The
Vortex Tube Separator
The
Vortex Tube Separator was developed by the MAINOVA AG, BEB, Ruhrgas AG and FILTAN
GmbH over the last years. The VTS is conditioning natural gas by removing water
and hydrocarbons in one single process.
The
Vortex Tube Separator for gas dehydration was installed by the Thyssengas GmbH
worldwide for the first time in the year 2000 and is in operation since March
2001.
R
+ I diagram of a Vortex Tube Separator dehydration unit.
Technical
Datas
Working
pressure max/ min.: 210 / 36 barg
Gasflow max / min.: 20.000 / 140.000 Nm³/h
Dewpoint: -10°C at 36 barg
The natural gas is stored in underground caverns to cover
the peak load services. The stored natural has components such as water, hydrocarbons
and lubrications. The natural gas from the cavern enters at first the inlet
separator to remove slugs of water and small mechanical parts. After passing
the inlet separator the gas will be heated up in the preheater to appr. 45°C.
The warm natural gas enters the Vortex Tube Separator to remove water and
hydrocarbon contents and depressurizes the gas down to the sales gas pipeline
pressure. Ahead of the VTS glycol is inhibited to avoid formation of hydrates.
The cold gas and warm gas streams are recombined after a cold separator, where
the water and hydrocarbons are collected. The liquids are discharged to the
glycol regeneration unit. The temperature of the dry sales gas will be increased
in the after heater from appr. -10°C up to appr. 5°C
Advantages
of the Vortex Tube Separator
A
"turn down ratio" of 15%. The gas throughput is variable from 20.000
to 140.000 Nm³/h.
A short start up phase. (no preheating of the regeneration is required)
A very small glycol circulation rate (appr. 15% of the adsorber tower technique)
Significant smaller emissions due to the small glycol circulation rate.
Advantages
during operation of the Vortex Tube Separator
Smaller
capital costs.
Smaller operation costs..
The Vortex Tube Separator has no rotating parts, therefore no maintenance is
required.
3
Process description (short version)