Concept of Reflux Ratio and its usability in Advanced Regulatory Control

Reflux Ratio (RR) is defined as RR = (Number of moles of Regenerator Reflux) / (Number of moles of dry acid gas product) Practically, constant reflux ratio means that, for any acid gas flow there is an equivalent reboiler duty that drives the acid gas and equivalent portion of solvent water through V-1202 overheads. Therefore, constant reflux ratio means constant ratio between the solvent acid gas loading and H-1204 boilup (duty). Translated into plant operation, constant reflux ratio means constant quality of regenerated solvent. How the RR is calculated? First, the actual mol/hr of Acid Gas in the plant feed is calculated: Acid Gas (mol/hr) = (FC11003*1000) / 22.414 * (AI11025I/100) In calculations for acid gas molar flow, saturation water should not be taken into account. Then, the actual molar flow V-1202 reflux is calculated as well: Reflux (mol/hr) = (FC12076) / (Density(T)*18.05) Reflux density is a function of temperature and is calculated/incorporated into the final equation. Temperature vs. Density graph is shown on one of the attached Excel/PDF files. Important thing to be implemented is Pressure Override (Low and High) when these controls are put in place. This will prevent heater shutdown in case of high or low setpoint to the fuel gas flow controllers from the primary loop (reflux ratio calculation block).

Recommended reflux ratios (in general) for MDEA-based solutions are in the range 0.75 - 1.20 Also, Amine Experts' general guidelines recommend keeping the lean amine loading between 0.005 - 0.010 (mol/mol) so as tu reduce the potential for corrosion in lean amine circuit. BASF do not recommend any particular values for these two parameters, and claim that no corrosion will occur in systems where the proprietary aMDEA solvent is used. Instead, plant testing should be completed and the parameters of amine (rich amine loading, lean amine loading) that result in required acid gas removal levels should be determined. In other words, the optimum lean and rich solvent loading should be determined based on the plant performance test. The minimum required lean amine loading in EG-LNG determines the required reboiler H-1204A/B duty, while the maximum rich amine loading determines the solvent circulation rate.