To meet the pipeline specifications, natural gas must contain water levels in the 4 to 10 lb/MM SCF range (typically 7 lb/MM SCF). Traditionally, triethylene glycol (TEG) glycol units have been used for this purpose. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that over 35,000 glycol units are in operation in the USA alone. Though widely used, glycol dehydration faces increasing environmental restrictions since the units can emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene (BTEX) and hazardous air pollutants and nitrogen oxide (NOx) from the fired regeneration reboiler. Pneumatic control devices typically deployed in glycol systems can also emit methane and VOCs. Handling of chemicals and maintenance requirements can make operation of glycol units in remote locations challenging. Glycol evaporation and condensation in downstream pipelines has been reported to lead to corrosion and can cause foaming problems in downstream amine plants.
ALaS' PEEK-Sep membranes can offer a simple alternative solution for your dehydration needs. The membrane solutions can be configured in multiple ways to accomplish dehydration only, or also remove multiple contaminants in addition to H2O.