Simulation of CO₂ removal from ethane with Sulfinol-M+AMP solvent instead of DEA solvent in the South Pars phases 9 and 10 gas processing facility

Abstract

Raw gas gathered from well production has to be treated to extract its ethane, to remove carbon dioxide (CO₂) from it and to dry it, so that the send-out ethane gas complies with transport constraints and meets sales-gas specifications. Two distinct families of solvents are used generically for such gas treatment: chemical and physical solvents. The South Pars gas field development phases 9 and 10 feeds gas and natural gas liquids into a processing and fractionation plant (one of the largest gas processing plants in Iran), and is associated with concentrations of 5.37% mole CO₂ in the raw gas produced. Furthermore, there are potential problems associated with the CO₂ treatment, such as the high-energy requirements for amine solvent regeneration, corrosion caused by aqueous amine solvents and waste/losses (solubility, vaporization) of the solvent used to remove CO₂ in the ethane treatment unit.

A feasibility simulation study was conducted to evaluate the utilization of Sulfinol-M + AMP solvent (Sulfolane plus Methyl di-ethanol amine plus 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP) plus H₂O) to replace the aqueous amine solvent (DEA) currently used in the ethane treatment unit of South Pars phases 9 and 10 gas processing plant. The simulation of the Sulfinol-M + AMP process demonstrates less energy consumption (11241.242 kw versus 11290.398 kw for DEA), negligible corrosion and lower losses of solvent (376.493 kg/h versus 409.2421 kg/h) relative to alternative solvents considered, because of its low vapor pressure.

Keywords

CO₂ / Solvent / Sulfinol-M+AMP / DEA / MDEA / Amine / Absorption / Simulation / Sulfolane

Acknowledgments

The Authors wish to acknowledge the valuable contributions of South Pars phases 9 and 10 gas processing and treatment plant (Iran) officials for providing all necessary operating information.

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