Techno-Economic Analysis of a Novel Two-Stage Flashing Process for Acid Gas Removal from Natural Gas

Excessive CO2 content will reduce the natural gas calorific value and increase the energy consumption of the regenerator in natural gas desulfurization and decarbonization. This paper uses Aspen HYSYS to model a novel two-stage flash process of acid gas removal process from natural gas. According to the results from the simulation, as well as running experiences in a natural gas processing plant in the middle east, it can be demonstrated that this new process, which has been used in the field of natural gas desulfurization and decarbonization, can meet the requirement of product specifications. Based on the steady state simulation, Aspen HYSYS sensitivity function is used to evaluate influence of key operating parameters, such as the second flash pressure and temperature, on the energy consumption. Compared to the traditional acid gas removal process and acid gas enrichment process, the new two-stage flash acid gas removal process has less energy consumption (2.2 × 109 kJ·h−1). In addition, two-stage flash acid gas removal process also improves the efficiency of acid gas enrichment, while the overall energy consumption is less than combination process of traditional process and acid gas enrichment process.

Study on Desulfurization and Decarbonization Technology of Natural Gas on Bohai Offshore Platform

Based on the latest developments of desulfurization and decarbonization technologies of acidic natural gas, the process characteristics, product purity, consumptions, occupied area, advantages and disadvantages of various desulfurization and decarbonization methods are analyzed and compared, and the adaptability of the methods on offshore platform is fully considered. According to the actual situation of a Bohai offshore gas field, the low temperature separation method is adopted and the desulfurization and decarbonization process is simulated by using HYSYS software, and then the technical scheme is put forward to meet the requirements of the gas turbines on surrounding platforms and the transportation quality index of the southwest Bohai gas supply pipeline network. This research has a certain reference value for technical programs of natural gas desulfurization and decarbonization on similar offshore projects.