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Glycol Dehydration Calculator

GPSA · API 12GDU · Sivalls Method

Glycol Dehydration System Calculator
Designs TEG and EG systems for natural gas water removal. Calculates glycol circulation rate, reboiler duty, and thermal properties per GPSA standards to prevent hydrate formation and meet pipeline specifications.

Glycol Type & Concentration

wt%
TEG — Gas Dehydration:
Lean: 98.5–99.5% · Rich: 95–97%
Target: <7 lb H₂O/MMscf

Site Conditions

ft
Engineering Note

Elevation reduces atmospheric pressure (~1 psi per 2,300 ft), lowering water's boiling point. The same glycol purity is achieved at lower reboiler temperatures at altitude.

Water Removal Calculations (Optional)

MMSCFD
lb/MMSCF
lb/MMSCF
/* Sivalls Reboiler Duty (1976) */
Q = W × (900 + 966 × G)
// Q = BTU/hr, W = lb H₂O/hr, G = gal/lb

About This Calculator

Designs glycol dehydration systems per GPSA and Sivalls methodology for natural gas dehydration and freeze protection.

Calculations Include:

  • Freezing Point: GPSA Figures 20-16/17
  • Reboiler Temp: With elevation correction
  • Circulation: 3 gal TEG/lb H₂O standard
  • Heat Duty: Sivalls equation (+10% design)

⚡ Quick Reference — TEG Dehydration

Pipeline Spec: <7 lb H₂O/MMscf
Lean TEG: 98.5–99.5 wt%
Circulation: 2–4 gal/lb H₂O
Reboiler: 370–400°F
Degradation: 404°F (TEG)
Contactor: 60–120°F inlet

TEG vs EG Selection

Property TEG EG
Primary Use Dehydration Freeze Prot.
Max Reboiler 400°F 320°F
Degradation 404°F ~329°F
Vapor Pressure Very Low Low
Viscosity Higher Lower
Why 3 gal TEG/lb Water?

GPSA data shows water removal curves flatten at 3–3.5 gal/lb. Higher rates increase reboiler duty without improving dehydration. For absorbers with ≥3 equilibrium stages, 3 gal/lb is the design standard. Lower rates risk insufficient dew point depression.

Thermal Degradation Limits

TEG begins thermal decomposition at 404°F. Limit reboiler to 390°F for safe operation. For >99.5% purity, use stripping gas (2–10 SCF/gal) rather than higher temperatures. DEG degrades at 328°F — avoid in high-temperature applications.

References

  • GPSA
  • API 12GDU Glycol Dehydration Units
  • Sivalls, C.R. (1976) Design Manual
  • Campbell Gas Conditioning, Vol. 2