Vapor Recovery Tower Design

[zomg11one]

I'm looking for some guidance on Vapor Recovery Towers (VRT). Currently we have condensate and water (at a compressor station) flowing into two storage tanks that flash causing vapors that are vented to atmosphere. We are installing a VRU with a VRT to recover these vapors.

1. Does anyone have any guidance on sizing the VRT? I've been told I should size it for 30 minute retention time, but have not been given a good reason why.

2. Has anyone dealt with a condensate/water mixture in such towers? Does would the two phase liquid in the tower cause problems or do they simply work themselves out?

Thanks!

 

[MortenA]

You could try to speak to these guys:

http://www.coolsorption.dk/

Best regards

Morten

 

[dcasto]

If this is a continous operation with more than 10 bbls per day, I wouldn't use a VRT, I'd use a condensate stabilizer or just a Heater Treater.

 

[edwardmp2009]

May be you need to know the amount of vapor flashed (from flash calculations. That would help in determining the size of the vapor outlet pipe. I'm not sure about how to select the residence time but a cost-benefit analysis should also help in determining the optimum size of the tank.