Influence of Regenerated Monoethylene Glycol on Natural Gas

Oct 17, 2017 - Although continuous MEG recycling (injection/regeneration) is the most reliable and cost-effective solution for hydrate management, rec...
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Influence of Regenerated Monoethylene Glycol on Natural Gas Hydrate Formation Khalifa Mohamed AlHarooni, Rolf Gubner, Stefan Iglauer, David J. Pack, and Ahmed Barifcani Energy Fuels, Just Accepted Manuscript • DOI: 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.7b01539 • Publication Date (Web): 17 Oct 2017 Downloaded from http://pubs.acs.org on October 18, 2017

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Influence of Regenerated Monoethylene Glycol on Natural Gas Hydrate Formation Khalifa AlHarooni, §* Rolf Gubner, ψ Stefan Iglauer, § David Pack, ɸ Ahmed. Barifcani, §

§

Department of Petroleum Engineering, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, W.A.

6845, Australia ɸ

Gas Measurement and Auditing Pty Ltd, P.O Box 458, Kalamunda, Perth, WA, 6926,

Australia ψ

Curtin Corrosion Engineering Industry Centre, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth,

W.A. 6845, Australia

Keywords: Gas Hydrate, Mono Ethylene Glycol, MEG regeneration, MEG reclamation, well completion fluids, experimental measurement, equilibrium conditions

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Abstract

The key objective of this study is to investigate the efficiency of thermodynamic hydrate inhibition

of

Monoethylene

glycol

(MEG)

solutions

collected

from

a

MEG

regeneration/reclamation pilot plant, simulating six scenarios of the start-up and clean-up phases of a typical gas field. The scenarios contain complex solutions of condensates, drilling muds/well completion fluids with high concentrations of divalent-monovalent ions, particulates, and various production chemicals, which can result in various system upsets in MEG plant. MEG was regenerated and reclaimed at a recently constructed closed-loop MEG pilot plant that replicates a typical field plant. During MEG plant operation, feed-rich MEG is separated, cleaned, and heated so that water in it is evaporated and purified for re-use. In this study, equilibrium conditions of natural gas hydrates in the presence of 20 wt % of regenerated and reclaimed MEG solution at a pressure range of 65 to 125 bar were reported. The equilibrium data were measured in a PVT sapphire cell unit using an isochoric temperature search method. The measured data were compared with the literature and theoretical predictions to investigate the influence of regenerated/reclaimed MEG on gas hydrate inhibition performance. A better understanding of the efficiency of regenerated complex MEG solutions on hydrate phase equilibria forms a basis for improved system design, operations, and calculating required MEG dosages for hydrate inhibition.

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1. INTRODUCTION In hydrocarbon production, ethylene glycols are used primarily as thermodynamic hydrate inhibitors, or as a hygroscopic liquid for gas dehydration for absorbing water associated with natural gas.1,2 Gas hydrates, which are also known as gas clathrates, resemble ice and form in the presence of water at specific conditions of high pressure and low temperature.3,4 Gas hydrates become crystallized by entrapping guest molecules in a hydrogen-bonded network of water.5,6 Guest molecules of natural gas are mainly of methane, with other guests such as carbon dioxide, ethane, and propane.6,7 Favorable conditions for gas hydrates often exist in gas pipelines and during gas processing; therefore, gas hydrates are considered as a serious flow assurance problem.5 Monoethylene glycol (MEG) is becoming more favored in the use as hydrate thermodynamic inhibitors than other inhibitors such as methanol because of its better hydrate suppression performance,8 less loss to the gas phase and more operationally and environmentally friendliness.9 Considering the large quantities required for operation, MEG regeneration is the most reliable and cost-effective method to recycle the used MEG to clean contamination with minimum loss.2,10,11 MEG regeneration is used widely and in different fields, such as Reliance KG-D6 (India), Statoil’s Ormen Lange and Asgard B (Norway), Conoco Phillip’s Britannia Satellites (UK), BP’s Shah Deniz (Azerbaijan), Woodside Pluto (Australia), South Pars gas field, and most of the gas-condensate fields in the North Sea and the deeper parts of the Gulf of Mexico.11,12 MEG regeneration and reclamation poses ongoing operational challenges in the oil and gas industry, especially during the field start-up phase where the incoming rich MEG may contains a large volume of drilling mud and completion fluids that require special separation treatment.13 To assist in understanding these operational challenges and concerns, a MEG pilot plant that replicates the functionality of actual MEG facilities was constructed at the Curtin Corrosion Engineering Industry Centre (CCEIC) to generate pilot data replicating field

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operation conditions.14 The MEG regeneration and reclamation pilot plant was designed as a MEG closed-loop system with a design capacity of 1-4 kg/hour of lean MEG production. A schematic of the MEG pilot plant is given in Figure 1.

Vent

ER

A2 PT

1 m H2O

NaOH/ Na2CO3

N2

Vent

A1 LT

N2

BT MFM

Ultra E-277 Turrax

1 m H2O PT

LT

OP

MPV

ER

LT

LG

HCL

CP

FB

P3e

pH

Alicat 1 Alicat 2

LGT

LS

LS

Vent

P3b TG

RCC

P-7

P1

P2

N2

B3

P6a

MFM

N2

MEG/ Water Phase

Cooling water out

CT MDEA/KOH

B2 PT

Cooling water in

N2

1 m H2O

Brine water Make up

1 m H2O

RV

Condensate Phase

Make up Condensate

ER

LS

CO2

pH

MFM

pH

pH

P3

Oxygen Scavenger

1 m H2O PT

P4

P3c

Rich MEG Heater

Scale Inhibitor

N2

TPS

P3d

Cooling water out

P6

CO TG

LS

CP

Produced water

Cooling water out

PT

RD

Waste Tank

TT

D1

Suction/ discharge controller

Cooling water in

Residue pump P-10

MFM

RGT

LG

PDI

N2

Vent N2 sparging

Colling water in

OP

Woulff bottle

Cooling water In

LT

Vent

F-3

Total vacuum solution

RC

P6

Control panel

MFM

MFM

Vent

P5

P3f

LS

DC

F-1

MFM PT

P-8 F-2

MFM Hex

P-9

RB T

OPCPpH

Oil bath

Cooling water Out

V-375

OP CP pH

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Figure 1. MEG pilot plant schematic. A better understanding of the MEG closed-loop processes and their consequences on the process units is essential to flow assurance and process and will give engineers a better understanding of MEG plant operations at various conditions, such as during the field cleanup stage. The pilot plant bridges the gap between individual laboratory-scale tests and a comprehensive testing practice correlated to field conditions. The facility is designed to simulate specific production fluids that represent industrial-scale MEG systems, such as condensate, drilling mud, brines and formation water. Also, the facility has the capability to simulate condensate carryover from a three-phase separator (TPS) to a MEG pretreatment 4 ACS Paragon Plus Environment

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vessel (MPV), optimizing salt removal and performing production chemical additive compatibility. The use of MEG in wellheads and gas pipelines as a hydrate formation suppressor has been well established in recent years. The lean MEG, typically with a concentration of 80 to 95 % MEG15,16, is injected at the wellhead and then enriched with the produced/formation fluids and soluble salts as it travels through the production pipeline. Also, scale inhibitors, pH stabilizers (such as NaOH/KOH or Methyl Di-Ethanolamine (MDEA)), and film forming corrosion inhibitor (FFCI)) are commonly injected in the pipeline.17 For the initial startup, with potential for back production of completion fluids, or during formation water breakthrough, the corrosion inhibitor strategy of FFCI is selected, reducing the risk of scale formation.11,16,18 Water, completion fluids, inhibitors, and salts are then separated from the rich MEG by regeneration and reclamation to produce lean MEG for re-injection. MEG regeneration is the process whereby only water is evaporated, and MEG is discharged as a liquid.19 The downside of this configuration is that any chemicals or salts are carried out with the lean MEG. These chemicals/salts may deposit and result in accelerating equipment corrosion, reducing the heat transfer rate (because of fouling of salts on heat exchanger surfaces) and polluting MEG over time.1 The reclamation is a configuration of evaporating both water and MEG, whereby salts and chemicals are separated.20 Depending on the contamination amount and the allowable salt level in the MEG to be injected, reclamation can be run either in continuous (full reclamation) or partial slip-stream modes.21 In this study, the slip-stream mode is selected and is used widely in different fields such as Ormen Lange, Norway (Norske Shell), and Snøhvit, Norway (Statoil).9,22 The processed lean MEG is then sent back to the well head by designated lines for reinjection. Although continuous MEG recycling (injection/regeneration) is the most reliable and cost-effective solution for hydrate management, recycling is a complex process comprising various physical and chemical 5 ACS Paragon Plus Environment

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processes. The degree of complexity in a closed-loop MEG regeneration system is significant, because of the presence of various chemical additives and salts. The combined effect of these components (especially drilling mud and salts) has led to a number of issues that have contributed to shutdowns, resulting in loss of production.12,21 Some of these issues are summarized below. •

Hydrocarbon carry-over along rich MEG to the regenerator, causing damage to column internals and packings.1



High level of soluble salts in the rich MEG, causing severe fouling of regenerator column and heat exchangers.15



Scale formation on hot surfaces of the glycol reboiler, which leads to the formation of hot spots, resulting in MEG losses because of thermal degradation.10



