Technical paper
An Analysis of BTEX emissions from Amine Sweetening and Glycol Dehydration Facilities
The amount of BTEX components emitted from gas processing facilities has become a significant environmental concern. Recently, amine sweetening units have received the same environmental scrutiny as glycol units with regard to BTEX emissions. This paper compares the BTEX emissions from amine sweetening and glycol dehydration facilities as well as the methods available to minimize BTEX pickup in these systems. Reducing solvent circulation rates in both the amine and glycol units and minimizing the lean amine temperature were found to be the most effective ways of limiting overall BTEX emissions. Changing solvent type can also reduce emissions, but the effect on treated gas quality must be considered as well. In the cases investigated approximately 25% of the overall BTEX emissions came from the amine units, while the remaining 75% came from the glycol system 1998 Laurance Reid Gas Conditioning Conference Proceedings. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma.
The amount of BTEX components emitted from gas processing facilities has become a significant environmental concern. Recently, amine sweetening units have received the same environmental scrutiny as glycol units with regard to BTEX emissions. This paper compares the BTEX emissions from amine sweetening and glycol dehydration facilities as well as the methods available to minimize BTEX pickup in these systems. Reducing solvent circulation rates in both the amine and glycol units and minimizing the lean amine temperature were found to be the most effective ways of limiting overall BTEX emissions. Changing solvent type can also reduce emissions, but the effect on treated gas quality must be considered as well. In the cases investigated approximately 25% of the overall BTEX emissions came from the amine units, while the remaining 75% came from the glycol system 1998 Laurance Reid Gas Conditioning Conference Proceedings. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma.