Abstract: A system for recovering glycol from glycol and brine mixtures produced from oil or natural gas wells that combines energy efficiency with a capability for handling salt and other solids contained in the mixture. The system comprises three effect evaporator systems in series. Each effect evaporator system comprises an evaporator, a separator vessel, product pumps, and a solids removal system. The process utilizes the system to remove salt and other solids as well as excess water leaving a glycol stream that can be reused as a hydrate inhibitor. The process begins by preheating a glycol/brine stream comprising approximately fifty percent (50%) glycol. The stream is then subjected to three evaporation cycles. The first evaporation cycle comprises introducing the preheated stream into a suppressed boiling point evaporator where the stream is heated under a constant pressure. The stream pressure is then dropped to cause a portion of the water contained in the stream to vaporize or flash.

Abstract: Unlike standard atmospheric glycol reconcentration units with reboilers, which release into the atmosphere column overheads containing water vapor, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), H2S (hydrogen sulfide) and other gaseous (including vaporous) pollutants extracted from lean glycol, the disclosed apparatus directs the overheads to the plant fuel system, or to a thermal/catalytic oxidation system, or to a compressor which is already in service compressing low pressure lease-produced gas or to a combination of these destinations. The reboiler operating pressure is maintained in the range of about 25 to about 125 PSIA. When using a stripper, which may either be in or downstream of the reboiler, one may for example achieve a 98.5+% TEG concentration at a reboiler pressure of 75 PSIA and a temperature of 390° F., using approximately 10 SCF of stripping gas per gallon of glycol circulated.

Abstract: A process and a system is disclosed for recovering glycol from glycol and brine mixtures produced from oil or natural gas wells that combines energy efficiency with a capability for handling salt and other solids contained in the mixture. The system comprises three effect evaporator systems in series. Each effect evaporator system comprises an evaporator, a separator vessel, product pumps, and a solids removal system.The process utilizes the system to remove salt and other solids as well as excess water leaving a glycol stream that can be reused as a hydrate inhibitor. The process begins by preheating a glycol/brine stream comprising approximately fifty percent (50%) glycol. The stream is then subjected to three evaporation cycles. The first evaporation cycle comprises introducing the preheated stream into a suppressed boiling point evaporator where the stream is heated under a constant pressure. The stream pressure is then dropped to cause a portion of the water contained in the stream to vaporize or flash.