PUREMEG

MEG reclamation and regeneration technology

ABOUT CAMERON
Cameron is a leading provider of flow equipment products, systems and services to worldwide
oil, gas and process industries. Leveraging our global manufacturing, engineering and sales
and service network, Cameron works with drilling contractors, oil and gas producers, pipeline
operators, refiners and other process owners to control, direct, adjust, process, measure and
compress pressures and flows.
Cameron operates around the world from more than 300 locations, covering virtually all
of the worlds oil and gas operating basins.

PROCESS & COMPRESSION SYSTEMS

Camerons Process & Compression Systems division provides standard and custom-engineered
process packages for the separation and treatment of oil, gas, water and solids. The combination
of resources within the division enables Cameron to provide comprehensive solutions to satisfy
customer needs in a variety of oil and gas markets, including wellhead production; midstream
gathering and storage; floating production, storage and offloading units; refining; fuel gas
boosting; and more.

VALV E S & ME AS U R E M E N T

Hydrate Prevention with MEG

Monoethylene glycol (MEG) is widely used by the oil and gas markets in
wellheads and pipelines as a hydrate suppressor to prevent hydrate formation
at pipeline conditions. On offshore, deepwater gas-production facilities,
where the exposure to lower temperatures in subsea pipelines is common,
MEG typically is used for hydrate inhibition.
Hydrate inhibition is achieved by injecting MEG to decrease the hydrate
formation temperature below the operating temperature, thus preventing
hydrate blockage of the pipeline. During the gas-production process, the lean
glycol mixes with the produced water from the formation.
The production fluid containing natural gas with associated condensate,
produced water, and the injected MEG enters the production facility where
the fluids undergo phase separation. The produced fluids pass through a
slug catcher and are then flashed in a three-phase, production separator to
separate gas, hydrocarbon liquids and the produced water and MEG mixture,
commonly known as rich MEG. The produced gas and hydrocarbon liquids are
routed onshore for sales and further processing.
The rich MEG is regenerated by Camerons PUREMEG process into a lean, high

purity, salt-free MEG for reuse. Separated salts are sent to disposal.

Camerons PUREMEG Technology

Camerons PUREMEG reclamation and regeneration process is designed to
deliver hydrocarbon and salt-free MEG for hydrate inhibition. The process
reduces MEG losses by decreasing the MEG content in the disposed salt.
Normally, up to 99.5% MEG recovery can be achieved.

PUREMEG Pilot Plant installed at

The University of Manchester

PUREMEG reclamation and regeneration technology

can provide up to 99.5% MEG recovery.

MEG Reclamation

The MEG regeneration section of the PUREMEG process

MEG reclamation is used to recover the MEG and water

is a refluxed distillation column. The distillation column

components from a MEG-water-salt mixture by contacting

also operates under vacuum and distills the water from

the MEG-water-salt stream with a heated recycle stream of

the MEG-water vapors coming off the top of the flash

MEG. The MEG and water components are vaporized and

separator. Salt-free, lean MEG or PUREMEG produced

subsequently separated by distillation. Salt accumulates

at the bottom of the distillation column is pumped to

in the concentrated recycle stream, crystallizes and is

storage for reuse. The vaporized water passes overhead

discharged from the process. MEG reclamation is unusual

from the distillation column. The water is condensed and

compared to other equipment used in gas processing in

collected in the reflux drum. A small amount is returned

that it occurs under a considerable vacuum to reduce the

to the distillation column as reflux, and the remaining is

processing temperatures and the consequential risk of

routed to treatment.

MEG degradation, which, if allowed to occur, leads to a

The salt crystals that precipitate in the flash separator are

sharp rise in MEG losses and equipment fouling.

separated by gravity to the bottom of the brine column,

The PUREMEG Process

Camerons PUREMEG technology has been designed
to remove salts with reduced MEG losses, while also
removing the water to achieve the required outlet glycol
purity. The PUREMEG process is comprised of five sections:

where they are transferred to the salt tank. There,

the salts are concentrated before removal through a
centrifuge.
The salts in produced water cover a variety of species, but
generally are categorized into monovalent salts (typically
sodium and potassium), and divalent salts (typically

Pretreatment

calcium and magnesium). The divalent salts cannot

Flash separation

be effectively precipitated in the same manner as the

MEG regeneration

monovalent salts, so a separate calcium removal process

Salt management

is installed with the PUREMEG process. Effective calcium

Calcium removal

control is accomplished as the divalent salts are collected,

In the pretreatment stage, the rich MEG containing some

reacted and removed through a centrifuge with the

dissolved gas and hydrocarbon liquids must pass through

centrate overflow returning to the process.

a three-phase separator vessel. The gas is flashed and

The PUREMEG process applies specialist knowhow and

recovered hydrocarbon liquids are sent to the production

patented design features. In brief, these features include:

separator. The rich MEG is sent to the flash separator.