Foaming and emulsion tendencies because of condensate carryover23 and the improper selection of non-compatible chemicals in the case of corrosion inhibitors, pH stabilizers, oxygen scavengers, and scale inhibitors.11



Collapse of packing in the distillation column (DC) caused by entrainment of a high quantity of condensate in rich MEG and the occurrence of various scale depositions (accelerated by the returning lost mud fluid from the reservoir) such as Calcium Sulfates, Barite (BaSO4), Halite (NaCl), or Calcite (CaCO3).12,24 These interactions do have some effect on the purity of the final MEG product function

and, therefore, its hydrate inhibition performance. The need to understand the mechanism driving these interactions and their effects on hydrate inhibition has become critical to solving the operational challenges encountered during operating service. Models have been developed to simulate the depression of hydrate equilibrium points by increasing the MEG concentrations from a simple correlation25,26 to thermodynamic models.8 Most of the thermodynamic models can simulate the hydrate depression to high accuracy, but no

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published thermodynamic models are capable of predicting hydrate depression and equilibrium data with high accuracy for regenerated/reclaimed MEG (with different incoming solutions). This is because the fluid phase equilibrium models cannot precisely evaluate the interactions between regenerated MEG components (MEG/salts/organic acids) and water, leading to inaccurate predictions of water fugacity/activity in the aqueous phase.27 At each equilibrium point, a hydrate will form if the fugacity of water in a hydrate lattice is lower Aq

than the fugacity of water (𝑓w ) in liquid state, as per below equation:28 𝑓𝑤𝐴𝑞 = 𝑥𝑤𝐴𝑞 𝛾𝑤𝐴𝑞 𝑓𝑤𝑜

(1)

Where, 𝑥𝑤𝐴𝑞 is the mole fraction of water in the aqueous phase, 𝑓𝑤𝑜 the fugacity of pure water, and 𝛾𝑤𝐴𝑞 is the activity coefficient of water in the aqueous phase.28 For contaminated water (in the presence of regenerated MEG), the pure water fugacity will be affected by the fugacity of the water/liquid and water/vapor phases, leading to the inaccurate prediction of hydrate equilibrium points, as per the below equation:3 𝑓wH = 𝑓𝑤𝑉 = 𝑓𝑤𝐿

(2)

Where 𝑓wH is fugacity of water/hydrate, 𝑓𝑤𝑉 is fugacity of water/vapor, and 𝑓𝑤𝐿 is fugacity of water/liquid phase. A lack of phase equilibrium data therefore exists for regenerated MEG solutions exposed to different operating solutions. This information is provided here by obtaining hydrate equilibrium points and regression functions for systems of natural gas inhibited by different scenarios of regenerated MEG. The right prediction of the hydrate equilibrium locus of natural gas with various solutions from the MEG regeneration and reclamation significantly enhances the provision of answers to the operator’s concerns, and provides proper input for calculating the quantity of MEG required to shift the hydrate stability region outside the operating condition range.29

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During well drilling, a drilling mud is used to accommodate various functions, such as carrying away cuttings from the well, controlling formation pressure by providing a seal-off, controlling hydrostatic pressure to prevent a kick or blowout, minimizing formation damage, and facilitating cementing and completion.30 The use of Oil-based drilling muds is common in deep formation drilling to overcome high pressure and high temperature conditions.31,32 Oil-based drilling muds have many favorable characteristics, such as better thermal stability, and inherent protection against acid gasses (e.g. CO2 and H2S) and corrosion; they also improve lubricity and reduce the stuck pipe problems.33,34 In addition, oil-based drilling mud prepared with brine also helps to reduce the risk of gas hydrates formation.35 The MEG pilot plant was used to simulate six MEG scenarios of fluids coming from the field during start-up/clean up phase (containing completion fluids and drilling muds; refer to Section 2.3). In particular, the focus of this study was to compare the hydrate inhibition performance of final MEG products obtained from different scenario runs collected from the reboiler and reclaimer output of the MEG pilot plant. The oil-based drilling muds and well completion fluids contain high concentrations of divalent-monovalent ions, particulates, and various production chemicals, which can result in various system upsets in the MEG regeneration plant. This work has analyzed the partitioning of the drilling muds into condensate and MEG phases. It has also investigated the effectiveness of demulsifiers to break emulsions. Demulsifiers are generally formulated with surfactants, flocculants, wetting agents, and solvents such as benzene, toluene, xylene, short chain alcohols, and heavy aromatic naphtha.36 Demulsifiers work by neutralizing the effect of emulsifying agents that stabilize emulsions. They are surface active components that enhance water droplet coalescence, migrating to the interface to accelerate emulsion separation. Demulsifier effectiveness depends on pH, salt content, and temperature.36,37 A demulsifier is

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a complex chemical and wide varieties are available; it is vital to select the right one for the process.38 General information about MEG regeneration and reclamation can be found in the literature. Most of the flow assurance reported research related to MEG plants is focused on scale1,12,39-41 and corrosion.11,39,42-44 It appears from the literature that research knowledge of regenerated/reclaimed MEG kinetics performance on natural gas hydrate is currently limited, especially the study of MEG regenerated from the start-up/clean-up phase of a gas field. It has therefore been our goal to evaluate the natural gas hydrate equilibrium depression of different MEG samples collected from the reboiler and reclaimer outlets from different scenarios. This has assisted in the calculation and adjustment of the MEG dosing amount to prevent hydrate formation. The first part of this paper presents the MEG regeneration and reclamation for six scenarios, while the second part analyzes the effect of final MEG products collected from reboiler/reclaimer outlets in different scenario runs on gas hydrate inhibition performance.

2. METHODOLOGY

2.1 MEG Pilot Plant Drilling mud is supplied by M-I SWACO (a Schlumberger company). It is an oil-based drilling mud that contains a large amount of calcium in terms of an internal calcium chloride brine phase plus calcium carbonate and calcium hydroxide solids acting as weighting and bridging agents. The suspension fluid is a NaCl/KCl MEG-water brine (80/20 MEG/water brine). The gravel pack carrier fluid contains acetic acid, caustic soda, NaCl, KCl, NaBr, and some other components. The drilling mud is well stirred for five minutes (using an Ultraturrax model homogenizer at 1000 rpm) before dosing to a feed-blender. Demulsifier and

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oxygen scavenger supplied by Baker Hughes. Methyl diethanolamine (MDEA) (obtained from Sigma-Aldrich Co. LLC with a purity of ≥ 99 mol %), condensate fluid used was IsoparTM M (distillates (Petroleum), hydrotreated light) by ExxonMobil Chemical, CO2 (purity 99.9 mol%, supplied by BOC Company, Australia) and N2 generated by Nitrogen generator (Atlas Copco, model NGP 10+ and filtered by Donaldson ultra filter system with purity of ≥ 99.9 mol %). Laboratory analyses to measure ionic concentrations were performed using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES) (Perkin Elmer Optima 8300), and organic acids were measured using Ion Chromatography (IC) (Metrohm 930 compact IC).45,46 On-line measurements of temperature, electrical conductivity (EC), pH, and dissolved oxygen were obtained from the Programmable Logic Control (PLC) system that synchronized the data from the M800 PROCESS transmitter system (by Mettler-Toledo Company). Furthermore, the pH and EC of the reboiler and reclaimer samples were measured using a Thermo Scientific Orion 5-Star pH/RDO/conductivity portable meter (accuracy ±0.002).45 pH readings were adjusted as per the work of AlHarooni, et al. methodology developed by Sandengen, et al.

47

45

utilizing the

. The salt-laden rich MEG composition used

for preparing the solutions of different scenarios (section 2.3) was prepared as per Table 1 below.

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Table 1. Salt-laden rich MEG compositiona Material

Amount

NaCl

1.6 wt %

KCl

0.5 wt %

Water

24.5 wt %

MEG

73.4 wt %

Oxygen Scavenger

25 ppm

MDEA

6.4 mmol/kg

Acetic Acid

60 ppm

a

Other salts component arises from the drilling mud.

2.2 Gas Hydrate Experiment A synthetic gas (with high methane content)48 representing typical real natural gas composition49-52 that will form structure II hydrate53 (preparation tolerance ± 2%, prepared by BOC Company, Australia) was used for the gas hydrate test ( Table 2). Nitrogen gas (purity = 99.99 mol %; obtained from BOC Company, Australia) was used for the purpose of purging. A refractometer (device type Atago PAL-91S)14 was used to measure the MEG concentration from the regeneration and reclamation outlet samples. Deionized water (obtained from a reverse osmosis system with an electrical resistivity of 18 MΩ·cm at 25 °C) was used to dilute the collected MEG samples from the regenerated/reclaimed MEG plant to 20 wt %. 7 mL (≈ 11 % volume of the cell) of the diluted samples injected into the sapphire cell. This MEG concentration was selected to represent the average solution concentrations inside the gas pipeline53 during field start-up with high water cut,54 as the lean MEG is diluted by the produced water to below 40%.18,50,55,56

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Table 2. Composition of the synthetic natural gas for the gas hydrate test Synthetic natural gas component

Mole percent

Methane

79.10%

Carbon Dioxide

2.50%

iso-Pentane

1.70%

n-Pentane

1.70%

iso-Butane

2%

n-Butane

2%

Propane

4%

Ethane

7%

Total

100%

2.3 Scenarios The following scenarios have been simulated in the MEG pilot plant using a 50:50 wt % ratio of rich MEG to condensate, rich MEG at 74.5 wt % concentrations, and the assumption that sand/fines are negligible: •

A: Rich MEG + drilling mud (no brine, and no condensate).



B: Salt-laden rich MEG + drilling mud (0.6 wt %) (no condensate)



C: Salt-laden rich MEG + drilling mud (0.6 wt %) + condensate.



D: Salt-laden rich MEG + drilling mud (1.2 wt %) + condensate.



E: Salt-laden rich MEG + drilling mud (0.6 wt %) + condensate + demulsifier (at 1000 and 2000 ppm).



F: Salt-laden rich MEG + drilling mud (1.2 wt %) + condensate + demulsifier (at 2000 ppm). 12 ACS Paragon Plus Environment

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The salt-laden rich MEG solution used in the above scenarios was prepared according to the rich MEG composition presented in Table 1. Each scenario run was performed twice (except scenario A, which was only performed once) to observe results repeatability.

2.4 MEG pilot plant operating philosophy The closed-loop MEG regeneration pilot plant (Figure 1) is controlled by a PLC system comprising three operational areas: pre-treatment (with feed blending), regeneration, and reclamation.39,40 For the purpose of simulating a typical field rich MEG clean-up phase (section 2.3), the salt-loaded rich MEG was premixed and put in the brine tank (BT). A glass vessel acting as a TPS was placed between the feed blender and the MPV. The rich MEG taken from the TPS represents the composition of the rich MEG leaving the primary liquid/liquid separator, both in terms of condensate content and emulsion (Figure 9 and Figure 10). Thus, in these experiments; the BT was utilized as a salt-loaded rich MEG feed, the condensate tank (CT), feed blender (FB), and TPS vessels to create a defined condensate carry-under into the MPV, and the rich glycol tank (RGT) and filters for particle precipitation and separation. The distillation column (DC) (fitted with two sections, one meter each of three-inch diameter of structural packing DN 800 with 5 KW electrical reboiler at the bottom)14 was used to concentrate the rich MEG to lean MEG, and the reclaimer (20 L HEIDOLPH) to remove dissolved salts. The FB is a 15 L stainless steel 316 vertical cylindrical vessel, installed with a shear stress mixer (which can go up to 7000 rpm) to form a homogenized emulsion. The TPS is a 20 L vertical glass vessel that acts as the stabilizer feed separator (to separate flashed gasses, liquid hydrocarbon, and rich MEG). The MPV is a 31 L stainless steel 316 vertical cylindrical vessel with a glass viewing strip (Figure 2).

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1 cm

Figure 2. MPV viewing strip. A rich MEG mixture was first prepared separately in the BT (100 L PVC Water/BT with floor-mounted Nitrogen sparge). For proper mixing, the drilling mud was mixed with the condensate and added to a separate feed-vessel, which was agitated using a magnetic stirrer to keep the solids in suspension. Solutions from BT, the drilling mud feed vessel, and the CT (31 L stainless steel 316 horizontal cylindrical vessel) were routed to the FB. The solution of the FB was sheared at 5000 rpm and then routed to the TPS, prior to entering the MPV. The solution is sheared to replicate the agitation caused by different parameters such as pressure drop in the process, wellhead valves, mechanical chokes/orifice plates (for flow restriction and flow measurement), two-phase (gas/liquid) flow in trunk lines/separators, changing flow regimes, and pumping.38 All the vessels in the pilot plant were run at 100 kPa pressure and the CO2 content of the sparging gasses was, therefore, adjusted to provide the correct amount of dissolved CO2 in the various vessels. Mass flow pumps were controlled by PLC via feedback from mass flow meters to ensure accurate mass ratios in the feed. The drilling mud/condensate solution was pumped at a constant flow rate of 5 kg/hour to the feedblending vessel, and all other mass flows were adjusted accordingly. To maintain a 50:50 wt % ratio, the total feed into the feed blender was maintained at around 10 kg/hour. From the FB, the solution was transferred to the TPS. The rich MEG was then pumped from the bottom 14 ACS Paragon Plus Environment

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of the TPS into the MPV at a flow rate of 4 to 6 kg/hour, while the condensate was pumped from the condensate phase, and filtered and stored in the CT. The rich MEG alkalinity (i.e. ability to absorb protons)57 was increased by adding 1 mol/L (80 ml/h) NaOH58 solution via a dosing pump, with the aim of forcing precipitation of scale forming salts in the MPV to protect the downstream regeneration equipment. Equations (3-4)59-61 below shows that water in contact with carbon dioxide (CO2) produce carbonic acid (H2CO3) and pH is lowered (pH ≈ 4.2).62-64 CO2 (g)

CO2 (aq)

CO2 (aq) + H2O (l)

(3) H+ + HCO3-

H2CO3

(4)

Adding alkalinity (NaOH) until the pH of 9.6 shifts the reaction to the right thus promote calcium carbonate precipitation65 as per below equations (5 and 6)40,41: Ca2+ (aq) + HCO3- (aq) + OH- (aq) Ca2+ (aq) + CO2 (aq) + 2OH- (aq)

CaCO3 (s) + H2O CaCO3 (s) + H2O

(5) (6)

The best way to remove scale-forming salts and clean the solution is to increase the temperature and allow sufficient residence time.57 On the other hand, reducing the alkalinity downstream of the MPV is essential, as high alkalinity increases the risk of calcium and iron carbonate precipitation in the process, injection points and pipeline, for example if formation water is produced.66 To achieve proper separation temperature, the rich MEG in the MPV was kept circulating through the rich MEG heat exchanger (RMH); once a temperature of 80 °C was reached, the rich MEG was pumped to the RGT via the temperature control valve. Once the RGT reached minimum fill height, the rich MEG was transferred to the reboiler by a pump through dual

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10-micron sock filters. Filters were used to help minimize foaming and sludge build-up in the reboiler.58,67 The reboiler temperature was set at 135 oC to provide the necessary heat for the DC to operate, and thus evaporate water and concentrate the MEG to around 90 wt %.17,57 The water vaporization process (MEG concentration) can be accelerated by increasing the reboiler operating temperature but may lead to MEG degradation.45,46,68 To minimise the required operating temperature the reboiler was operated at atmospheric pressure. Reboilers are rarely operated under vacuum in the field (except in some cases of full stream reclaimer), because of the added complexity and increasing the chance of air sucking from the atmosphere (from weak joints or leaks). Inducing oxygen to the MEG loop leads to MEG degradation.2 The vapor (boiled water with a small amount of MEG) from the DC enters the overhead reflux condenser (CO). The CO provides cooling/condensation via a counter-current flow using chilled water supplied by the water chiller, thus improving the water/glycol separation and so minimizing glycol loss.69,70 The condensed vapors then fall into the reflux drum (RD). The distillation system was operated at total reflux until a steady state was reached (after 1.3 hours). Once a steady state was achieved, the sump and feed pumps were started, to allow for continuous regeneration. Lean MEG concentration was monitored using the mass-flow meter density, the amount of produced water, and the refractometer. Once a sufficient amount of lean MEG was produced, the reclaimer was partially filled with lean MEG and operated at 100 mbar pressure, 30 RPM, and oil bath temperature set to 160 °C. The temperature of the wet vapor leaving the reclaimer sump was around 125 °C. Reclaimers are operated under a considerable vacuum to reduce the processing temperatures and the consequential risk of MEG degradation, which, if allowed to occur, leads to a hydrate inhibition performance drop,46 a sharp rise in MEG losses, and equipment fouling.58 Lean MEG was kept routed to the sump until salt crystallization was observed (Figure 14). 16 ACS Paragon Plus Environment

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Energy & Fuels

2.5 Gas Hydrate Experiment 2.5.1 Cryogenic Sapphire Cell Unit Gas hydrate equilibrium measurements were carried out in a transparent cryogenic sapphire cell unit71 (Figure 3), 60 cm3 volume, high operating pressure (maximum 500 bar), and a built-in variable speed magnetic stirrer (operated at 530 rpm) to agitate the solution for effective mixing. This will accelerate the rate of mass transfer and reduce the time needed to reach equilibrium.72,73 The cell chamber temperature (range +60 to -160 oC) was controlled using an electric heater and refrigeration system, enhanced with a supply of chilled water. The temperature of the gas phase and the liquid phase were respectively measured via platinum resistance thermometers (PT100 sensor with three core Teflon tails, model TC02 SD145, accuracy of ±0.03 °C). Sapphire cell pressure was measured with a pressure transducer (model WIKA S-10; accuracy of ±0.5 bar). The schematic diagram and full unit details have been described elsewhere.45,46,74

1.6 cm

Figure 3. Hydrate Formation. 2.5.2 Hydrate Equilibrium Detection Method Hydrate equilibrium (dissociation) points were detected by analyzing pressure versus temperature trends using an isochoric method (temperature search method).72,73,75-77 An

