INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES and GAS TREATMENT EQUIPMENT

of UNDERGROUND STORAGES
G.. Zibert, a candidate of Science, A.G. Zibert
(CJSC GC RusGazEngineering)
Currently gas treatment took off from the underground gas storage is in progress
according to three main technologies:
1. absorptive gas dehydration by means of glycols;
2. low-temperature separation;
3. combination of low-temperature separation with absorptive dehydration.
Process parameters, advantages and disadvantages of every of the scheme are given on slide 2.

slide 2
1. The basic disadvantage of absorptive gas dehydration by means of glycols is selective
water extraction and bad extraction of hydrocarbons 3+ in the course of the
following advantages:
- the possibility of achieving specified temperature of water gas dew-point within the wide
pressures range of the dehydration process (from 2,0 t 12,0 P) that is very
important for the underground gas storage;
- reduced energy costs compared to other processes;
- minimum losses of absorbent up to (2 6) g/m3;
- the possibility of maximum gas offtakes at the beginning of offtake from storages.
2. Basic disadvantages of low-temperature separation processes:
- large differences on extending gas devices and, consequently, increased energy costs;
- significant losses of inhibitor of hydrates prevention;
- the necessity of gas temperature reduction not higher than required temperature of water
dew-point;
- narrow working range of capacity compared to absorptive gas dehydration;

- pressure reduction at extending devices leads to reduction of maximum gas offtake and
increase in sizes of low-temperature equipment.
Advantages of the low-temperature separation process:
- the possibility of achieving normative requirements of dew point temperatures
simultaneously both of water and hydrocarbons;
- simplicity of the process scheme.
The gas treatment technology in the course of combination of low-temperature
separation processes and absorptive gas dehydration and its disadvantages and advantages.
3. Basic disadvantages of combined low-temperature processes and absorptive gas
dehydration:
- increased capital costs of process equipment due to increasing its quantity;
- availability of two inhibitors;
- narrow working range of capacity.
Advantages of combined processes of low-temperature separation and absorptive gas
dehydration:
- the possibility of achieving required normative values of temperatures of water and
hydrocarbons dew-point at less differential pressures at the extending device (the gas cooling system)
compared to low-temperature separation processes;
- lower energy costs compared to the low-temperature separation process.
The basic engineering solutions focused on increasing capacity of gas treatment units of
underground storages, reduction of their cost and sizes are given on slide 3, on which we have
shown the operational module in the initial period of high pressure gas offtake according to the
scheme of low-temperature separation, in the intermediate period of offtake it can operate according
to the scheme of low-temperature separation + absorptive gas dehydration, and at pressure
reduction- in the absorption mode. The multifunction module has been developed on the basis of the
multifunction device fulfilling a function of the following devices at definite stages: a separator, a
separator with gas washing with liquid, a low-temperature separator, a multifunctional absorber of gas
dehydration by means of glycols and some other analogous engineering solutions.

slide 3
On slide 4 we have shown the multifunction regeneration scheme to receive lean glycol of
different concentration depending on pressure of the gas dehydration process in the absorber of the

underground gas storage. At increased pressures the regeneration casing operates at atmosphere
pressure, at reduced pressures with a view to receive lean glycol of increased concentration - using
boil off gas. Such technical solution ensures the normative possibility of gas treatment owing to
humidity within the wide range of pressures from 2,0 t 12,0 P. In this scheme we have used the
innovative technical solution of the use of closed material and heat flows of boil off gas that excludes
boil off gas blow-out to atmosphere or its flaring. It is achieved with the use of the liquid-ring or jet
compressor of boil off gas compression, its dehydration in the small absorber separator and return
to recycling for steam stripping.

slide 4

We have also offered the innovative approach to gas separation processes, including for gases
sampled from the underground gas storage (slide 5), i.. not purely mechanical for separation of
particles and droplets from gas flow, and depending on state of separated gas: supersaturated,
equilibrium, not saturated with liquid, on the basis of which the process and type of the separator are
selected. At high pressures gas is saturated with
liquid in reservoirs, i.. gas becomes supersaturated, in the course of gas offtake and
insignificant declines of pressure about (0,03-0,05) P, including at separation
elements liquid falls out from differential pressure, i.. the separator becomes a liquid condenser.
We have offered the approach to gas separation processes, this approach takes into account:
- phase state of separated mixture;
- processes of mass exchange between phases in separation devices from pressure change;
- droplet entrainment from processing equipment transferred to the separator inlet.
On slide 6 we have shown dependences in the form of schedules, owing to X axis- of liquid
content in gas from pressure, owing to Y axis- for different gases and their state.
For supersaturated gas-liquid mixtures- the schedule ) insignificant reduction of gas pressure
leads to significant increases in condensible liquid out of gas, including at separation elements.
For equilibrium gas-liquid mixtures pressure change does not influence on changes in liquid
content in gas practically, schedule b).
For unsaturated gas mixtures, schedule c), reduction of gas pressure leads to a decrease of
liquid condensation out of gas.

slide 6
On slide 7 we have showed the framework of the low-temperature separator for liquid
separation from supersaturated gases on high-performance structured nozzle with the developed
transfer surface and little hydraulic resistance and achieved effect from the use.

slide 7

On slide 8 we have showed the framework of the separator for equilibrium and unsaturated gas
mixtures with extended range of efficient operation, preliminary unit of separation and distribution of
gas, unit of final separation.

slide 8
On slide 9 we have described direct- flow centrifugal elements with an increased efficiency of
separation are described at the expense of the use of the coalescence unit of liquid droplets and the
secondary separation unit of separated gas-liquid mixture in them.

slide 9

On slide 10 we have showed photos of liquid droplets on the serial element and multifunction
innovative direct- flow centrifugal elements, from which we see increasing the size of separated
droplets on the geared piston visually that leads to increase in efficiency of liquid separation from
gas.

slide 10
On slide 11 we have presented the framework of the slug catcher- separator for supersaturated
gas mixtures with an increased surface of separation nozzles and small hydraulic resistance.

slide 11
On slide 12 we have presented the figure of the multifunction device, filter separator with
improved element filters, sections of distribution and primary separation of gas, final separation and
filtration.

slide 12
From above mentioned it is obvious that CJSC GC RusGazEngineering main directions
are creating innovative technical solutions on the basis of multifunction ways, modules, units,
devices and inner devices for gases treatment and processing,
including the underground gas storage which became common use in started and being built facilities
of GC.
References:
1. Zibert .G., Zibert G.. (a candidate of Science), Minigulov R.., Improvement of
separation equipment on the basis of phase state accounting of gas-liquid mixture, Gas industry, 4,
pages 49 -52, 2010.
2. Zibert .G., Zibert G.. (a candidate of Science), Valiullin I.M., Equipment improvement with
direct-flow centrifugal elements, Gas industry, 9, pp. 72 74, 2008.
3. Zibert .G., Zibert G.. (a candidate of Science ). Main directions of improvement of inner
elements of separators, pages 585-591. Treatment and processing of hydrocarbon gases and
condensate, ., NEDRA, p.735, 2008.
4. Patent 2344869 RF, Way of liquid separation out of gas flow and a device for its
performance.
5. Zibert G.K., Ibragimov I.E. Research of mass exchange direct-flow-centrifugal elements,
Chemical and petroleum machine industry, 6, pages 2-5, 1996.
6. Zibert G.K., Klyuyko V.V., Fektistva .., Zibert A.G. Improvement of separation
processes and separation equipment, Science and equipment in gas industry, March-April, 2004.