Use of spiral-type heat exchangers that are more

The rich MEG stream comprised of produced water and

tolerant of salty conditions than other types of

MEG is fed to the flash separator where it is brought

exchangers.

into contact with a hot recycle stream of MEG. The flash

separator operates under vacuum. The MEG and water
components of the rich MEG stream are flashed and exit
through the top of the flash separator where they are
sent to the MEG distillation column for regeneration. The

Patented design of the flash separator to reduce the

population of salt crystals in the heated recycle stream.
Extraction and cleanup of the salt using a patented saltmanagement technology.

salt components of the rich MEG stream precipitate in the

The result is a design that is best practice in extracting

flash separator.

large quantities of salt with reduced MEG losses,

environmental impact and downtime.

VALV E S & ME AS U R E M E N T

Typical PUREMEG technology with fullstream reclamation

Key Process Differentiations

Reduced Population of Salt Particles in
Recycle Loops (Patented)
Solids content is reduced by approximately 80% to 95%
in the recycle circuit.
Lower particle content reduces erosion and fouling,
resulting in reduced operating and maintenance costs.

The PUREMEG process uses HSE best practice by

operating the centrifuge at ambient temperature.

Divalent Salt Removal System

Cameron offers optional modularized divalent salt removal
systems, which provide better reliability and higher MEG
recovery overall.

Removal of Salt Crystals

Chemical Dosing

Salt particles that descend below the drawoff level settle

Camerons system of chemical dosing controls pH, reduces

at the bottom of the flash separator and enter the salt

oxygen, inhibits corrosion and has the following results:

removal system where they are stripped of MEG.

Significantly less auto-oxidation, which can otherwise

Glycol-depleted waste salt can be disposed of directly

into the sea using either a batch or continuous process, or
dried and disposed of as a cake.
L ow overall MEG losses below 1 wt% in the waste salt
are typically 10 times better than competing designs.

cause the glycol to breakdown into organic acids

Control of the precipitation and removal of calcium and
iron compounds and other contaminants to reduce the
fouling of heat exchangers and other equipment
Use of lower cost materials of construction

The Process Solutions Group

The Process Solutions Group is our industry-recognized
in-house consulting service. Services are provided by
an integrated team of R&D specialists that routinely
develops solutions for challenging customer process
problems. This unique group of specialists is available to
work with customers to design efficient solutions that
meet project requirements.

Aftermarket Support
Camerons global aftermarket network, CAMSERV,
provides site support using a dedicated team of
experienced service and project representatives.
Strategically located throughout the globe, this network
provides turnkey expertise and support for customers
for the duration of a project, from commissioning to
MEG module for offshore Brazil application. Rich MEG flow 5 m /h;
300 tonne module.

operation. From replacement parts and spares, field

High-Flux Heat Exchangers

to provide the highest quality support to ensure our

Our recycle heater uses a spiral-type heat exchanger to

customers satisfaction.

service contracts to equipment repair, our mission is

heat the high-flow salty recycle MEG without fouling,

without allowing suspended particulate matter to settle,
and without exposing the recycled MEG to high skin
temperatures that might promote thermal degradation.

Training
As part of Camerons commitment to providing fullservice solutions, we also offer a diverse Educational
Services Program for the oil- and gas-processing markets.
Our training capabilities include both open enrollment
and custom courses that can be designed to meet our
customers specific needs, in addition to the ability to
provide hands-on training. To obtain additional details,
please contact your local Cameron sales representative
or email prstraining@c-a-m.com.
CAMSERV has more than 400 highly trained technicians
around the world.

VALV E S & ME AS U R E M E N T

HSE Policy Statement

At Cameron, we are committed ethically,
financially and personally to a working environment
where no one gets hurt, nothing gets harmed.

ike the quest for the earths energy

Management System, each Cameron busi-

resources, at Cameron, our commit-

ness unit and facility develops its own

ment to health, safety and the

safety management initiatives geared

environment runs deep. Protecting our

toward its own employees and work

world and workplace is simply a mat-

practices. These include HSE site com-

ter of respect, and a core value shared

mittees, regular safety training sessions,

among all those who wear the Cameron

name. But noble intentions are only realized
through tangible, measurable actions.
So at Cameron, we understand that a culture of safety

employee HSE manuals, HSE compliance

audits, new employee orientation programs
and incident investigation policies.
Cameron takes seriously its role as a responsible cor-

and environmental responsibility must be built upon a very

porate citizen, and is committed to a work environment

real foundation a foundation of communication, high

that exists in harmony with the natural environment.

expectations, accountability, achievement and continuous

In addition to fully complying with all local laws,

challenge for improvement.

