1. Safety aspect
Prevent explosions and fires
The main components of associated gas are hydrocarbon gases, such as methane, ethane, etc. When they mix with air to a certain proportion (explosive limit), they will explode when exposed to a source of fire. For example, the explosive limit of methane is 5% to 15% by volume. Therefore, during the recycling process, it is necessary to ensure that the entire system is well sealed to prevent associated gas leakage. Open flames, including smoking and hot work, are strictly prohibited around the equipment. All hot work operations require strict approval and safety measures, such as using a hot work permit system, and conducting gas testing on the surrounding environment before hot work.
Static electricity is also a significant hazard that can cause fires and explosions. During the process of gas flow, static electricity may be generated due to friction and other reasons, so the recycling equipment needs to be well grounded to promptly dissipate the static electricity. For example, grounding devices should be installed on pipelines, containers, etc., and the grounding resistance should meet safety standards (generally not exceeding 10 ohms).
Dealing with the hazards of toxic gases
Part of the associated gas contains toxic gases such as hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide is a highly toxic gas that can paralyze the human olfactory nerve. Even at low concentrations, it can cause harm to the human body, such as irritating the respiratory tract, causing headaches, dizziness, and other symptoms. At high concentrations, it can lead to death. At the recycling site, it is necessary to equip hydrogen sulfide detection equipment to monitor the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in real time, and provide appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for operators, such as gas masks, air respirators, etc. At the same time, emergency plans should be developed to quickly organize personnel evacuation and take effective emergency measures, such as spraying chemical absorbents to neutralize hydrogen sulfide in the event of a hydrogen sulfide leak.
2. In terms of quality control
Remove impurities and moisture
Associated gas may contain solid impurities (such as sand particles, rust, etc.), liquid impurities (such as condensate oil), and moisture. Solid impurities can wear down components of equipment such as compressors, affecting the service life and performance of the equipment. A filter can be installed at the air inlet to remove solid impurities. The mesh size of the filter should be selected according to the size of the impurity particles, and it is generally necessary to clean and replace the filter regularly. Liquid impurities and moisture can cause pipeline corrosion, formation of hydrates, and blockage of pipelines. Liquid impurities and moisture can be separated through a gas-liquid separator, and further removal of moisture can be achieved through methods such as desiccant adsorption or low-temperature separation.
In order to ensure the quality of the associated gas after recycling, it is necessary to conduct component analysis on it. Using gas chromatography and other equipment to detect the content of various components in associated gas, ensuring that it meets the quality standards for subsequent use (such as as as fuel, chemical raw materials, etc.). For example, if associated gas is used in chemical production and high purity requirements are placed on the hydrocarbon components, precise control of impurity content is necessary.
3. Equipment operation aspect
Reasonably select and maintain equipment
Select appropriate recovery equipment, such as compressors, separators, etc., based on factors such as associated gas flow rate, pressure, and composition. For compressors, consideration should be given to their flow range, pressure capacity, efficiency, etc. Regular maintenance and upkeep should be carried out during the operation of the equipment. For example, the piston, bearings, and other moving parts of the compressor need to be regularly inspected and lubricated to ensure their normal operation; The internal components of the separator should be regularly inspected to prevent blockage, damage, and other issues.
To establish a device operation monitoring system that can monitor key parameters of the equipment in real-time, such as temperature, pressure, flow rate, etc. Collect this data through sensors and transmit it to the monitoring center. Once the parameters are abnormal, it can promptly alert and take measures. For example, when the outlet pressure of the compressor is too high or the temperature rises abnormally, it may indicate that the equipment has malfunctioned or the operating conditions have changed, and it needs to be adjusted or repaired in a timely manner.
4. In terms of environmental protection
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions
If greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide in associated gas are directly emitted, it will have a negative impact on the environment. In the recycling process, carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) technology can be considered to separate and store carbon dioxide in deep underground formations or for other industrial processes (such as oil recovery) to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
For other hydrocarbon gases, it is important to maximize recovery efficiency, avoid waste and leakage, as methane and other hydrocarbon gases have a stronger greenhouse effect than carbon dioxide. Reducing their emissions is also an important measure for environmental protection.
Dealing with waste and wastewater
The waste generated during the associated gas recovery process (such as used desiccants, filter cartridges, etc.) and wastewater should be treated reasonably. Waste should be classified, collected, and disposed of according to environmental protection requirements. Waste containing harmful substances (such as absorbents that adsorb hydrogen sulfide) should be treated specifically to prevent environmental pollution. If wastewater contains pollutants such as oil, it needs to go through oil-water separation, biochemical treatment and other processes to meet the standards before it can be discharged.