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isochoric method was conducted by pressurizing the cell to the required pressure, closing the inlet valve to keep the volume constant while the temperature was varied.72,75,78 Experiments were conducted by first injecting 7 mL of test solution, pressurizing the cell with natural gas to the required pressure (i.e. 65, 85, 105 and 125 bar), setting the initial temperature at a value outside hydrate formation point (by around 8 oC), and then closing the inlet valve (to keep the volume constant). The cell was cooled to a high sub-cooling temperature and then monitored for hydrate formation72. Once hydrate was formed, cooling was maintained until around 60% of the solution had converted to hydrate. The hydrate formation point was identified both by visual observation and by a sudden drop in pressure (caused by gas consumption, as the gas is enclathrated into the hydrate lattice)77. The cell was heated slowly in steps of (≈ 0.5 oC/30 minutes)72,75,77,79 to allow adequate time to achieve a steady equilibrium state. Once hydrate started to dissociate, heating was continued until most of the hydrate was dissociated, which was observed visually72. The hydrate dissociation point is considered as the thermodynamic equilibrium point, because of its accurate repeatability, while the hydrate formation point is influenced by many factors, such as degree of subcooling, rate of cooling, memory effect, purity of solution, etc.72 The hydrate equilibrium point was identified from the pressure versus temperature trends for each experimental run. The pressure variation with temperature change and time were synchronized at an interval of 12 points/second to a computer using Texmate Meter-Viewer software. The hydrate equilibrium point (●) is identified as the intersection of the hydrate dissociation curve (Δ) with the cooling curve (□), as illustrated in Figure 4 and by Sloan and Koh

80

. The

intersection (equilibrium) point is also found to be coincident with visual observation of hydrate dissociation points within an average error deviation of ±1.01%.

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8400 105

Equlibrium point of Case C2 Reclaimer solution

12:18 18:40

8300 104 11:54 16:40

103 8200 Cooling P-T cycle

11:29 14:40

Equlibrium point 102 8100

Temperature-Time cooling cycle

Time (hh:mm)

Dissocciation P-T cycle

Pressure (bar)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

Energy & Fuels

Temperature-Time heating cycle 11:05 12:40 101 8000

100 7900

11 9.5

10.5 12

13 11.5

12.5 14

13.5 15

14.5 16

15.5 17

18 16.5

10:40 10:40 19 17.5

Temperature (oC)

Figure 4. An example of an isochoric temperature search method used for identifying the equilibrium point of reclaimed solution of scenario C2. The accuracy of the equilibrium-generated data was evaluated by repeating the 20 wt % fresh MEG and the 100 wt % deionized water experiments three times; the repeated experiments showed a high accuracy, with a maximum experimental error of 1.65% and standard deviation (SD) of ± 0.19. Hydrate equilibrium points were generated using the highly-recommended equation of state by Peng-Robinson (PR)28,81 (Aspen HYSYS (version 8.6) and Multiflash (version 3.6) software). Both software demonstrated a high level of agreement with the experimental results. Aspen HYSYS predicted results with an average temperature deviation of ± 0.65 oC while Multiflash predicted results with an average temperature deviation of ± 0.44o C. Equilibrium data in the literature showed higher deviation from this work than the software, as referenced in Figure 5. This is primarily because the literature used a slightly different natural gas composition. The equilibrium data of Smith, et al. 82, who used almost the same gas composition as in our work, showed excellent matching results, with an average temperature deviation of only ± 0.28 oC. For a clear comparison, 19 ACS Paragon Plus Environment

Energy & Fuels

Figure 5, plotted using a semi-logarithmic scale to illustrate data consistency, as the logarithm of the hydrate equilibrium locus (pressure versus temperature), has approximately liner behavior.27 300

140

Pressure (bar)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

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120 100 80 60 50 40 30

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15 13 11 Temperature (oC)

17

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23

This work 20 wt% fresh MEG with NG (79.1 mole% Methane, Table 3) This work 100 wt% DI water with NG (79.1 mole% Methane, Table 3) This work: 20% MEG of Case B1 Reboiler with NG (79.1 mole% Methane, Table 3) This work: 20% MEG of Case B1 Reclaimer with NG (79.1 mole% Methane, Table 3) PR EOS (Hysys): 20 % MEG with NG (79.1 mole% Methane, Table 3) PR EOS (Multiflash): 20 % MEG with NG (79.1 mole% Methane, Table 3) PR EOS (Multiflash): 100 % Water with NG (79.1 mole% Methane, Table 3) Haghighi, et al.,(2009): 20 wt% MEG with NG (88.2 mole% Methane) Hemmingsen, et al.,(2011): 20% MEG with NG (88 mol% methane) Lee, et al.,(2011): 20 wt% MEG with NG (89.8 mole% Methane) Lee, et al.,(2011): 3.5 wt% NaCl and 23 wt% MEG with NG (89.8 mole% Methane) Chapoy, et al.,(2012): 5 wt% NaCl and 23 wt% MEG with NG (88 mole% Methane) Smith, et al.,(2016): 100 wt% Water with NG (79.1 mole% Methane)

60

Figure 5. Equilibrium curve of natural gas with 20 wt % solution of scenario B1 (salt-laden rich MEG + drilling mud (no condensate)), literature data added for comparison. 8,28,49,82,83 40

3

Results and Discussion

20

3.1 MEG Pilot Plant 0 3 23 Pretreatment 3.1.1

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Energy & Fuels

The pretreatment section was run at atmospheric pressure and the CO2/N2 sparge gas concentration was adjusted using a mass flow controller (Alicat, MCS series by Alicate scientific, USA), to 6.2 mol % (of CO2 in N2) for FB, 5.8 mol % for TPS, and 3.5 mol % for MPV, to replicate field conditions. This section is designed to remove drilling mud, condensate, and low soluble/divalent salts and minerals.84 Divalent-monovalent cation concentrations for each MEG pilot plant scenario run are illustrated in Figure 6, Figure 7, and Figure 8 for BT, TPS, and MPV respectively. The divalent-monovalent cation concentrations of BT are for the MEG solution prior to mixing with drilling mud, while for TPS they are from after the FB, where all incoming fluids are blended using a stress mixer at 5000 rpm. The MPV is injected with NaOH and purged with CO2 to precipitate divalent cations in the solution, such as Ca2+. It can be seen clearly from Figures 7 and 8 that almost 74% of the Ca2+ has been precipitated in the MPV. To maximize removal of Ca2+ and other divalent ions, adjustment to a sufficient injection rate of NaOH is required. Removing divalent cations in the pretreatment section is vital, as recycling them in the MEG loop may lead to scaling, not only in the MEG plant but also downstream, at the MEG injection points situated at the wellheads and pipelines.39,41 In terms of total cations movement from TPS to MPV, scenario runs of C1, D1, C2, F1, and B1 showed cations were migrated from TPS to the MPV (MEG outlet) by 47%, 23%, 11%, 0.6%, and 0.5% respectively. On the other hand, less cations migrated from TPS to MPV for scenario runs of F2, D2, E2, E1, and B2 by 8%, 8%, 2.2%, 0.9%, and 0.4% respectively (Figure 7 and Figure 8). It was observed during the operation that the dissolved oxygen level kept fluctuating, indicating that dissolved oxygen was not fully replaced by the sparging gas mixtures concentration (CO2/N2) and not fully captured by the oxygen scavenger. Dissolved oxygen concentration must be maintained or kept below the detrimental level of 20 ppb.85 21 ACS Paragon Plus Environment

Energy & Fuels

8000

2.4 2.2

Cation Concentration (ppm)

2 6000

1.8

1.6

5000

1.4

4000

1.2 1

3000

0.8 2000

0.6 0.4

Cation Concentration (ppm)

7000

1000

0.2 00 1 Scenarios B1 Mg2+ 0.88 Fe2+ 0.226 Sr2+ 0.048 Ba2+ 0.555 Na+ 6304 K+ 2719 Ca2+ 10.5 9035 ∑

2 B2 0.652 0.105 0.04 0.337 7455 3022 8.3 10486

3 C1 0.764 0.139 0.044 0.366 7796 3123 9.9 10930

4 C2 0.59 0.192 0.06 2.386 6429 2612 9.9 9054

5 D1 1.076 0.166 0.043 0.314 7624 3075 8.4 10709

6 E1 1.281 0.803 0 0.358 6963 2834 8.885 9808

7 E2 1.091 0 0 0.241 6294 2630 8.885 8934

8 F1 0.984 0 0 1.418 6891 2872 7.859 9773

F29 0.956 0 0 1.165 5998 2485 10 8495

0

Figure 6. Brine Tank divalent-monovalent cation concentrations (ppm). Note: Na+, K+ and Ca2+ follow right-hand axis. 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000 3000 2000 1000 1 B1 0.864 0.224 0.148 1.77 7392 2939 46 10380

2 B2 1.671 0.313 0.402 5.51 7358 3018 178 10562

3 C1 2.622 1.438 0.551 24.6 4857 1938 178 7002

4 C2 1.452 0.327 0.377 4.52 7467 3044 181 10699

5 D1 2.656 1.543 0.527 26.3 6752 2714 176 9673

6 D2 3.328 2.028 0.965 31.9 5221 2148 442 7849

7 E1 1.551 0.046 0.143 0.41 6927 2828 170.9 9928

8 E2 1.023 0 0.099 0.269 6813 2850 176.6 9841

9 F1 1.074 0.063 0.226 0.759 6604 2752 397.2 9755

10 F2 1.199 0 0.089 0.58 6634 2732 495 9863

Cation Concentration (ppm)

