In the glycol dehydration operation, several of Xintao’s customers claim that structured packing for TEG gas dehydration can significantly increase production.
In the basic glycol dehydration plant design, the typical contactor is described as a counter-current column containing four to ten bubble-cap trays. Although this description is probably appropriate for the majority of operating glycol units, there is a growing trend to consider other types of contacting devices. Chief among these are high efficiency structured packings and co-current contactors.
Random-packed absorption columns have seldom been used for large commercial-size dehydrators because of the very low liquid flow rates usually employed. A low liquid flow rate normally leads to the selection of a bubble-cap column. The recent trend toward extremely low dewpoint requirements (−40°F and below) has resulted in a reexamination of contactor designs to attain more theoretical stages at a reasonable cost. Structured packing, which is offered by several clients from Xintao, is claimed to offer greatly increased throughput, lower pressure drop, and lower column height than random packing for the same service.
Structured Packing for Distillation Adsorption
Conclusions on the Use of Structured Packing
- Many commercial structured packings perform well in dehydration service.
- The design gas velocity in a structured packing tower is about twice the normal velocity in a tray tower.
- Due to the high gas velocity, a high efficiency demister is required.
- A high efficiency drop point liquid distributor should be used.
- The turndown capability of corrugated structured packing is excellent with no defined lower limit.
Advantages of Xintao Structured Packing
- Minimum pressure drop
- No flooding problems
- Large turndown ratio
- Low capital investment
- Small space requirement
- Simple operation
Random Packing And Structured Packing, Which Is Better In The Absorption Column
In the basic design of glycol dehydration unit, the widely used packed bed is high-efficiency structured packing.
Random packing for absorber columns is rarely used in large commercial scale dehydrators because the liquid flow rates typically used are very low.Low liquid flow rates often lead to the choice of bubble columns.Structured packing, on the other hand, offers much higher flux, lower pressure drop, and lower column height than random packing in the same service.
Conclusion
- Many structured packings perform well in commercial dewatering services.
- The designed gas velocity in the structured packing column is about twice the normal velocity in the plate column.
- Due to the high gas flow rate, a high-efficiency mist eliminator is required.
- A high-efficiency drop-point liquid dispenser should be used.
- The adjustment ability of structured packing is excellent, and the capacity is temporarily unlimited.
Advantages
- Minimal pressure drop
- No flooding problem
- Wide turndown ratio
- Less capital investment
- Small space requirement
- Simple operation
Structured Packing Application Example
Mixers consist of stacked metal, plastic or ceramic corrugated sheets oriented to form a multitude of intersecting flow channels or mixing cells. By injecting lean glycol into the line ahead of the mixing element, the system efficiently removes water over a short line length and approaches equilibrium over a wide range of gas flow rates.
