Hot Oil vs Glycol/water as heating medium
Hot Oil vs Glycol/water as heating medium
(OP)
I tried posting this in the Chemical Plant Design forum, but perhaps this is a better place. Apologies for cross-posting. My question was as follows:
We are looking at a new offshore oil & gas facility where we want to install a heating medium system. The heat will come from several WHRU on gas turbin outlets. Operating temperature of the system will be around 170°C (340°F), and the proposal is to go for a glycol/water mixture. I have done some work with hot oil systems before, and would have thought that would have been better suited, but naturally I am biased here smile
I have done some searching on the web, and some sources indicate that 170°C is too high for a glycol/water system. Others claim it is OK.
The way I see it, hot oil is less prone to fouling/degrading, can be operated at lower pressures, is inherently inert and hence less likely to cause corrosion. On the down side, it is flammable and more expensive to purchase than glycol/water. Then again,I would presume a glycol/water system would be more labour intensive in terms of operation?
We are looking at a new offshore oil & gas facility where we want to install a heating medium system. The heat will come from several WHRU on gas turbin outlets. Operating temperature of the system will be around 170°C (340°F), and the proposal is to go for a glycol/water mixture. I have done some work with hot oil systems before, and would have thought that would have been better suited, but naturally I am biased here smile
I have done some searching on the web, and some sources indicate that 170°C is too high for a glycol/water system. Others claim it is OK.
The way I see it, hot oil is less prone to fouling/degrading, can be operated at lower pressures, is inherently inert and hence less likely to cause corrosion. On the down side, it is flammable and more expensive to purchase than glycol/water. Then again,I would presume a glycol/water system would be more labour intensive in terms of operation?





RE: Hot Oil vs Glycol/water as heating medium
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RE: Hot Oil vs Glycol/water as heating medium
Yes, the pressure for water glycol will be higher.
Flammability may be the biggest thing in favor, though the high heat capacity will also allow a smaller system.
Both systems will require some monitoring and addition of corrosion inhibitors, though a lot less with oil.
You might look around, there are other aqueous systems other than glycol that might be a better fit at this temp.
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RE: Hot Oil vs Glycol/water as heating medium
RE: Hot Oil vs Glycol/water as heating medium
One can also produce power for working fluids at 170 C- there is now available compact power systems using supercritical CO2 as the working fluid, designed for use aboard a ship. And there is o fire hazard with CO2, but it will cause asphyxia if it leaks from an indoor system.
"Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad "
RE: Hot Oil vs Glycol/water as heating medium
TTFN

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Need help writing a question or understanding a reply? forum1529: Translation Assistance for Engineers
Of course I can. I can do anything. I can do absolutely anything. I'm an expert!