With the attention and importance of good environmental stewardship, emissions control has been the primary focus of carbon capture discussions. To accomplish winning results, companies are revitalizing procedures and developing new equipment designed to win in the game of compliance.

GLY-TECH has developed its own solution to emission concerns with its VOC/BTEX Eliminator. Designed to break down volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at rates greater than 95-percent, this piece of vapor-busting equipment ensures compliance with upstream oil and gas and gas dehydration facilities regulations.

“GLY-TECH’s VOC/BTEX Eliminator provides support through a number of variations including the overhead vapors of TEG regenerators,” said Julia Medina, GLY-TECH Process Engineer. “The Eliminator can also be used in tank battery and truck rack applications.”

With the ability to be utilized in multiple applications, the Eliminator can be applied to a condenser as either a single unit, or separately on an independent skid. To provide the pilot frame’s most suitable and efficient monitoring capability, Failsafe Ignitor Systems are used with each unit.

GLY-TECH’s VOC/BTEX Eliminator is constructed from 316 stainless steel material. Size is based upon the BTEX destruction required. A steel grate surrounds the main structure and serves as a preventative measure in eliminating direct contact with the combustion section while in operation.

Benefits

The VOC/BTEX Eliminator can benefit companies to address emissions without drastically increasing budgets. Its minimal investment cost compliments decreased operating costs. Through operating temperature and residence time capability, a destruction efficiency of approximately 98-percent proves possible.

These factors prove crucial especially in areas such as the Permian Basin. Beginning on January 1, 2022, the New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board will implement its 20.2.250.18 standard for glycol dehydrators which display the possibility of emitting equal to or more than two tons of volatile organic compounds. This new regulation is applicable to wellhead sites, tank batteries, boosting and gathering sites, process plants of natural gas, and compressor stations.

“GLY-TECH provides a regulator solution from cradle to grave,” said Michael Palasch, GLY-TECH Principal Engineer. “Engineering and technical support is provided on every project.”

The board’s standard further stipulates that applicable glycol dehydrators must possess a combination of capture and control efficiency of 95-percent of VOC emissions. With GLY-TECH’s VOC/BTEX Eliminator’s design providing for a rate greater than 95-percent, the unit can easily assist customers in achieving compliance when the new ruling goes retroactive in 2022.

Components

The VOC/BTEX Eliminator contains a ring burner sourced from an in-house design. It consists of 88 brass tips that are strategically positioned in multiple directions, allowing for maximum coverage of the combustor’s surface area.

The design includes a pressure regulator. This reduces the high pressures associated with stored gas located in the cylinder. When the pressure is lowered, the gas can be utilized safely within the operating systems.

All Eliminators feature an ignitor panel. GLY-TECH maintains a Failsafe Ignitor System as the appropriate selection for each. This system provides the ability to operate a fuel burner that includes three individual fuel-burning functions. This consists of an ignition source, a pilot fuel control source, and a primary burner fuel control source.

The ignitor utilizes a digital signal that harnesses at least two different time-phased signals to provide the spark. The ignition generating source can be operated with a signal time or phase-separated from that signal controlling the main fuel valve.

The Eliminator includes a flame arrestor that prevents a flame from entering the atmosphere, where combustible gases may reside and explode. This device manages the flame inside of the enclosed location.

Safety

While the GLY-TECH VOC/BTEX Eliminator provides a look to the future of emission reduction, they must be handled and operated responsibly and with care. As a combustor, the Eliminator can be a fire hazard and must be thoroughly inspected.

These devices should always be staged on level ground. It is also recommended that they be positioned higher at an incline in respect to their condenser units. This can assist in avoiding the entrance of condensate into the combustion chamber.

While all fluids within the units are flammable, all safety precautions should be followed during the operation of these systems. Servicing or opening the access panel is prohibited unless all safety precautions have been rendered.

“Unlike other companies, GLY-TECH provides full coverage and support of its products, including the Eliminator,” said Medina. “We can provide operating training and discuss safety precautions upon request.”

Furthering the Reach

With any design produced inside the doors of GLY-TECH, a high level of customization is always available. Engineering services allow for critical features to be tweaked as needed. As a result, the VOC/BTEX Eliminator features a burner management system that is upgradeable if required.

While this is a key benefit to the GLY-TECH technology, the entire Eliminator system can be designed through process-specific engineering services. This means that whichever Eliminator one might purchase, it is not a stock design, but instead, it is a piece of equipment designed specifically for the customer’s application.

“GLY-TECH is not just selling a piece of equipment,” said Medina. “We recognize that every problem is unique and as a result, we are supplying customers with an engineered solution.”