Development of a simulator for ethylene glycol loops based on solution thermodynamics and particle formation kinetics

There are an increasing number of fields where gas/condensate is transported unprocessed or partly processed. To avoid upsets in the transport-pipeline, hydrate and scale prevention and corrosion rate control are key issues. Continuous injection of Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG) or methanol / ethanol is often the economically, technologically and environmentally best solution for both hydrate inhibition and corrosion mitigation for really long gas/condensate pipelines.
This paper presents and discusses the results of a joint industry project where the objective has been to predict precipitation of solids in MEG-systems used for long-distance tie-ins of unprocessed gas directly from subsea wells. Better understanding of the kinetics of dissolution and precipitation reactions in the MEG-system forms a basis for improved system design and operation.