Cameron business units also develop and maintain a

Camerons commitment to HSE is a work ethic that

number of effective environmental protection pro-

carries throughout the Cameron organization from the

grams. These include strict waste disposal policies, waste

corporate office to the shop floor. This commitment can

mini-mization and recycling programs, and regular air

be seen in day-to-day activities throughout our worldwide

and water monitoring.

network of sales, service and manufacturing locations.

From our division headquarters in Houston to our

Cameron management actively works to incorporate

operations in the Eastern Hemisphere, Asia Pacific and

HSE considerations into business decisions by implementing

the Middle East, Cameron has adopted a multi-cultural,

programs designed to protect the health and safety of our

worldwide philosophy that puts HSE first and foremost in

employees, contractors, communities, customers, partners

the minds of our employees. Cameron has invested in the

and the environment.

resources and training required to develop and imple-

At Cameron, a safe and healthy working environment

ment HSE policies, management systems, programs and

is more than a matter of policy. Its a matter of practice.

procedures that ensure a working environment where

In addition to safety programs outlined in the HSE

no one gets hurt and nothing gets harmed.

PRO CESS SYSTEMS

C A M E R O N S G L O B A L P R O C E SS S YS T E M S T EC H N O L O G Y / R& D C E N T E R S
4901 West Sam Houston Parkway North

Sluppenveien 12E

Houston, TX 77041 USA

Trondheim, 7037

Tel 1 713 896 3600

Norway
Tel 47 73 40 17 00

C A M E R O N S P R O C E SS S YS T E M S H E A D Q UA R T E R S
11210 Equity Dr., Suite 100
Houston, TX 77041 USA
Tel 1 713 849 7500
NORTH AND SOUTH AMERICA

EUROPE, AFRICA, CASPIAN, AND RUSSIA

ASIA PACIFIC, MIDDLE EAST, AND INDIA

Brazil

France

India

Rua da Assemblia, 98, 20th Floor

45 Rue Louis Blanc

3rd Fl., Tidel Park, Vilankurichi Road

20011 000 Rio de Janeiro RJ

Courbevoie, 92400

Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 640 014

Brazil

France

India

Tel 33 1 4717 6054

Tel 91 422 3995000

Canada

Italy

6908 42St

Japan

Milan, Italy

Homat Horizon Bldg.

Leduc, AB T9E 0W1

Tel 39 3453 743065

1fl, 6-2 Goban-cho

Canada

andrea.cavara@c-a-m.com

Chiyoda-ku

Tel 55 21 2172 9650

Tel 1 780 986 9803

Russia

Tokyo, Japan
Tel 81 33 288 1901

9423 Shepard Rd. SE

9 Trekhprudny Lane, Building 2

Calgary, AB T2C 4R6

Fifth Floor

Malaysia

Canada

123001

Menara See Hoy Chan

Tel 1 403 236 1850

Moscow, Russia

374 Jalan Tun Razak, Suite 07-08

Tel 7 495 225 1818

Kuala Lumpur 50400

Colombia

Malaysia

Calle 110 No. 9 - 25

United Kingdom

Torre Pacific, Oficina 1008

5 The Heights, Brooklands

Bogota, Colombia

Weybridge

United Arab Emirates

Tel 57 1 7432876

Surrey, KT13 0NY

9th Fl., Al Jazira Office Tower A

England, UK

Muroor Road, PO Box 47280

Tel 44 1932 452000

Abu Dhabi, UAE

Mexico
Calle 31 #173 Local 32
Plaza Camarn
Col. Aviacin
Cd. Del Carmen Campeche, Mxico
Tel 52 938 2861175

ENVIRONME
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HSE Policy Statement

At Cameron, we are committed ethically, financially and personally to a
working environment where no one gets hurt and nothing gets harmed.

MERON

2015 Cameron | PUREMEG is a registered trademark of Cameron. CAMSERV is a trademark of Cameron. | AD01056P

Tel 60 3 9207 9555

Tel 971 2 596 8400