Compact unit for gas dehydration

In the planned pilot, Minox and Statoil will test and demonstrate the most compact and energy effective dehydration concept to date. The purpose is to verify the concept with innovative use of static mixers together with a multiple separator layout. Execution of the pilot is crucial in order to demonstrate, qualify and commercialize the technology. Existing dehydration units for natural gas consist of large contactor towers, absorbers, where the wet gas reacts with glycol as it passes through the absorber. The absorbers are sensitive to movements of the installation, which particularly is a problem on floating installations. The contactor towers extends through multiple topside decks, they are heavy, require large volumes of glycol, have high energy consumption and are not suitable for subsea installation. In 2003 Minox performed tests on how glycol in static mixers can absorb water from natural gas at Hydro's research centre in Porsgrunn. The tests results were promising, but the idea for improved drygas technology was not taken forward until 2013 when the market started to show more interest for cost effective solutions. In 2004 we applied for patents in Norway, UK and Brazil. Preliminary results indicates enormous benefits compared to existing technology: - 50 % reduced cost due to vast reduction in weight and height - Up to 40 % reduced energy consumption due to considerable reduction of glycol. The Minox®DryGas technology is an internationally ground-breaking innovation compared to existing technology. Statoil considers the system as an essential and important step towards enabling subsea gas separation. Statoil's involvement in the project proves industry interest and market potential, and a successful project will give Minox significant value potential. Initial years' revenue is expected to be partly based on retrofit solutions on the NCS, new field developments outside Australia and Brazil and subsea solutions on the NCS, GoM and in the Arctic.