34 32 30 28 26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 0 Scenarios Mg2+ Fe2+ Sr2+ Ba2+ Na+ K+ Ca2+ ∑

Cation Concentration (ppm)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

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2

9000

1.8

8000

1.6

7000

1.4

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1.2

5000

1 4000

0.8

3000

0.6 0.4

2000

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1000

0 1 Scenarios B1 Mg2+ 0.009 Fe2+ 0.232 Sr2+ 0.069 Ba2+ 0.842 Na+ 7943 K+ 2462 Ca2+ 23 10429 ∑

2 B2 0 0.177 0.137 2.057 7567 2925 29 10523

3 C1 0 0.421 0.042 0.695 7617 2665 5.4 10289

4 C2 0 0.538 0.017 0.604 9196 2659 5.4 11862

5 D1 1.32 0.223 0.117 1.426 8519 3346 52 11920

6 D2 0 0.218 0.227 1.506 5149 2000 72 7223

7 E1 0.804 0.0495 0 0.338 7071 2746 16.768 9835

8 E2 0.314 0 0 0.332 6858 2748 16 9623

9 F1 0.912 0 0.073 0.447 6702 2788 326 9817

10 F2 0.433 0 0 0.364 6374 2510 190 9075

Cation Concentration (ppm)

Figure 7. Three phase separator divalent-monovalent cation concentrations (ppm). Note: Na+, K+ and Ca2+ follow right-hand axis.

Cation Concentration (ppm)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

Energy & Fuels

0

Figure 8. MEG Pre-treatment Vessel divalent-monovalent cation concentrations (ppm) at MEG outlet. Note: Na+, K+, and Ca2+ follow right-hand axis. A base scenario, of clean fluid (rich MEG + condensate) without drilling mud, showed good separation in the TPS, and a clear white emulsion was formed at the interface level with clear MEG/condensate phases (Figure 9). However, solutions with drilling mud and without demulsifier did not undergo full emulsion separation (scenarios A-D). Drilling mud increases emulsion formation, leading to condensate carryover into the MPV (Figure 2 and Figure 10). The rich MEG and condensate phases remained cloudy, demonstrating that the drilling mud had no clear tendency to partition either in the condensate or the MEG phase. Adding a demulsifier led to faster emulsion breakdown in the TPS, and reduction in the drilling mud carry-over to the MPV. The addition of 2000 ppm demulsifier (scenarios E and F) resulted in a clear condensate phase, pushing the drilling mud to the interface portion. The addition of

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Page 24 of 49

1000 ppm demulsifier resulted in the same performance as the 2000 ppm, but with around 35% less drilling mud pushed to the interface portion. The rich MEG phase from the MPV was circulated to the heat exchanger set at 80 °C to accelerate chemical precipitate of divalent ions.86 A high temperature increases the thermal energy of the droplets, which enhances drop collisions and settling rates. It also reduces the interfacial viscosity and increases MEG/condensate emulsion separation.37,87 The dual effect of temperature and demulsifier resulted in a better separation. The rich MEG leaving the MPV was clear, indicating that a high volume of the drilling mud stayed in the MPV, having accumulated in the interface portion (Figure 2)

Figure 9. TPS: Base scenario: clean fluid.

Figure 10. TPS: with drilling mud.

3.1.2 Regeneration The solution leaving the MPV towards the RGT was found to be almost free from hydrocarbon (condensate). This means the pre-treatment section was well designed and operated to accommodate and separate the incoming condensate.13 Contamination of drilling mud was found in the RGT, indicating that mud did not take full separation during the pre24 ACS Paragon Plus Environment

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Energy & Fuels

treatment section. Traces of mud are further separated before routing to the reboiler, using a 10-micron filter. The reboiler housing was made from glass, for visual observation, and, during the operation, no scaling was observed on the reboiler heating elements. It was, however, observed that the rich MEG in the reboiler became turbid when the temperature exceeded 80 °C (Figure 11). As the reboiler was operated at 135 °C and for short periods (≈ 4 hours), there might not have been sufficient time to develop a visible scale layer on the heating elements. However, from Table 3 it can be noted that calcium is precipitating out in the regeneration system as the amount of dissolved calcium ions was reduced during MEG regeneration (the exception being scenario F2). In general, caution should be taken when operating at high temperature, as it have some negative effects, such as increasing the operation cost, scale deposition and corrosion rate.37 Table 3. Ca2+ concentration and % precipitated before and after reboiler Scenario B Runs

Scenario C

Scenario D

Scenario E

Scenario F

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

1

2

Ca2+ concentration in feed to RB (ppm)

17

24

8.3

6.6

44

99

63

84

306

167

Ca2+ concentration after RB (ppm) (in LGT)

5.8

19.8

2.9

3.5

2.3

63

3.9

67

302

176

Ca2+ Precipitating %

65.9

17.5 65.1

20.2

1.3

0

47.0 94.8

36.4 93.8

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Page 26 of 49

After operation

Figure 11. Reboiler vessel during and after operation of scenario E. Analysis of the divalent cation concentrations (Figure 12) of the rich MEG in the RGT showed that Ca2+ ion concentrations varied between 7 to 300 ppm, corresponding to a removal rate of 23-95% (comparing to TPS divalent ion concentrations). Also, comparing the divalent cation concentrations (Figure 13) of the MEG solution in the LGT with RGT shows that Ca2+ ion concentrations vary between 2 and 300 ppm, corresponding to a removal rate of 18-99 ppm % (except for scenario F2). The pH value of the lean MEG was observed to increase to values around 11.3 (Figure 18). A pH value of 7.0 to 8.5 is recommended to prevent corrosion/scale formation in a plant.42 When comparing the alkalinity values of the feed MEG and lean MEG (Figure 18), the increase in pH can be explained by; the transformation of bicarbonate to carbonate when the dissolved CO2 boils off in the DC and by the reduction (separation) of condensate. The relationship between dissolved CO2 and pH for 80 wt % MEG solutions with 50 mmol/L alkalinity has been presented elsewhere, by Seiersten and Dugstad

88

. After a steady state of 1.6 hours of reboiler operation, solution

samples were collected for laboratory analysis and gas hydrate experiments.

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1.0 8000 7000

0.8 0.7

6000

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5000

0.5

4000

0.4

3000

0.3 2000

0.2

Cation Concentration (ppm)

Cation Concentration (ppm)

0.9

1000

0.1 0.0 1 Scenarios B1 Mg2+ 0.000 Fe2+ 0.794 Sr2+ 0.064 Ba2+ 0.392 Na+ 7855 K+ 2645 Ca2+ 17.0 10518 ∑

2 B2 0.000 0.236 0.109 0.999 7442 2852 24.0 10319

3 C1 0.000 0.250 0.024 0.695 7779 2623 8.3 10411

4 C2 0.000 0.412 0.023 0.531 8421 2442 6.6 10871

5 D1 0.000 0.155 0.089 0.446 7685 3001 44.0 10731

6 D2 0.000 0.127 0.237 0.615 6695 2645 99.0 9440

7 E1 0.873 0.304 0.012 0.469 6765 2828 62.5 9657

8 E2 0.764 0.000 0.010 0.365 7149 2847 84.6 10082

9 F1 0.668 0.000 0.047 0.405 6760 2738 306.0 9805

0

10 F2 0.424 0.000 0.000 0.337 6546 2608 167.0 9322

Figure 12. Rich Glycol Tank divalent-monovalent cation concentrations (ppm). Note: Na+, K+, and Ca2+ follow right-hand axis. 3.4 3.2 3.0 2.8 2.6 2.4 2.2 2.0 1.8 1.6 1.4 1.2 1.0 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0.0 Scenarios Mg2+ Fe2+ Sr2+ Ba2+ Na+ K+ Ca2+ ∑

9000 8000 7000 6000 5000 4000

3000 2000 1000 1 B1 0.01 3.43 0.046 0.778 8974 2941 8.3 11928

2 B2 0.01 0.26 0.044 0.452 8281 3121 19.8 11423

3 C1 0.01 0.35 0.011 0.504 8744 3090 3.5 11838

4 C2 0.01 0.45 0.013 0.367 8804 2715 3.5 11523

5 D1 0.00 0.43 0.024 0.295 7243 2813 2.4 10059

6 D2 0.00 0.43 0.189 0.402 6770 2643 63.0 9477

7 E1 0.23 0.35 0.010 0.273 8021 2909 3.9 10935

8 E2 0.58 0.01 0.010 0.326 7314 2983 68.0 10366

9 F1 0.86 0.01 0.040 0.344 7074 2911 302.0 10288

10 F2 0.22 0.01 0.010 0.326 7052 2810 176.0 10039

Cation Concentration (ppm)

Cation Concentration (ppm)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

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0

Figure 13. Lean Glycol Tank divalent-monovalent cation concentrations (ppm). Note: Na+, K+, and Ca2+ follow right-hand axis. 27 ACS Paragon Plus Environment

Energy & Fuels

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3.1.3 Reclamation A slip stream reclamation concept was implemented (a semi-continuous mode) for all scenarios run. In this concept, water is first separated in the regeneration unit, then part of the re-concentrated MEG is routed to the reclaimer where high soluble salts of monovalent cations (NaCl and KCl) are removed, while some level of high soluble salts is tolerated (≈ 20 g/l).41,89 As can be seen from Figure 13, high quantity of the divalent cations were removed, while monovalent cations (Na+ and K+) still exist at high concentrations. This indicates that most of the low soluble salts (salts of divalent cations) were precipitated in the pretreatment section as required.41 As the reclamation was run in a semi-continuous mode, the fill height of the reclaimer evaporation flask was maintained by adding solution from the LGT automatically. Reclamation of the salty lean MEG precipitates out high soluble salts and accumulate in the bottom of the flask. The formed salt crystals are monovalent (NaCl and KCl). The vapour flowed overhead to the condenser and was pumped out as salt free lean MEG to the LGT.86 The experiment was ended when the evaporation flask contained a large amount of precipitated salts (Figure 14).

