Chemical Injection

FLUXUS® helps to tame sour gas

A major US oil company relies on the FLUXUS® ADM 7907 and ADM 8027 ultrasonic flow measurement systems for its gas exploration sites. Pulsating low flows on high-pressure liquids in small diameter, thick walled pipes (schedule160) were the primary challenges for the FLUXUS® flow meters.

Because of high sour gas content, a continuous control of the injection rate of ethylamine into the risers to avoid sulphur crystallisation is crucial. The extracted gas later becomes dehydrated in absorber towers using triethylene glycol. Precise flow measurement is important to maintain the glycol volume flow in exact ratio with the gas volume flow.

The FLUXUS® ADM7907, a rack-mounted flow computer with clamp-on transducers, was the answer the company had been searching for. Due to its two channels, the transmitter is able to simultaneously measure the ethylamine as well as the glycol flows.

To date, the company has installed more than 100 FLEXIM flow systems, including the FLUXUS® ADM 8027 for hazardous area applications, which have given eight years of uninterrupted service.

FLUXUS® overcame the following challenges:

• No clogging due to clamp-on nature

• Very low and pulsating flow rates 0.01 m/s (0.03 ft/s)

• Resistant to pressure peaks

• No requirement for NACE due to no direct sour gas contact