Engineering Reference Guide

A comprehensive guide to common equipment, design considerations, and industry standards in pipeline and gas processing.

Inlet/Reception Facilities

Essential equipment for receiving and processing incoming pipeline flows

Pig Receivers & Launchers

Receive and launch pipeline inspection gauges (PIGs) and cleaning tools for pipeline maintenance and integrity management.

  • Closure door for pig insertion/removal
  • Bypass lines and flow diversion
  • Pressure indicators and relief valves
  • Pig signalers and detectors
  • Design pressure: 600-1440 psig

Slug Catchers

Separate and temporarily store liquid slugs from gas pipelines. Prevents liquid carryover with vessel, finger, or harp-type designs.

  • Vessel, finger, or parking loop types
  • 5-10 minute residence time
  • Level control and monitoring
  • Liquid removal systems
  • High separation efficiency

Inlet Separators

Primary separation of gas, condensate, and water from incoming pipeline flow. Protects downstream equipment from liquids and solids.

  • 2-Phase or 3-Phase operation
  • Operating pressure: 100-1440 psig
  • Retention: 1-3 min gas, 3-5 min liquid
  • Mist eliminator efficiency: 99%+
  • K-factor sizing: 0.15-0.35 ft/s

Separation Equipment

High-efficiency separation technologies for gas processing

Production Separators

Horizontal, vertical, or spherical configurations for two-phase or three-phase separation with advanced internals for optimal performance.

  • Multiple configurations available
  • Inlet devices and mist extractors
  • K-factor sizing methodology
  • Stokes Law droplet removal
  • Surge and slug handling

Filter Separators

Remove solid particles and liquid aerosols from gas streams. Protects compressors and molecular sieves with cartridge-type elements.

  • Particle removal: 0.3-5 microns
  • Liquid removal: 99.98% efficiency
  • Pressure drop: 2-5 psi clean
  • Change-out ΔP: 10-15 psi
  • Coalescing section included

Treating Equipment

Gas sweetening and purification systems

Amine Contactors

Remove H₂S and CO₂ from natural gas using amine solutions. Critical for meeting pipeline and sales gas specifications with 20-24 trays.

  • Operating pressure: 200-1200 psig
  • L/G ratio: 2-5 gal/MMscf
  • Amine concentration: 15-50 wt%
  • Tray efficiency: 25-35%
  • Chimney trays and demister

Amine Regenerators

Strip acid gases from rich amine solution with 15-25 trays. Regenerates lean amine for reuse in the contactor loop.

  • Pressure: 5-20 psig
  • Reboiler temp: 240-270°F
  • Reflux ratio: 1-3 lb H₂O/gal
  • Steam rate: 0.9-1.2 lb/gal
  • Lean loading: <0.05 mol/mol

Dehydration Equipment

Water removal systems for pipeline-quality gas

Glycol Contactors

Remove water vapor from natural gas using TEG/EG. Prevents hydrate formation and corrosion with 7-10 bubble cap or valve trays.

  • Operating pressure: 200-1500 psig
  • Contact temperature: 60-120°F
  • Glycol circulation: 2-5 gal/lb H₂O
  • Lean glycol: 98.5-99.9 wt%
  • Water dew point: -10 to -150°F

Molecular Sieve Dehydrators

Deep dehydration for cryogenic processes achieving <0.1 ppmv water content. Used upstream of LNG or NGL recovery with 3A or 4A sieve.

  • Adsorption: 8-24 hours
  • Heating: 5-6 hours @ 450-600°F
  • Cooling: 2-3 hours
  • Regeneration gas: 5-15% of feed
  • Pressure drop: 5-10 psi

Compression Equipment

Reciprocating, centrifugal, and screw compressors

Reciprocating Compressors

High pressure ratio service with variable flow conditions. API 618 design for gas gathering, transmission, and storage applications.

  • Single or multi-stage operation
  • Pressure ratio: 1.5-4.0 per stage
  • Pulsation dampeners
  • Interstage coolers
  • Vibration monitoring

Centrifugal Compressors

High flow rate, steady conditions for pipeline transmission and plant applications. API 617 design with 75-85% efficiency.

  • Multi-stage impellers
  • Pressure ratio: 1.2-1.8 per stage
  • Speed: 3,000-20,000 rpm
  • Variable inlet guide vanes
  • Dry gas seals

Screw Compressors

Medium pressure and flow applications with oil-flooded or oil-free design. Compact, low vibration operation for refrigeration and vapor recovery.

  • Pressure ratio: 3-15 single stage
  • Continuous flow
  • Low vibration
  • Wide operating range
  • Compact footprint

Storage & Utilities

Tank systems, flares, and utility infrastructure

Storage Tanks

Atmospheric and pressure storage per API 650/620. Fixed roof, floating roof, spheres, and bullets for various product storage needs.

  • Fixed and floating roof tanks
  • Spheres for LPG (>10,000 gal)
  • Bullets (<30,000 gal)
  • Design pressure: 250-300 psig
  • Secondary containment required

Flare Systems

Complete flare systems including stack, knockout drum, seal drum, and ignition for safe disposal of hydrocarbon vapors.

  • Flare stack and tip design
  • Knockout and seal drums
  • Pilots and ignition system
  • Purge gas system
  • Radiation calculations

Control & Safety Systems

Instrumentation, control valves, relief systems, and safety instrumented systems for process control and personnel protection.

  • Control valve sizing (Cv)
  • Relief valve design per API 520/521
  • Safety instrumented systems (SIS)
  • Emergency shutdown systems
  • Fire and gas detection

Engineering Data Tables

Reference data for pipeline and gas processing calculations

View Data Tables

Access comprehensive engineering data including hydrocarbon properties, thermodynamic data, unit conversions, and equipment design parameters.

  • Hydrocarbon Properties
  • Thermodynamic Data
  • Unit Conversions
  • Pipeline & Product Specs
  • Equipment Design Data