High Resolution Imaging System for Corrosion Measurement

65084 Glycol dehydration is the most widely used method of dehydrating natural gas worldwide; the process is simple, proven, and inexpensive. However, these systems emit Hazardous Air Pollutants, most notably benzene, to the atmosphere. In 2002, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will issue rules to control these emissions. This project will modify the existing process by incorporating a membrane in the glycol regeneration step. The membrane will allow only passage of water vapor and eliminate Hazardous Air Pollutant emissions. The membrane also allows operation with a sweep gas, which will improve the drying performance of the glycol dehydrator. In Phase I, membrane performance data will be obtained with a laboratory-scale module. The module will be operated with glycol/water/hydrocarbon mixtures in a test loop to be constructed for the project. The performance data will be used to carry out process simulations and to perform a technical and economic analysis. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: Over 7,000 natural gas glycol dehydrators in the U.S. currently emit over 1 million tons of Hazardous Air Pollutants per year. The new membrane technology not only will satisfy EPA regulations for the operation of these dehydrators, it also should improve drying performance and increase cost effectiveness.