Sensitivity analysis of using diethanolamine instead of methyldiethanolamine solution for GASCO’S Habshan acid gases removal plant

Abstract

Sweeting natural gas processes are mainly focused on removing carbon dioxide (CO₂) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). The high-energy requirements and operational limitations make amine absorption process sensitive to any change in conditions. This paper presented a steady-state simulation using Hysys to reasonably predict removal amounts of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from natural gas with the diethanolamine (DEA) solvent. The product specifications are taken from the real plant (GASCO’S Habshan) which uses the methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) solvent, while this simulation uses DEA under the same operation conditions. First, the simulation validation has been checked with the data of the real plant. The results show accurate prediction for CO₂ slippage and accepted agreement for H₂S content compared with the data of the plant. A parametric analysis has been performed to test all possible parameters that affect the performance of the acid gases removal plant. The effects of operational parameters are examined in terms of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide contents in clean gas and reboiler duty.

Keywords

acid gas / diethanolamine / methyldiethanolamine / carbon dioxide capturing / HYSYS simulation

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