Recycling Systems

Amine Reclamation
Heat Transfer Fluid
Glycol Purification

Results & Reports

Cost Analysis Overview
Fluid Dehydration
Glycol System Clean-up
Heat Transfer Review

HEAT TRANSFER FLUID RECLAMATION

Cimarron provides solutions to the oil field and natural gas plants for fluid reclamation. Recently, Cimarron provided one such solution to a natural gas plant in the San Juan Basin by reclaiming heat transfer fluid used as a heat medium.

Chemtherm 550 was used as a heat medium in amine trains within the gas plant. To shut the amine trains down would require the entire plant to be shut in. The Chemtherm 550 contained within the system was contaminated and had several physical properties that were outside the normal operating parameters. The fluid had a low viscosity, high moisture content, reduced flash point, and a large amount of xylene insolubles. The initial solution was to drain the system and clean all of the interior components. This procedure had been performed previously at the cost of approximately $250,000.

Cimarron proposed the use of the PACER II in conjunction with a filter system to restore the Chemtherm 550 within normal operating parameters. Both processes were done in a side stream application allowing the plant to continue natural gas production. The PACER II distills any moisture or low boilers under a vacuum condition that are contained in the fluid. This process increased viscosity, lowered the moisture content, and raised the flash point back to normal operating conditions. Mechanical filtration removed the bulk of the xylene insolubles. Filtration began with 20 micron filters which reduced xylene insolubles from a starting point of 28,000 ppm down to 600 ppm. The cost to the customer was only $39,000, a savings of approximately $211,000!

• Removal of the above mentioned components will result in the following:
• Increased viscosity, lower moisture content, lower xylene insolubles, and increased the flash point of the Chemtherm 550.
• The system will require less heat inputs to maintain fluid temperature, resulting in lower energy costs. (Fuel or Electricity?)
• Increased heat transfer within the heat exchangers.
• Decreased potential formation of xylene insoluble solids which in turn will reduce the amount of char and coke deposits on heat exchangers and piping.
• Decreased filter usage.
• Reduction of the xylene insolubles will reduce wear on pump and valve seals and other components that are suspect to degradation when in contact with xylene.