Parametric analysis of natural gas dehydration by a triethylene glycol solution

Natural gas must be dehydrated before transmission over a long distance through a pipeline to prevent the condensation of liquid water to ensure trouble-free operation. A design analysis of dehydration of 1 million cu m/day of natural gas using a liquid desiccant, i.e., triethylene glycol (TEG), in bubble cap tray towers was carried out. The operating temperature of the gas had a negligible effect on the column inner diameter but had considerable impact on the TEG circulation rate required for dehydration. As the operating pressure increased, the column inner diameter as well as the TEG circulation rate decreased for any given operating conditions. At higher temperature operating conditions, increasing the number of trays could decrease the TEG circulation rate.