Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) is a proven technology for separating components of gas streams. PSA uses materials, known as adsorbents, to selectively adsorb specific gas molecules under pressure. Here’s how it works. The PSA method is frequently used in chemical processing, petrochemicals, gas refining, and renewable natural gas (RNG) upgrading processes. PSA is frequently used to purify gas streams of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, and other substances.
PSA technology has been around for several decades, with its development and commercialization dating back to the mid-20th century. Early developments can be traced to the 1950s and 1960s when researchers began exploring the use of adsorption processes for gas separation and purification.
As a result, PSA technology is a proven and reliable method for targeted separation of components from gas streams.
The MaCH4 Innovation – Bringing PSA to NGL Recovery
At ColdStream Energy, we’ve taken PSA and applied it innovatively to process hydrocarbon gases in a patented application of this proven technology – the MaCH4 NGL Recovery Solution.
ColdStream Energy MaCH4 units leverage proven Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) technology. The idea behind PSA for gas separation is pretty straightforward. Imagine you have a mix of gases. When you pass this mix through a special material called an adsorbent, some gaseous hydrocarbons or hydrocarbons stick to its surface more than others. This selective sticking allows the PSA system to capture specific hydrocarbons under high pressure while letting the rest pass through, primarily methane (CH4) for use as lean fuel gas.
After capturing the desired hydrocarbons (typically 60% C2 and 95% C3+ NGLs), the system switches to low pressure to release them from the adsorbent. This process, known as pressure swing adsorption (PSA), leaves you with a valuable heavy hydrocarbon enriched gas stream for monetization downstream. What makes this process unique is that no external heat is required to regenerate the adsorbent, making PSA more energy-efficient than other methods that use heat.
This adaptation allows us to achieve extremely high recovery rates of C3+ hydrocarbons. Instead of burning these valuable hydrocarbons, you can now monetize them effectively. Plus, using the lean, light product produced by PSA as fuel gas significantly reduces volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions compared to traditional fuel gas conditioning methods. It’s a win-win-win for operational efficiency, facility profitability, and environmental performance.
LEARN MORE: MaCH4 Solutions Page
Why It Matters
For the first time, midstream and upstream operators of natural gas gathering, transportation, and well pad facilities have a reliable, simple, and effective way to capture the full value of the natural gas stream. Compressor engines with midstream and upstream operators using NGL-rich fuel gas are burning profits, and constraining capacity resulting in higher emissions and derated performance.
The MaCH4 reliably delivers:
- More NGL Revenue. Capture valuable NGLs instead of burning them up as fuel with cryogenic-like recovery rates at a lower cost, capturing 60% of C2 and an impressive 95% of C3+ heavy hydrocarbons onsite.
- Maximized Compressor Station Capacity. The byproduct of MaCH4’s NGL recovery effectiveness is a consistent supply of lean fuel gas for improving engine performance, maximizing compressor throughput and fee-based revenue.
- Reduced Operating Costs. Engines fueled by MaCH4 produced lean gas run cleaner reducing detonation and associated maintenance, downtime, and long-term ownership costs. Improved efficiency and extended service intervals contribute to long-term cost reductions.
- Lower Emissions, Simplified Permitting. Using pipeline-quality fuel gas supplied by the MaCH4 minimizes VOC emissions, ensuring compliance, helping avoid major source emissions thresholds and simplifying regulatory permitting.
PSA Made Simple
MaCH4 is a compact design with only single-phase power requirements to lower operating costs. Simple process for unattended operations that can be remotely monitored and controlled.
- Low maintenance with minimal operator intervention, over 99% mechanical availability.
- Large 10:1 turndown ratio.
- Handles BTU swings from fluctuating feed gas compositions.
- Cryogenic-like recovery of NGLs without the low temperature requirements (no freeze issues).
- Minimal power requirements (single phase), especially compared to cryogenic processes.
- Recovered heavy hydrocarbons remain in gaseous form (no liquids, no product storage tanks required).
- Requires no chemical consumables to operate (i.e. methanol, glycol, lubricating oil).
- Skid mounted and field transportable.
- Dehydrates the saturated feed gas and recovers heavy hydrocarbons in a single step process.
READ MORE: MaCH4 FAQ
The MaCH4 is in operation today helping maximize NGL profits and facility efficiency.
