R-BTEX (trade name) prototype performance testing results. Topical report, June 1992-April 1993

Emissions of benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene, and the xylene isomers (BTEX) and other volatile organic compounds (VOC) from glycol dehydration units have become a major concern for the natural gas industry as a result of increasing regulatory pressure. Several states are regulating or considering regulation of these units, and the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments provide further impetus for regulation. Existing processes for controlling these emissions, such as incineration or air- or glycol-cooled condensation, may not be able to achieve the required levels of control at many sites, may not recover hydrocarbons as a saleable product, or may produce contaminated water streams. To address this need for improved control technology, the Gas Research Institute initiated development of the R-BTEX process, which combines existing unit operations in an innovative manner to achieve low condenser temperatures and maximize hydrocarbon emission control and recovery. A prototype unit was constructed and installed at a site in south Texas. Performance tests on the unit showed 98.7% VOC control and 99.2% BTEX control.