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Energy & Fuels

Scenario B

Scenario C

Scenario E

Scenario F

During experiments

End experiments

17.8 cm

Figure 14. Salts precipitated in the reclaimer. During reclamation, the first salt precipitation was observed when the lean MEG was concentrated by a factor of three, and the remaining water content in the slurry was as low as 7%. A significant portion of the monovalent ions was removed during reclamation (> 97%). Table 4 shows the monovalent- cations percentage precipitation in reclaimed MEG, for each scenario run. The liquid phase of the slurry in the reclaimer had viscosity values up to 50 mPa-s at 20 °C and up to 6 mPa-s at 75 °C; this high viscosity is because of the solution containing high salt-saturated MEG and the precipitated salts. Table 4. Reclaimer divalent-monovalent cations partition. Scenarios Precipitation %

B1

B2

C1

C2

D1

D2

98.5 97.1 99.2 99.9

98.6

97.9

E1

E2

F1

F2

98.8 98.9 97.1 99.9

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1.6 1.4

20000

1.2 15000

1.0 0.8

10000 0.6 0.4

5000

0.2 0.0 1 Scenarios B1 Mg2+ Fe2+ Sr2+ Ba2+ Na+ K+ Ca2+ ∑

0.000 0.628 0.288 0.006 132 44 1.0 177

2 B2 0.000 1.546 0.683 0.344 226 111 2.0 342

3 C1 0.000 0.082 0.406 0.007 74 22 2.5 99

4 C2 0.261 0.093 0.175 0.000 0.2 0 1.8 3

5 D1 0.000 0.194 0.290 0.005 100 36 1.1 138

6 D2 0.000 0.092 0.556 0.011 146 52 1.1 200

7 E1 0.160 0.054 0.204 0.000 95 36 4.5 136

8 E2 0.301 0.000 0.193 0.000 77 32 5.0 114

9 F1 0.332 0.000 0.210 0.000 180 120 191 491

10 F2 0.000 0.000 0.326 0.000 8 2 0.0 11

Cation Concentration (ppm)

Cation Concentration (ppm)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

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0

Figure 15. Reclaimer condensed side divalent-monovalent cation concentrations (ppm). Note: Na+, K+, and Ca2+ follow right-hand axis. Electrical conductivity (σ), which is the ability of a solution to carry an electric current,90 is a well-recognized measurement for evaluating salt concentrations in the MEG solution.45,91 Thus, electrical conductivities for scenarios were measured (Figure 16) and found to respond proportionally to the cations concentration. The electrical conductivity of scenario B2 showed the highest value (8620 μ S/cm), corresponding well to the high cation concentrations (15231 ppm), followed by scenario F1. Electrical conductivities increased dramatically as the solution moved from the reboiler to reclaimer condensed side, and then to the reclaimer slurry side (Figure 16). A big difference in electrical conductivity of the MEG solution at both reclaimer outlets gives a direct indication of high salt precipitation at the slurry side compared to condensed side. This gives a good indication of the salt extraction efficiency, and of the reclaimed MEG quality.

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2000

1000

0 1 2 3 Scenarios B1 B2 C1 9277 15231 8527 ∑ Cations at RC Slurry 342 99 ∑ Cations at RC condensed 177 5620 8620 5310 σ at RC Slurry 16.74 27.89 4.87 σ at RC condensed 6.59 4.43 6.5 σ at RB

4 C2 5760 3 3470 6.41 6.97

5 6 7 8 9 10 D1 D2 E1 E2 F1 F2 6165 10751 8447 7093 13451 5014 138 200 136 114 491 11 4262 5760 4255 4170 6780 3485 5.14 4.19 25.30 25.35 1706 7.38 5.59 4.55 5.86 5.25 5.43 5.56

0

Figure 16. Reclaimer (RC) condensed/slurry sides total divalent-monovalent cation concentrations (ppm) corresponding with electrical conductivities (μ S/cm) of reclaimer condensed outlet, reclaimer slurry outlet, and reboiler outlet. Note: total cation concentrations follow right-hand axis. Figure 17 illustrates the MEG concentration for all scenarios, measured at the outlets of BT (73.4 wt %), RGT, RB, and RC. It demonstrates the removal of water performance during MEG plant operation. It can be seen that MEG concentration of 73 wt % from the RGT was increased in reboiler to 87 wt % (scenario D2). MEG concentration is further increased in the reclaimer up to 91 wt % (scenario F1). The MEG solution samples from outlets of RB and RC were diluted with deionized water to 20 wt% and used for the gas hydrate experiments.

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Cation Concentration (ppm)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

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Electrical Conductivity ( μ S/cm) at 25.5 oC

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95% 90% 85% 80% 75%

MEG %

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

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70% 65%

Brine Tank Rich Glycol Tank Reboiler Reclaimer Reclaimer data Poly. (Richsmoothed Glycol Tank) Reboiler smoothed data Poly. (Reboiler) Rich Tank smoothed data Poly.Glycol (Reclaimer)

60% 55% 50% 45% 40% 0

A 1

B1 2

3B2

C1 4

C2 5

D1 6

D2 7

E1 8

E2 9

F1 10

F2 11

Scenarios

Figure 17. MEG wt % concentration.

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1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47

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Flow rate: 4.9 kg/h Temperature: 23.4 °C Density (ρ) = 0.77 kg/L

CT

Flow rate:4.5 kg/h TSS: 408 ppmv

FB Retention time = 1.53 h

BT

Flow rate: 4.9 kg/h Temperature: 23.6 °C Density (ρ) =1.11 kg/L Water wt% = 24.5 Drilling MUD = 1.2% MDEA (mmol/kg) = 6.4 Demulsifier (ppm) = 4000 Oxygen scavenger (ppm) = 25 MEG wt% = 74.3 Total cations: 8569 ppm

Flow rate: 4.7 kg/h Temperature: 25 °C Density (ρ) =1.06 kg/L O2:2911 ppm MEG wt%: 80.2 pH: 10.7 Total cations:10039 ppm

LGT Retention time = 4.04 h Density (ρ) =1.058 Kg/L Bath oil Temp: 170 °C Vaccum press: 100 mbar Rotation: 30 RPM Reclaimed lean MEG: 21.5 kg Glycolate: 0 mg/L Acetate: 2.5 mg/L Formate: 0.1 mg/L TSS: 4 ppmv TDS: 0.2 mg/ml pH: 9.61 [HCO3-] Alkalinity: 3.66 mmol/L [CO32-] Alkalinity: 0 mmol/L [OH-] Alkalinity: 0 mmol/L µs/cm: 7.38 Total cations: 11.01 ppm MEG wt%: 86.8

TPS Retention time = 0.33 h

MPV Retention time = 1.66 h

Flow rate: 9.8 kg/h TSS: 978 ppmv Shear rate:7000 rpm 21.7 µS/cm O2 :157 ppm (at gas phase)

32 kg/h 90 °C

Heater Produced water DC/RB Retention time = 1.56 h

RC

Slurry MEG Residue : 1.645 kg µs/cm: 5880 pH: 11.38

Flow rate: 4.67 kg/h Density (ρ) =1.058 Kg/L Reboiler Temp: 131 °C Outlet Temp: 93.3 °C Glycolate: 8 mg/L Acetate: 67 mg/L Formate: 6 mg/L TSS: 153 ppmv TDS: 33 mg/ml pH:10.1 [CO32-] Alkalinity: 1.945 mmol/L [OH-] Alkalinity: 6.085 mmol/L [HCO3-] Alkalinity 1.945 mmol/L µs/cm: 5.56 Total cations: 10039 ppm MEG wt%: 80.2 O2: 205 ppm

RGT Retention time = 3.8 h

Flow rate: 5.1 kg/h Density (ρ) = 1.09 Kg/L Temperature: 28.1 °C TSS: 85 ppmv TDS: 27.2 mg/ml pH: 7.23 [HCO3-] Alkalinity 9.985 mmol/L Viscosity at 20 °C: 8.62 mPas Total cations: 9863 ppm Glycolate: 4 mg/L Acetate: 53 mg/L Formate: 5 mg/L Flow rate: 5.1 kg/h Density (ρ) = 1.09 Kg/L Temperature: 80 °C Glycolate: 6 mg/L Acetate: 55 mg/L Formate: 5 mg/L TSS: 35.7 ppmv TDS: 24.7 mg/ml pH: 9.6 [CO32-] Alkalinity: 4.365 mmol/L [OH-] Alkalinity: 1.795 mmol/L Alkalinity 1 mol/L of NaOH: 80 ml/h µs/cm: 324 Viscosity at 75 °C: 1.79 mPas Total cations: 9075 ppm

