Hydrocarbon Processing - April 2021 - GP-32

PROCESS TROUBLESHOOTING

FIG. 7. Photographs taken of sour and produced waters from several different processes.

technologies be conceived, designed and
implemented effectively.
When dealing with fouling challenges
in aqueous streams, such as the case described previously, it is important to look at
the problem with an unbiased perspective
and a holistic approach with due consideration to processes upstream. Produced
and/or sour water streams vary dramatically in their sources, compositions and
contamination profiles; therefore, their
fouling tendencies and contamination
separation strategies can also vary greatly.
FIG. 7 shows a series of photographs of
several process sour waters and produced
waters in plants around the world. Upon
visual inspection, it can be immediately
seen that the variability of these water
streams is substantial. Hazy samples are
consistent with micro-emulsified hydrocarbons and, in some cases, dispersed suspended solids. Samples with suspended
solids presence indicate considerable upstream contamination or corrosion. With
respect to separation alternatives, streams
with both hydrocarbons and suspended
solids pose the most complex scenarios
for effective contamination removal. The
interaction of both contaminants can, in
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MARCH/APRIL 2021 | GasProcessingNews.com

many cases, generate gel-like materials that
can film over filters and coalescers or any
other surface. This will rapidly cause plugging, leading to an increase in differential
pressure, thereby considerably shortening
the working life of any separation system.
Similarly, the modes by which fouling occurs in the different process streams vary
based on the contaminants present, as
well as the process conditions.
Several ways exist to deal with fouling
in sour or produced process waters. Identifying fouling causes, possible mechanisms
and tendencies is critical to eliminate or
reduce process fouling. The presence of
dissolved components, suspended solids,
hydrocarbon or water phases and emulsions should be tested, analyzed and correlated with fouling when possible. These
parameters must be carefully monitored
to anticipate potential fouling events.
Changes in fouling tendency with changes
in process conditions (T, P, flowrate, etc.)
should be carefully monitored. When
fouling events take place, methods like the
HLPS and other techniques can be used to
understand potential fouling mechanisms.
This will enable proper solutions or mitigations for fouling to be impemented. GP

SCOTT WILLIAMS is a Process
Engineer at Amine Optimization.
He has industry experience in a
number of projects in oil and gas,
petrochemical, chemical and water
treatment applications. As part of
the Amine Optimization engineering
group, Mr. Williams is responsible for technical design
and solutions development in engineering and
technology applications. He also provides support for
analytical and specialized service projects. His recent
work has been focused on amine unit contamination
control, process stability and energy reduction. Mr.
Williams holds a BS degree in chemical and biological
engineering from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
DAVID ENGEL has more than 25 yr of
industrial experience in a variety of
areas of chemical engineering,
chemistry and material sciences. He
is the inventor in 21 U.S. invention
patents and the author of more than
90 technical and scientific papers. He
has worked in several technical and business capacities
for companies such as Eastman Kodak, Eli Lilly, General
Electric and Sulphur Experts, among others. Dr. Engel
specializes in chemical engineering, process chemistry,
optimization and contaminant removal technologies,
and new green technology development. He is the
Managing Director of Nexo Solutions Companies and
sits on the Board of Directors for Exion Systems and
Paico Investments. Dr. Engel is also a Committee
Member of the American Filtration Society, Southwest
Region and a member of the Gas Processors Association
Technical Section M, in addition to a member of the
boards of directors at several companies. He holds
a BS degree in industrial chemistry, an MS degree in
chemistry and a PhD in organic chemistry. He is also
Six Sigma and Project Management certified.

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Hydrocarbon Processing - April 2021

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