Skid Mounted Joule Thomson Plants

Croft Production Systems offers skid-mounted Joule Thomson Plants designed to handle gas streams between 1 to 10 MMcfd. The Joule Thomson Systems, also known as a JT skid or a JT plant, simultaneously reduces the water dew point of gas, recovers valuable hydrocarbon liquids, and lowers the BTU (British Thermal Unit) of the gas stream to sales contract specifications or levels suited for high-speed engines.

These pre-assembled systems are delivered ready to be installed on location and are contained on a single skid. This space-saving system is installed by experienced CROFT personnel, who will make sure everything is running smoothly, and continue to monitor the system on a monthly basis

NATURAL GAS LIQUID (NGL) RECOVERY

CROFT’s Joule Thomson System is designed to recover natural gas liquids (NGLs) which are heavy hydrocarbons. NGLs have a high British Thermal Unit (BTU) and can cause slugging and corrosion in processing equipment, but NGLs are very valuable when recovered and sold separately as a by-product. The amount of NGL’s are measured by gallons per 1,000 cubic feet (gpm), with 1-2 gpm being ‘lean’ or dry, and > 4 gpm being ‘very rich’ or wet. The ‘richer’ the NGL’s, the higher the need for a JT unit, which also lowers the gross heating value and removes hydrates. Learn more about the NGL recovery process. CROFT Joule Thomson System can also be used for conditioning fuel gas. Check out our fuel gas applications page as well as this case study where our JT System was able to prevent derating of compressor engines.

CROFT’S JT PLANT IS DESIGNED TO REMOVE:

  • Propane
  • Butane
  • Pentane
  • Hexane
  • Gas Heavies

CROFT JT UNIT SIZES

  • 2 MMcfd
  • 5 MMcfd
  • 10MMcfd
  • Custom Sizing Available

HOW DOES A JT SKID WORK?

Gas enters the Joule Thomson System and travels through a gas to gas heat exchanger and then a gas-liquid heat exchanger. The gas then passes through the Joule Thomson valve, taking a pressure drop and cooling down to a low of -20°F. Liquid fallout after the Joule Thomson valve is collected in the cold separator and sent to storage tanks. The cold gas then travels back through the heat exchanger and exits the Joule Thomson System.

Joule Thomson Plants typically require a hydrate inhibitor to be injected to prevent freezing and hydrate formation. Methanol is commonly used but cannot be recovered. Mono-ethylene Glycol (MEG) can also be used to prevent hydrate formation and can also be recovered and regenerated.

Croft Every Step of the Way

Maximizing the performance and longevity of your Joule Thomson Plant requires expert support and immediate access to the right replacement parts. CROFT's Certified Service Team delivers professional on-site installation, monthly system monitoring, preventive maintenance, and rapid-response field service for JT skids and Joule Thomson systems across all major natural gas producing regions including the Permian Basin, Eagle Ford, Haynesville, and Appalachian Basin. Our certified technicians are trained to inspect and optimize every critical component of your JT plant, including heat exchangers, Joule Thomson valves, cold separators, hydrate inhibitor injection systems, and NGL recovery equipment, ensuring your system consistently hits dew point specifications and BTU reduction targets. Whether you operate a 2 MMcfd unit or a custom 10 MMcfd skid-mounted Joule Thomson system, the CROFT Certified Service Team has the field experience to keep your natural gas liquid recovery process running efficiently and safely in even the most remote well site locations. Need components to keep your JT skid operating at peak performance? Shop our complete inventory of Joule Thomson Plant parts and supplies at CROFTsupply.com from JT valves and heat exchanger parts to MEG and methanol hydrate inhibitor supplies, all OEM-quality parts built to CROFT specifications.