Flow rate: 5.0 kg/h Density (ρ) =1.095 Kg/L Temperature: 29.7 °C TSS: 200 ppmv TDS: 23.9 mg/ml MEG wt%: 70.6 Viscosity at 20 °C: 8.62 mPas O2: 1338 ppm Total cations: 9322 ppm

Figure 18. Experimental data and operating conditions of scenario “F2”. Total operation time: 12.92 hours. 33 ACS Paragon Plus Environment

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3.2 Gas Hydrate Inhibition Test The gas hydrate equilibrium data of natural gas with 20 wt % from different MEG samples (collected from reboiler and reclaimer), compared to 20 wt % of fresh MEG and 100 wt % deionized water, are plotted in Figure 19 (a-i). The data fit correlates well with reboiler results (R2 > 0.99) and reclaimer results (R2 > 0.97). The hydrate depression temperature and the regression functions of the fitted data were reported in Table 5 and 7. For a given pressure, the hydrate depression value ( Td) was determined as below (equation (7)):  Td = Tequ (20 wt % MEG) - Tequ (100 wt % water)

(7)

Where Tequ (20 wt % MEG) is the hydrate equilibrium temperature measured at 20 wt % of MEG and Tequ (100 wt % water) is the hydrate equilibrium temperature measured at 100 wt % water. A

Pressure (bar)

higher negative “ Td” value corresponds to a higher depression (higher equilibrium shift). 130 120 110 100 90 80 70 60 50

20 wt% RB 20 wt% RC

7

9

11 13 15 17 Temperature ( C)

19

21

23

(a) Scenario A 130

130

20 wt% RB

120

20 wt% RB

120 20 wt% RC

110 Pressure (bar)

110 Pressure (bar)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

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100 90 80 70 60

100 90 80 70 60

50

50

7

9

11 13 15 Temperature ( C)

17

19

(b) Scenario B1

21

23

7

9

11

13 15 Temperature ( C)

17

19

21

23

(c) Scenario B2

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130

130

20 wt% RB

20 wt% RC

20 wt% RC

110 Pressure (bar)

110 Pressure (bar)

20 wt% RB

120

120

100 90 80 70

100 90 80

70 60

60

50

50 7

9

11 13 15 17 Temperature ( C)

19

21

7

23

9

11 13 15 17 Temperature ( C)

(d) Scenario C1 130

21

23

19

21

23

19

21

23

20 wt% RB

120 20 wt% RC

110

Pressure (bar)

Pressure (bar)

130

20 wt% RC

110

19

(e) Scenario C2

20 wt% RB

120

100 90 80 70 60

100 90 80 70 60

50

50

7

9

11 13 15 17 Temperature ( C)

19

21

23

7

9

11 13 15 17 Temperature ( C)

(f) Scenario E1

(g) Scenario E2 130

130

20 wt% RB

120

20 wt% RB

120

20 wt% RC

20 wt% RC

110

Pressure (bar)

110

Pressure (bar)

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100 90 80

70

100 90 80 70 60

60

50

50 7

9

11 13 15 17 Temperature ( C)

19

21

(h) Scenario F1

23

7

9

11 13 15 17 Temperature ( C)

(i) Scenario F2

Figure 19. Experimental equilibrium points of natural gas hydrates in the presence of different Reboiler (RB) and Reclaimer (RC) MEG solutions for different scenarios (section 2.3); solid curves represent best fit;

represent equilibrium conditions of 20 wt % fresh

MEG; represent equilibrium conditions of 100% deionized water The hydrate depression temperature of all samples collected from the reboiler outlet clearly showed a higher thermodynamic inhibition than fresh MEG (Table 5), i.e., it shifted more to the left side of the curve (lower temperature and higher pressure). Fresh MEG showed an 35 ACS Paragon Plus Environment

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average temperature depression of 6.13 oC. The highest average hydrate temperature depression was - 9.26 oC for solution E2, while the lowest measurement was - 6.78 oC for solution F1 (a higher negative depression value corresponds to a better inhibition). This is mainly because of the synergistic hydrate inhibition effect of the MEG with the salt components present in the reboiler solutions27 (Figure 13), as a solution containing salts reduces the ability of gas hydrate formation83 and so works as a gas hydrate inhibitor.3,27

Table 5. Experimental hydrate depression temperature for natural gas with 20 wt % of various MEG solutions from the reboiler outlet, and the regression functions (sorted from poorest to highest inhibitor) a Reboiler solution scenario

Regression functions

 Td

Fresh MEG

P = 7.7189 e0.18T

F1

Pressure (bar)

Average  Td

120

100

80

60

o

-6.73

-6.07

-5.60

-6.12

-6.13

P = 9.6097 e0.1721T

o

-7.30

-6.87

-6.40

-6.55

-6.78

A

P = 4.5446 e0.238T

o

-8.09

-7.40

-6.85

-6.20

-7.14

B1

P = 17.067 e0.1333T

o

-7.50

-7.00

-6.87

-7.80

-7.29

F2

P = 4.2793 e0.2481T

o

-8.42

-7.71

-7.03

-6.40

-7.39

E1

P = 5.1143 e0.2469T

o

-9.18

-8.29

-7.52

-7.42

-8.10

C1

P = 5.4573 e0.2488T

o

-9.52

-8.66

-7.97

-7.56

-8.43

B2

P = 12.543 e0.176T

o

-8.98

-8.67

-8.35

-8.10

-8.53

C2

P = 2.4954 e0.3237T

o

-10.03 -8.92

-7.97

-7.44

-8.59

E2

P = 16.427 e0.1623T

o

-9.63

-8.99

-9.20

-9.26

a

C C C C C C C C C C

-9.23

The regression function of 100 wt % deionized water found to be P = 4.7313 e0.1492T, where

P is pressure and T is temperature. A higher negative “ Td” value corresponds to a higher dissociation temperature. Solution samples from the reclaimer outlet behaved differently to samples from the reboiler outlet. Some of the hydrate depression temperature values of the aqueous solutions collected from the reclaimer outlet show a higher depression temperature, compared to fresh MEG 36 ACS Paragon Plus Environment

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(scenarios E1, F2, E2, F1, and B1), while other samples show a lower depression temperature (scenarios A, C2, B2, and C1) (Table 6). The highest average hydrate depression temperature measured was 8.52 oC for solution of scenario E1, while the lowest measurement was 2.83 oC for solution of scenario C1. This difference in lower depression temperature is mainly because of the reclamation effect of removing more salts from the MEG solution (Figure 15). Additionally, as the reclaimer was operated at a high temperature of 160 oC, higher temperature can cause MEG degradation which would reduce the hydrate inhibition performance.17,46

Table 6. Experimental hydrate depression temperature for natural gas with 20 wt % of various MEG solutions collected from the reclaimer outlet, and the fitted regression functions (sorted from poorest to highest inhibitor) b Reclaimer solution scenario

Regression functions

 Td

C1

P = 2.4489 e0.2134T

C2

Pressure (bar)

Average  Td

120

100

80

60

o

-3.55

-3.40

-2.65

-1.70

-2.83

P = 13.495 e0.1272T

o

-4.82

-4.55

-4.55

-5.85

-4.94

A

P = 17.601 e0.1181T

o

-5.65

-6.00

-5.93

-6.80

-6.10

Fresh MEG

P = 7.7189 e0.18T

o

-6.73

-6.07

-5.60

-6.12

-6.13

B1

P = 10.196 e0.1604T

o

-6.90

-6.00

-5.45

-6.40

-6.19

F1

P = 14.826 e0.1519T

o

-8.08

-7.80

-7.68

-7.90

-7.87

E2

P = 4.8849 e0.2566T

o

-9.47

-8.47

-7.87

-7.38

-8.30

F2

P = 16.314 e0.1493T

o

-8.45

-8.33

-8.25

-8.25

-8.32

E1

P = 6.621 e0.2345T

o

-9.58

-8.65

-8.33

-7.50

-8.52

b

C C C C C C C C C

P is pressure and T is temperature. A higher negative “ Td” value corresponds to a higher

dissociation temperature.

