4 replies to this topic

[Rahimzadeh]

Dear
We are face with wax in our reciporating compressor inlet and outlet valves.
Our fluid is TEG.
What is reason of this problem?

[latexman]

Are you dehydrating natural gas?  If not, what is the process?

 

In natural gas dehydrating, wax is usually caused by accumulation of heavy hydrocarbons, degradation products, and solid contaminants.

[Rahimzadeh]

Our process is dehydration natural gas,how we can avoid it?

[latexman]

Wax in a Triethylene Glycol (TEG) natural gas dehydration process is avoided primarily by removing heavy hydrocarbons upstream of the contactor, filtering the glycol, and maintaining high temperatures in the separation and regeneration units to prevent paraffin solidification. Paraffin (wax) typically enters the system in vapor phase but can solidify when temperatures drop, leading to plugging.

Key methods to prevent and manage wax include:
• Upstream Separation: A high-efficiency inlet separator or scrubber is essential at the inlet of the contactor tower to remove free liquid hydrocarbons and particulates, preventing them from entering the glycol system.
• Coalescing Filter: Placing a coalescer or filter separator between the inlet separator and the absorber (contactor) can remove small vapor-phase paraffin droplets that escape the initial separator.
• Three-Phase Separator (Rich Glycol Side): A three-phase separator on the rich glycol side is highly effective at removing paraffin from the glycol before it enters the reboiler.
• Maintaining Proper Temperature: The hydrocarbon separator should be placed downstream from the glycol-glycol heat exchanger. This ensures the mixture is kept above the solidification temperature of the paraffin (typically around 150°F).
• Maintaining System Heat: Keeping the rich glycol hot before it enters the reboiler ensures any remaining paraffin does not precipitate in the piping.
• Routine Filtration: Using particulate filters on the rich glycol line to remove solids.

If paraffin does enter the system, it will likely plug the filters, indicating the need to check the upstream separation efficiency.

[Rahimzadeh]

Thank you so much