Regeneration Purpose

Rich glycol from contactor contains absorbed water reducing effectiveness. Reboiler heats glycol to 198-204C vaporizing water while maintaining liquid glycol. Water vapor vents to atmosphere. Regenerated lean glycol returns to contactor with restored water absorption capacity.

Package Components

Indirect-fired reboiler vessel, natural gas burner with controls, glycol circulation column, overhead vapor condenser optional, temperature control system, flame safety controls, pressure relief, instrumentation. Complete skid-mounted unit.

Reboiler Design

Vertical fire-tube configuration with combustion chamber at bottom. Fire tubes extend through glycol bath transferring heat. Glycol surrounds tubes boiling and releasing water vapor. Overhead vapor outlet to vent or condenser.

Fire-Tube Construction

Carbon steel pressure vessel with welded fire tubes. Tube bundle designed for thermal expansion. Refractory lining in combustion chamber. Relief valve protects from overpressure. Design per ASME Section VIII.

Burner System

Natural gas forced-draft or atmospheric burner. Capacity 0.5-5 MMBTU/hr depending on glycol circulation rate. Flame supervision with UV or flame rod sensors. Automatic ignition. Modulating control maintains temperature.

Temperature Control

Temperature controller modulates burner firing rate maintaining 198-204C. Too low temperature leaves water in glycol. Too high causes thermal degradation forming acids. Precise control critical for glycol life and performance.

Glycol Circulation Column

Stripping column above reboiler with 1-4 trays or packing. Rising vapor strips remaining water from descending glycol. Achieves 98.5-99% glycol purity standard regeneration. Stripping gas injection optional for 99.5%+ purity.

Operating Capacity

Sized for glycol circulation rate typically 2-4 gallons per pound water removed. Heating duty depends on water loading and desired regeneration level. Typical 0.5-3 MMBTU/hr for field dehydration units.

Material Selection

Carbon steel reboiler and column for standard service. Stainless steel components for sour gas applications with H2S and CO2 degrading glycol. Materials resist corrosion from hot acidic conditions.

Stripping Gas Option

Natural gas injection at 2-5 SCFH per gallon circulation improves regeneration to 99.5%+ purity. Enables deeper dewpoint depression. Gas routes through reboiler then vents with water vapor.

Overhead Condenser

Optional water-cooled condenser recovers glycol vapors reducing losses. Condensed glycol returns to system. Vent gas contains only water vapor and stripping gas. Reduces makeup glycol requirements.

Safety Controls

Flame supervision prevents gas accumulation. High-temperature shutdown protects from overfiring. Low glycol level cutoff prevents dry firing. Pressure relief protects from blocked vents or overpressure.

Applications

Natural gas TEG dehydration unit regeneration, gas processing plant glycol systems, wellhead dehydration packages, offshore platform dehydrators, and any glycol circulation requiring thermal regeneration.

Glycol Quality

Proper regeneration maintains absorption capacity. Overheating causes degradation forming acids corroding equipment. Underheating leaves water reducing performance. Temperature control critical for glycol life.

Emissions

Water vapor and trace glycol vapors vent to atmosphere. Some locations require vapor recovery or incineration. Environmental compliance depends on regulations and emissions quantity.

Performance Benefits

Restores glycol water absorption capacity through complete regeneration. Controlled heating prevents thermal degradation. Reliable indirect-fired design isolates combustion from glycol. Proven regeneration technology.

Standards Compliance

Fired pressure vessels per ASME Section VIII and local codes. Burner and controls per NFPA and CGA standards. Relief protection per API RP 521. Complete documentation with thermal calculations.

ERGIL glycol reboiler packages provide reliable thermal regeneration restoring TEG drying capacity in natural gas dehydration systems.