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4. Conclusions This study established the interactions of regenerated and reclaimed MEG containing water, drilling mud, mineral salts, demulsifier, MDEA, and condensate on gas hydrate formation during the clean-up phase of a typical gas field. Understanding the kinetics of regenerated and reclaimed complex MEG solutions on hydrate phase equilibria forms the basis for improved system design, operations, and MEG dosage calculation. Also, the study investigated a highly complex process of six scenarios of MEG regeneration/reclamation. Understanding this process will help determine the optimum MEG plant operation for proper fluid separation, production, and completion chemicals removal, mineral salts partition, and required MEG concentration, within a given industrial process, allowing appropriate control systems to be effectively managed. The pretreatment section of the MEG pilot plant is designed to remove drilling mud, condensate, and low soluble/divalent salts. NaOH was injected to precipitate divalent cations in the solution. Rich MEG and condensate phases in the TPS remained cloudy, demonstrating that the drilling mud had no clear tendency to partition in either the condensate or the MEG phases. Adding a demulsifier leads to faster emulsion breakdown in the TPS, and a reduction in the drilling mud carry-over into the MPV. Heating the solution to 80 oC in the MPV helped to break down the emulsion. Rich MEG leaving the MPV was clear, indicating that most of the drilling mud stayed in the MPV and accumulated in the interface portion in the MPV, while a certain amount migrated to the RGT. The reclaimer operated in a semi-continuous mode at 160 oC to remove monovalent salts from the lean MEG. Electrical conductivity (σ) measurement was used for evaluating salt concentrations in the MEG solution. Electrical conductivities at reclaimer slurry side showed the highest reading, representing high amount of precipitated salts (Figure 14). A pH measurement was used for evaluating acid concentrations in the MEG solution. pH values at the reclaimer condensed 38 ACS Paragon Plus Environment

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outlet and reboiler outlet were high, at an average of 9.2 and 11.3 respectively. The high pH can be explained by the transformation of bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) to hydroxide (OH-) and carbonate (CO3-2) ions when the CO2 boils off.92 Generally, pH can be affected by acid gases picked up from the gas stream, the oxidation and thermal decomposition of glycol. To manage corrosion and scale risks, the pH levels throughout the plant must be carefully managed. Emdadul 1 recommended controlling the pH (after pretreatment phase) to values of 7.4-8.5 to prevent the corrosion/scale formation in the plant. The effects of regenerated/reclaimed MEG solutions on the kinetics of gas hydrate inhibition were investigated. We reported the equilibrium conditions using the isochoric method of natural gas hydrate in the presence of 20 wt % of different MEG solutions for a pressure range of 65 to 125 bar (Figure 19 (a-i)). A review was made of hydrate depression temperature, and the regression functions of the fitted data were reported (Table 5 and Table 6). It is argued that the principle possible reason for the higher temperature depression of tested solutions, as compared to fresh MEG, is the synergistic hydrate inhibition effect of the MEG with a salts component.27 On the other hand, four samples from the reclaimer outlets show a lower depression temperature (less hydrate inhibition performacne) than fresh MEG (Table 6). This is mainly because of salts removed from the MEG solution, and the presence of thermal degradation organic acids.46 From a flow assurance point of view, although regenerated MEG shows a good hydrate inhibition performance, it is determined that this is because of the salts present in the solutions. However, this salt component may lead to other problems of scale build-up and corrosion if not addressed correctly.

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In summary, this study has brought a new focus to the MEG regeneration and reclamation of complex solutions during the start-up and clean-up phases of the gas field, and the relationship of the final product with gas hydrate inhibition performance. AUTHOR INFORMATION Corresponding Author * E-mail: [email protected] Mobile: +61423593918 Phone: +61892663008 Author Contributions All authors contributed to the manuscript, and all authors approved the final version of the manuscript. ACKNOWLEDGMENT The authors thank Chevron Australia Pty. Ltd and Curtin Corrosion Engineering Industry Centre (CCEIC) for supporting this project. Also authors acknowledge the support of the government of the Sultanate of Oman for sponsoring this study at Curtin University.

Notes The authors declare no competing financial interest.

ABBREVIATIONS •

MEG: Mono Ethylene Glycol



MDEA: Methyl Di-Ethanolamine



FFCI: Film Forming Corrosion Inhibitor



NG: Natural Gas



PVT: Pressure Volume Temperature

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ICP-OES: Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry



IC: Ion Chromatography



EOS: Equation Of State



PPM: Part Per Million



RTD: Resistance Temperature Detector.



ppmv: Parts Per Million by Volume.



TPS: Three Phase Separator



RMH: Rich MEG Heater



CT: Condensate Tank



FB: Feed blender



MPV: MEG Pre-treatment Vessel



BT: Brine Tank



RGT: Rich Glycol tank



LGT: Lean Glycol Tank



DC: Distillation Column



RD: Reflux Drum



CO: Reflux Condenser



RB: Reboiler



RC: Reclaimer



PLC: Programmable Logic Control

41 ACS Paragon Plus Environment

Energy & Fuels

Abstract Graphics:

Wellhead

Gas Condensate Completion Water/Fluids

Pre-treatment Section 80 oC Rich MEG

Lean MEG

Gas

Lean MEG Tank

Reservoir

124

12:14:24

Gas Hydrate Test

Reclaimed MEG

Regeneration Section 135 oC Lean MEG

Gas

Condensate/ Completion fluids

Rich MEG Tank Water

123 12:00:00 16:30

122 11:45:36

Cooling P-T cycle Dissociation P-T cycle

120

11:31:12 14:40

Temp-Time Heating cycle Temp-Time Cooling cycle Equilibrium point

119

11:16:48

Time (hh:mm)

121

Pressure (bar)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60

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Reclaimer Section 160 oC

118 12:30 11:02:24 117 10:48:00

116

Isochoric Method

09:30 10:33:36

115

9

10

11

12 13 Temperature (oC)

14

15

16

Soluble Salts

17

REFERENCES (1) Emdadul, H. M. Ethylene Glycol Regeneration Plan: A Systematic Approach to Troubleshoot the Common Problems. J. Chem. Eng 2012, 27 (1), 21-26. (2) Arnold, K.; Stewart, M.: Surface Production Operations: design of gas handling systems and facilities; 2nd edition. ed.; Gulf Professional Publishing: Houston, USA, 1999; Vol. 2. (3) Sloan, E. D.; Koh, C. A.: Clathrate hydrates of natural gases; 3rd edition ed.; CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group: Boca Raton, USA, 2008. pp. 192. (4) He, S.; Liang, D.; Li, D.; Ma, L. Experimental Investigation on the Dissociation Behavior of Methane Gas Hydrate in an Unconsolidated Sediment by Microwave Stimulation. Energy & Fuels 2011, 25, 33-41. (5) Sloan, E. D. Fundamental principles and applications of natural gas hydrates. Nature 2003, 426, 355-356. (6) Tariq, M.; Atilhan, M.; Khraisheh, M.; Othman, E.; Castier, M.; García, G.; Aparicio, S.; Tohidi, B. Experimental and DFT Approach on the Determination of Natural Gas Hydrate

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Equilibrium with the Use of Excess N2 and Choline Chloride Ionic Liquid as an Inhibitor. Energy & Fuels 2016, 30, 2821-2832. (7) Jin, Y.; Konno, Y.; Yoneda, J.; Kida, M.; Nagao, J. In Situ Methane Hydrate Morphology Investigation: Natural Gas Hydrate-Bearing Sediment Recovered from the Eastern Nankai Trough Area. Energy & Fuels 2016, 30, 5547-5554. (8) Haghighi, H.; Chapoy, A.; Burgess, R.; Tohidi, B. Experimental and thermodynamic modelling of systems containing water and ethylene glycol: Application to flow assurance and gas processing. Fluid Phase Equilibria 2009, 276, 24-30. (9) Brustad; Loken, K. P.; Waalmann., J. G.: Hydrate Prevention using MEG instead of MeOH: Impact of experience from major Norwegian developments on technology selection for injection and recovery of MEG. In Offshore Technology Conference; Offshore Technology Conference: Houston, TX, U.S.A, 2005. (10) Teixeira, A. M.; de Oliveira Arinelli, L.; de Medeiros, J. L.; Ofélia de Queiroz, F. A. Exergy Analysis of Monoethylene glycol recovery processes for hydrate inhibition in offshore natural gas fields. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering 2016, 35, 798813. (11) Lehmann, M. N.; Lamm, A.; Nguyen, H. M.; Bowman, C. W.; Mok, W. Y.; Salasi, M.; Gubner, R.: Corrosion Inhibitor and Oxygen Scavenger for use as MEG Additives in the Inhibition of Wet Gas Pipelines. In Offshore Technology Conference Asia; Offshore Technology Conference: Kuala Lumpur, 2014. (12) Babu, D.; Hosseinzadeh, M.; Ehsaninejad, A.; Babaei, R.; Kashkooli, M.; Akbary, H. Carbonates precipitation in MEG loops–A comparative study of South Pars and Bass Strait gas fields. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering 2015, 27, 955-966. (13) Latta, T. M.; Seiersten, M. E.; Bufton, S. A.: Flow Assurance Impacts on Lean/Rich MEG Circuit Chemistry and MEG Regenerator/Reclaimer Design. Offshore Technology Conference, 2013. (14) Zaboon, S.; Soames, A.; Ghodkay, V.; Gubner, R.; Barifcani, A. Recovery of MonoEthylene glycol distillation and the impact of dissolved salts simulating field data. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering 2017. (15) Nazzer, C. A.; Keogh, J.: Advances in Glycol Reclamation Technology. In Offshore Technology Conference; Offshore Technology Conference, 2006. (16) Halvorsen, E. N.; Halvorsen, A. M. K.; Ramstad, K.; Tydal, T.; Biornstad, C. In Tilte2006; Society of Petroleum Engineers. (17) AlHarooni, K. M.; Pack, D. J.; Iglauer, S.; Gubner, R.; Ghodkay, V.; Barifcani, A. The Effects of Thermally Degraded Mono Ethylene Glycol with Methyl Di-Ethanolamine and Film Formation Corrosion Inhibitor on Gas Hydrate Kinetics. Energy & Fuels 2017.

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