DESIGN OF ADSORBER FOR GAS

DEHYDRATION
1

Calculate the water to be adsorbed from the

gas

Flowrate = Gas rate

[MMscf/d]
W= Water content
[lb/MMscf]
Cycle = Cycles per day
The bed operation cycle time is usually assumed
as 8h; thus, one day has 3 cycles

CAMPBELL, John M. Gas conditioning and processing.

Vol 2. 1979.

DESIGN OF ADSORBER FOR GAS

DEHYDRATION
2

Estimate the allowable superficial velocity

through the bed
Mesh size of
the dessicant

vg = Superficial gas velocity

[ft/min]
Flowrate = Gas rate [MMscf/d]
Z = Compressibility factor
T = Inlet gas temperature [R]
P = Adsorber pressure [psia]
d = Bed diameter [ft]

vg = Superficial gas velocity

[ft/min]
Dp = Particle diameter
(average) [ft]
g = Gas density [lb/ft3]

CAMPBELL, John M. Gas conditioning and processing.

Vol 2. 1979.

DESIGN OF ADSORBER FOR GAS

DEHYDRATION
2

Estimate the allowable superficial velocity

through the bed

Modified Sabri Ergun Equation (1952)

Particle Type

B [FPS]

C [FPS]

1/8 Bead

0,0560

0,0000889

1/8 Extrudate

0,0722

0,000124

1/16 Bead

0,152

0,000136

1/16 Extrudate

0,238

0,000210

GPSA Engineering Data Book, Gas Processors Suppliers Assoc.,

Tulsa, OK. 2004.

DESIGN OF ADSORBER FOR GAS

DEHYDRATION
Calculate the bed
diameter (if not given)

Calculate the
water loading

vg = Superficial gas velocity

[ft/min]
Flowrate = Gas rate [MMscf/d]
Z = Compressibility factor
T = Inlet gas temperatura [R]
P = Adsorber pressure [psia]
d = Bed diameter [ft]

q = Water loading [lb/hr-ft2]

Flowrate = Gas rate [MMscf/
d = Bed diameter [ft]
W= Water content [lb/MMsc

CAMPBELL, John M. Gas conditioning and processing.

Vol 2. 1979.

DESIGN OF ADSORBER FOR GAS

DEHYDRATION
5

Calculate the mass transfer zone height

For Silica Gel

hz = MTZ height [in]
q = Water loading [lb/hr-ft2]
vg = Superficial gas velocity [ft/min]
R.S.= percent relative saturation of
inlet gas

Alumina 0.8 times hz for gel

Molecular sieve 0.6 times hz
for gel

CAMPBELL, John M. Gas conditioning and processing.

Vol 2. 1979.

DESIGN OF ADSORBER FOR GAS

DEHYDRATION
6

Calculate the dynamic capacity at saturation

xs = Dynamic capacity at saturation [kg water per 100

kg dessicant]

CAMPBELL, John M. Gas conditioning and processing.

DESIGN OF ADSORBER FOR GAS

DEHYDRATION
7

Calculate the maximum dessicant useful

capacity and bed lenght hB

xs = Maximum dessicant useful capacity [kg water per 100

kg dessicant]
xs = Dynamic capacity at saturation [kg water per 100 kg
dessicant]
hB = Bed lenght [ft]
hz = MTZ height [in]
d = Bed diameter [ft]
CAMPBELL, John M. Gas conditioning
and processing.
3

DESIGN OF ADSORBER FOR GAS

DEHYDRATION
8

Calculate the breakthrough time

xs = Maximum dessicant useful capacity [kg water per 100

kg dessicant]
B = Bulk density of dessicant [lb/ft3]
q = Water loading [lb/hr-ft2]
hB = Bed lenght Cycle
[ft]
time should
be greater than
breakthrough
time
CAMPBELL, John M. Gas conditioning and processing.
Vol 2. 1979.

DESIGN OF ADSORBER FOR GAS

DEHYDRATION
Design parameters verification

Low capacity

High pressure drop

Sieve damages

REGENERATION HEAT
REQUIREMENTS
1

The heat required during the heating part of the

cycle is

= Water adsorbed/cycle [lb/cycle]

= Heat required/cycle [Btu/cycle]
, = Mass and specific heat of dessicant
, Mass and specific heat of tower
= Heat of water desorbed (given) [Btu/lb]
= Maximum outlet temperature (F)
= Ambient temperature (F)
ABDEL-AAL, Hussein K.; AGGOUR, Mohamed A.; FAHIM, Mohamed A. Petroleum and gas field
processing. CRC Press, 2003.

REGENERATION HEAT
REQUIREMENTS
2

The flow rate of

heating gas is
obtained from

Calculate the gas

heater load

Assume 25%
= Flow rate of heating gas[lb/cycle], [lb/h] excess load
for losses
= Heat required/cycle [Btu/cycle]
= Gas heater load [Btu/cycle], [Btu/h]
= Specific heat of gas
= Temperature of heating gas (F)
= Ambient temperature (F)
H = Heating time per cycle [h/cycle]
H

ABDEL-AAL, Hussein K.; AGGOUR, Mohamed A.; FAHIM, Mohamed A. Petroleum and gas field
processing. CRC Press, 2003.

REGENERATION HEAT
REQUIREMENTS
4

Calculate cooling
requirements

Gas flow rate for

cooling

C
= Cooling requirements [Btu/cycle]
= Gas flow rate for cooling [lb/cycle], [lb/h]
, = Mass and specific heat of dessicant
, Mass and specific heat of tower
= Specific heat of gas
= Maximum outlet temperature (F)
= Ambient temperature (F)
C = Cooling time per cycle [h/cycle]

ABDEL-AAL, Hussein K.; AGGOUR, Mohamed A.; FAHIM, Mohamed A. Petroleum and gas field
processing. CRC Press, 2003.