Page 210 - Petroleum and Gas Field Processing
P. 210
A maximum volume of hydrocarbon liquid could be obtained under
stock tank conditions with a minimum loss of solution vapors by
fractionating the last-stage separator liquid. This implies using a simple
fractionating column, where the vapors liberated by increasing the bottom
temperature are counterflowed with the cool feed introduced from the top.
Interaction takes place on each tray in the column. The vapors act as a
stripping agent and the process is described as stabilization.
7.4.2 Equipment and Operation
In general, a conventional fractionating column would require main
auxiliaries such as reflux, pumps, condensers, cooling water, and utilities
frequently not available on site in oil fields. Stabilizers or stripping
columns, on the other hand, can be operated with a minimum of these
auxiliaries. Figure 4 depicts a stabilizer in its simplest form.
Figure 4 Typical trayed stabilizer.
Copyright 2003 by Marcel Dekker, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
