gas well procesing plant - air cooled HE vs S&THE

[rob5377]

Dear all,

I am currently working on a plant design for gas well processing plant. It consist of amine washer, 4 stage reciprocating compressor, gas dryer etc. The weather conditions: winter min -25deg C, summer max +30 deg C.

For all of above air cooled coolers are recommended (I saw once S&T coolers for gas compressor train for offshore). I was wondering if the glycol-water closed loop cooling system would be a better solution with one air cooled water-glycol cooler. Then I could use S&T he in gas compression train, as lean amine condenser etc.
For me pros:
S&T more efficient, smaller footprint, less expensive?, easier to control.
Cons:
Minimum temperature of the cold side fluid during the summer 40 deg C so for example in the amine washer, the lean amine in S&T could be cooled down to min 45 deg C, while if air cooled cooler was used the 40 deg C could be achieved.

Does anyone have any ideas.
Cheers and rgds
Robert

 

[dcasto]

The cost and energy use plus the added equipment for a water (50/50 EG) system is not worth it. The temperature range you have stated is a dream come true for some of the thing I have to deal with.

The gas air coolers only need simple louvers. The amine coolers should be in different banks (lean amine and still overhead condensor) They should have some type of heat recirculation louver set up.

I have a location in the US at 8000 feet with winter lows of -20 F and summer highs of 100F.