Grantee Research Project Results
A Membrane-Based Process for the Removal of BTEX from Glycol Dehydration Vents
EPA Contract Number: 68D60047Title: A Membrane-Based Process for the Removal of BTEX from Glycol Dehydration Vents
Investigators: Ray, Rod
Small Business: Bend Research Inc.
EPA Contact: Richards, April
Phase: II
Project Period: September 1, 1996 through June 1, 1999
Project Amount: $225,000
RFA: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) - Phase II (1996) Recipients Lists
Research Category: SBIR - Air Pollution , Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) , Air Quality and Air Toxics
Description:
A major source of environmental emissions of volatile organic compounds are the vent streams from glycol-based dehydration units, which are used to remove water from natural gas. A unit operating on a 50-MMSCFD natural-gas stream will typically discharge more than 40 tons per year of various organic pollutants - about half of which are "BTEX" compounds(e.g., benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes).The objective of this program is to develop a simple and efficient membrane process to reduce the emission of BTEX from glycol dehydration units. This process uses a hollow-fiber membrane module in a unique system design that 1) eliminates the problematic wastewater stream produced by conventional condenser systems, and 2) allows recovery of BTEX. During Phase I, they demonstrated feasibility by operating small-scale modules in the laboratory. A technical and economic analysis showed that this process should have substantial cost advantages over other emission-control technologies.
In Phase II, they propose to optimize the performance of the process and scale up this technology to the pilot scale. Pilot-scale modules will be tested in a pilot-scale system. Alternative system designs that promise to reduce costs will be evaluated.
Supplemental Keywords:
small business, SBIR, air emissions, engineering, chemistry., Scientific Discipline, Air, Toxics, Water, Chemical Engineering, air toxics, Wastewater, Environmental Chemistry, Chemistry, 33/50, Environmental Engineering, Engineering, Chemistry, & Physics, emission control strategies, hazardous liquid waste, wastewater treatment, air pollutants, Toluene, membrane technology , membrane filtration, Xylenes, membrane-based, VOCs, BTEX, chemical contaminants, benzene, air pollution, glycol dehydration vents, wastewater discharges, Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), natural gas, aqueous waste streamProgress and Final Reports:
SBIR Phase I:
A Membrane-Based Process for the Removal of BTEX from Glycol Dehydration VentsThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.