Sierra Chemicals

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Midstream Gas Processing

Media
Change-OutServices

Specialized removal and replacement of vessel media in natural gas processing facilities — including Sulfa Treat, mol sieve, activated carbon, and other specialty media — performed safely, efficiently, and with minimal downtime.

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6
Media Types Serviced
6
Step Proven Process
U.S.
Nationwide Rapid Mobilization
1
Single-Source Accountability
What We Do

Four Core Media Change-Out Services

From initial extraction to final reload and waste disposal — Sierra Chemicals provides complete media change-out services under single-source accountability.

Vessel Media Removal
Controlled extraction of spent, degraded, or saturated media from pressure vessels, adsorbers, and towers using vacuum, pneumatic, or manual methods.
Media Reload & Charge
Precise loading of fresh media to manufacturer specifications — including layering sequences, depth verification, and support ball placement per OEM or client requirements.
Hydroblasting
High-pressure water jetting to dislodge hardened, crusted, or bridged media that cannot be removed through conventional vacuuming or pneumatic transfer.
Waste Handling & Disposal
Proper containment, manifesting, and coordination of spent media disposal in compliance with applicable environmental and hazardous material regulations.
Media Types Serviced

Six Media Types We Handle

Each media type presents unique handling challenges — our crews are trained on the specific protocols required for safe removal and disposal of each.

H₂S Scavenger
Sulfa Treat
H₂S scavenger media used in gas sweetening — prone to hardening and bridging when saturated. Requires hydroblasting in many cases for full extraction.
Dehydration
Mol Sieve
Molecular sieve used in gas drying trains — requires careful handling and sock loading techniques to prevent bead degradation during reload.
Adsorption
Activated Carbon
Used for mercury removal and VOC adsorption — can channel or compact over time, requiring controlled extraction and proper PPE protocols throughout.
H₂S Removal
Iron Sponge
Wood chip-based H₂S removal media — highly reactive when spent. Requires strict controlled removal procedures and full respiratory protection and pyrophoric hazard awareness.
Guard Layer
Guard Bed Media
Specialty adsorbents for contaminant guard layers ahead of primary processing vessels — handled per specific client and OEM specifications for each changeout.
Flow Distribution
Support / Inert Balls
Ceramic or alumina support balls replaced as part of a full vessel recharge to restore proper flow distribution and vessel performance post-changeout.
Process Overview

Our 6-Step Change-Out Process

Every media change-out follows Sierra's proven 6-step process — from pre-job planning through documented turnover — ensuring safety, compliance, and zero surprises.

1
Pre-Job Assessment & Planning
Vessel inspection, media condition review, access evaluation, and development of a job-specific work plan including hydroblasting scope if hardened media is suspected.
2
Vessel Isolation & Preparation
Coordination with plant operations for lockout/tagout, purging, and depressurization. Confined space entry permits issued as required by site safety protocols.
3
Media Removal
Extraction using vacuum trucks, pneumatic transfer, or manual shoveling depending on media type and condition. Hydroblasting deployed when material has hardened or bridged against vessel walls or internals.
4
Vessel Interior Inspection & Cleaning
Post-removal wash-down and inspection of vessel internals — screens, support grids, nozzles, and walls — for scale, corrosion, or damage prior to reload.
5
Media Loading & Verification
Fresh media charged to specification, with depth measurements and documentation. Support ball layers, sock loading for mol sieve, and bed leveling performed per OEM or client requirements.
6
Documentation & Turnover
Job completion report including media volumes removed and installed, vessel condition findings, waste manifests, and photos — delivered to client for records and compliance.
Hydroblasting — When It's Needed
When vessel media has compacted, crusted, or chemically hardened — common with spent Sulfa Treat and iron sponge — standard vacuum or pneumatic removal is ineffective. High-pressure hydroblasting breaks up bridged and caked material, allowing full vessel cleanout without damaging internals. Our crews are trained to sequence hydroblasting safely within confined space and hazmat protocols.
Why It Matters

Safety & Operational Benefits

Media change-outs in active gas plant environments demand both rigorous safety protocols and operational discipline. Sierra delivers both on every project.

Safety Considerations
  • Spent H₂S media requires full respiratory protection and pyrophoric hazard awareness
  • Confined space protocols enforced for all manned vessel entry
  • Hydroblast crews trained for high-pressure work in active gas plant environments
  • Waste media properly characterized before transport or disposal
Operational Benefits
  • Restored vessel efficiency and gas quality compliance post-changeout
  • Extended run-life between changeouts through proper loading technique
  • Reduced turnaround time with experienced, gas plant-familiar crews
  • Single-source accountability: removal, cleaning, reload, and waste — one team, one call
Get Started

Ready to Schedule a Media Change-Out?

Our teams operate across the U.S. midstream footprint with rapid mobilization. Whether you need a planned changeout or emergency response, Sierra Chemicals is ready to deploy.

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Contact Sierra Chemicals

Sierra Chemicals, LC · Est. 1995 · Durango, CO — Midstream Oil & Gas Services. Rapid mobilization across the U.S. midstream footprint.

info@sierrachemicals.com
(970) 764-4114
sierrachemicals.com