Measurement in the gas separator
September 2012
Level Measurement & Control
Liquefying natural gas when it is extracted, as well as gas residues from the mineral oil production, is done by increasing the pressure; however, the quality of the gas is impaired because of the constituent water content. In the gas separator, the scrubber, the water is bound chemically to added glycol to separate it from the gas. The effectiveness of this multistage process substantially influences the productivity and quality of the gas extraction, thus reliable measurement of the process parameters is particularly important.
Level measurement under extreme conditions
Very high pressures, up to 150 bar, keep the gas in a liquid state. The level of the gas/water mixture, described as a condensate, must be reliably and quickly determined in order to allow the continuous gas drying process to run effectively and uninterruptedly. Vega’s radar sensor, the Vegapuls 66, with its ceramic antenna system and graphite seal, measures the level contactlessly under these extreme conditions. Its long service life and maintenance-free operation enable long operating periods without shutdowns.
Interface detection with Vegaflex 86
The separation of gas and water is carried out through precipitation of the glycol-bound water. Different densities create an interface between the liquids and the position of the interface in the container determines the quantity of the respective liquid that must be added or discharged to ensure a continuous process.
Installed in a bypass vessel, the Vegaflex 86 sensor measures the position of the interface with the help of guided microwaves. The great difference between the dielectric properties of water and gas make a sure detection of the interface possible, even when the composition of both liquids fluctuates. Special signal couplings and process connections, designed for high pressures and temperatures, allow wear-free measurement under the most difficult conditions.
Pressure monitoring with Vegabar 61
Excessively high process pressures in the scrubber could endanger the operating staff and the plant equipment. This is where Vega’s pressure transmitter Vegabar 61 comes in by continuously monitoring the vessel pressure. Special chemically resistant isolating diaphragms make wear-free measurement of the aggressive gases possible under these extreme conditions.
For more information contact John Groom, Vega Instruments SA, +27 (0)11 795 3249, john.groom@vega.com, www.vega.com
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