PPGPL contacted Sepra-Chem Corporation in 2004 about replacing their existing coalescing equipment in their Phase 2 NGL plant. PPGPL was experiencing liquid aerosol carry over into their molecular sieve dehydrators causing dew point problems, shortened sieve bed life (8 - 12 months) and additional downstream equipment problems. During a trip to Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma, three PPGPL Engineers visited 3 different companies utilizing a total of 11 Sepra Chem coalescers and were favorably impressed with what they learned. After discussions with engineers and operating personnel from these three companies, PPGPL decided an on-sit e test with a Sepra-Chem test coalescer was needed to confirm what they had seen and learned during their trip. The test unit was initially piped in downstream of the existing coalescer on Phase 2 in October 2005 and later piped in downstream of two existing coalescers (one horizontal & one vertical) on Phase 1 in August 2007. A slip stream of 15 MMSCFD was diverted from the mainstream flow of 535 MMSCFD (Phase 2) and 746 MMSCFD (Phase 1) and sent through the Sepra-Chem test coalescer. By measuring the fluid in the Sepra-Chem test coalescer it was calculated PPGPL was carrying-over several thousand gallons/day into their downstream molecular sieve's in Phase 1 and Phase 2. (See picture below of Sepra-Chem test coalescer at PPGPL Facility, Phase 1 in Trinidad).
After installation of two Sepra-Chem 6811 OD Dual Closure Coalescers operating in parallel and a Sepra-Chem 5211 OD Dual Closure Wet Filter, over 6,000 gallons of liquid carry over are being recovered each day from Phase 2. By removing the solids upstream with the Wet Filter, the element life in each coalescer operating downstream is greatly extended. (See the picture below of the Sepra-Chem 5211 OD Dual Closure Wet Filter on the left and two 68" OD Dual Closure Coalescers on the right operating in parallel on Phase 2 at PPGPL Facility in Trinidad . The two 6811 Dual Closure Coalescers replaced an existing vertical coalescer in Phase 2.)
PPGPL estimates based on current performance of the regeneration cycle, a 4-5-year molecular sieve bed life. Black & Veatch purchased two 6811 Sepra-Chem Dual Closure Coalescers for PPGPL's Phase 3 under construction in 2007 designed at 660 MMSCFD. PPGPL plans to purchase additional Sepra-Chem Coalescing equipment to replace existing Phase 1 coalescers . Please contact Sepra-Chem Corporation at 903-566-1015.
