

Ch. 29 - 24
Molecular Sieve vs Activated Alumina

Ch. 29 - 25
An Open Cycle Molecular Sieve Dehydration

Ch. 29 - 26
Molecular Sieve Applications
† Natural gas dehydration
„ Normal parameters: water saturated, 30-200°F, 100-1500
psig. Regeneration is via dry or wet gas, yielding LNG or
pipeline specifications, respectively.
† Natural gas mercury removal
„ (Combines with dehydration, one system, no additional
VLHYH)HHGVZLWKNjJ1PLQ\LHOGNjJ1P
out.
† Natural gas/LPG desulfurization
„ H2S, mercaptans, COS and sulfides can be removed. Effluent
with H2O <0.1 ppmv and each sulfur type <1 ppmv.
† 1DWXUDOJDV&2UHPRYDOIRU³SHDNVKDYLQJ´
„ LNG plants inlet CO2 @ 1,000-20,000 ppmv, 40-100°F, 200-
800 psia. Effluent with H2O <0.1 ppmv and CO2 <50 ppmv.
† Ammonia synthesis gas purification
„ Inlet CO2 <20 ppmv, NH3 <20 ppmv, 40-100°F, 100-1000
psig. Out ppmv,<0.1 NH3, <1.0 CO2.

Ch. 29 - 27
 Typical H2O (Moisture) Removal Unit

WET
WET GAS
† H2O freezes and
SWEET GAS
blocked equipments
† H20 is adsorbed by
Molecular Sieve (Silica
Alumina) catalyst
† Regenerated by hot

REGENERATION
SERVICE

gas heating
GUARD † H2O inlet : saturated
† H2O oulet : 1 ppm
† Catalyst life : 4 ~ 6
years

HOT
DRY GAS
DRY
SWEET GAS

Ch. 29 - 28
Adsorption: Equilibrium & MTZ

Ch. 29 - 29
Feed Vapor Dryer & Molecular Sieves

Ch. 29 - 30
Dehydration Technology for LNG
† All LNG Plants use Molecular Sieve adsorption technology.
The only technology can meet outlet moisture content below
1 ppm (minus 110 Deg. C dew point)
† Other dehydration technology such as Glycol Unit, Silica Gel
or Activated Alumina cannot meet low moisture outlet
† Adsorption/Desorption Scheme:
„ Pressure Swing Desorption
„ Heated Desorption (heat regenerated). Suitable for Gas Turbine
Plant.
† Various type of Molecular Sieve
„ Beads (Spherical). Sturdy, resistant to crushing and friction.
High pressure drop, less surface area.
„ Pellet (Cylindrical). More surface area, higher efficiency. More
flow void space, less pressure drop.
„ Clover Leaf (Triple Cylindrical). Highest surface area, high
efficiency. Prone to crushing and friction.

Ch. 29 - 31
Causes of Molecular Sieve Aging

† Causes of Aging
„ Insoluble water
„ Liquid entrainment (hydrocarbon, water)
„ High water partial pressure at high
temperature (above 150°C)
„ Amine carryover
„ CO2 , Carbonic acid formation
„ H2CO3 + (Na+, Ca++, K+) Na2CO3 -
NaHCO3 - CaCO3 - K2CO3
„ Decomposition of mercaptans during
regeneration
„ Presence of chlorides
„ Mercury

Ch. 29 - 32
Multibed System: Dehydration

Ch. 29 - 33
Adsorption Mechanisms and Adsorbents

† Adsorption is one of the many separation

technologies used in treating natural gas. Adsorption
can be broken down into several different
categories:
† Chemisorption (usually irreversible; no
regeneration)
„ Mercury removal with promoted activated carbon, H2S
polishing with ZnO.
† Physisorption (reversible adsorption on the surface
of a material)
„ Water or hydrocarbon removal with silica gel ±
regeneration by heat.
† Size exclusion (the molecules of the contaminant fit
into the pores of the adsorbent, the rest passes by.)
„ Removal of N2 or CO2 with Molecular Gate ±
regeneration with heat or pressure swing.

Ch. 29 - 34
Schematic of Adsorption Cycle

Ch. 29 - 35