LEAN OIL ABSORBERS
TRAINING FOR PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE
This manual is one of a series for your use
in learning more about equipment that you
work with in the petroleum industry. Its pur-
pose is to assist in developing your knowl-
edge and skills to the point that you can
perform your work in a more professional
manner.
The manual was prepared so that you can
learn its contents on your own time, without
the assistance of an instructor or classroom
discussion. Educators refer to learning by
self-study as Programmed Learning. It is a
method widely used in all industries as a
means of training employees to do their job
properly and teach them how to perform higher
rated jobs.
You can demonstrate your desire to be a
professional by taking a positive attitude to-
ward learning the contents of this manual and
others that are applicable to your job.
The author of this manual has years of
experience in operating petroleum equipment.
He also has the technical knowledge of how
and why petroleum equipment functions.
The text was written for use by personnel with
little or no previous experience with petro-
leum equipment. Consequently, some of the
material may be familiar to you if you have
experience with oilfield equipment. From such
experience, you have observed the effect of
making operating changes. The manual will
help explain why the changes occurred that
you observed. It will also teach you how and
why equipment functions.
© 2003 Petroleum Learning Programs Ltd. No part of this manual may be reproduced in any form. Its use as a
reference in training courses is specifically reserved for Petroleum Learning Programs Ltd. All translation rights are
likewise reserved.
LEAN OIL ABSORBERS
In order for you to learn the contents of the
manual, you must dig out the pertinent facts
and relate them to the subject. Simply reading
the material and answering the questions is
not enough. The more effort you make to
learn the material, the more you will learn from
the manual.
Teaching yourself requires self-discipline
and hard work. In order to prepare yourself for
the sacrifice you will have to make, you should
set goals for yourself. Your ultimate goal is to
perform your work in a more professional
manner. Training is one step in reaching that
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Seeking answers to questions is a third.
Once you have established your final goal,
you must determine the means for reaching
that goal. You may decide, for example, that
you must complete a series of 10 to 15 manu-
als to get the basic knowledge and skills you
need. After you decide which training material
is required, you should set a time table for
completing each section of the material.
Achieving your final goal may take more
than a year, and will require hours of hard
work on your part. You will know you have
achieved your goal when you understand
how and why to operate oilfield equipment in
order to obtain the maximum product at the
lowest cost. Your sacrifice will have been
worth-while from the satisfaction of knowing
that you can perform your job in a methodical
professional manner, instead of a trial-and-
error approach.
 INSTRUCTIONS FOR USING THIS MANUAL
This your manual. You should write your
name on the cover. Upon completion you will
find it helpful to keep it in an accessible place
for future reference.
Problems are included throughout the text.
The solutions to the problems are given at the
end of the book.
The manual is used in training programs
all over the world. In some countries, English
units of measurement such as feet, gallons,
pounds, etc, are used. In other countries,
Systems Internationale (SI) or Metric units,
such as meters, liters, kilograms, etc., are
used. In order for the manual to be of maxi-
mum use, both SI and English units are shown.
The SI unit always appears first, and the
English unit follows in brackets [ ]. Example:
the temperature is 25°C [77°F]. The English
equivalent of the SI unit will be rounded off to
the nearest whole number to simplify the text
and examples. A distance of 10 m may be
shown as 33 ft whereas the exact equivalent
is 32.81 ft.
If you are working in English units, you
may find it helpful to mark out the parts that
are in SI units and vice versa.
Some of the Figures have units of meas-
urement. In such cases, two figures are in-
cluded. The first one is in SI units, and the
second-figure will be on the next page and will
have English units. Each figure is identified
with SI or English units. Be sure you use the
figures in the units you are working in.
The following procedure is recommended
for using this manual:
1. Turn to Page 1. Read the material until
you come to the first problem or ques-
tion.
2. Work the first problem or answer the
question and enter the answer in the
proper space in ink. If the problem or
question is shown in both SI and En-
glish Units of measurement, answer
only the part in units of measurement
that you use.
3. Compare your answer with that shown
at the end of the book; be sure to use
solutions to the problems in the units
you are working in.
If your answer is correct, continue read-
ing until you come to the next problem
and work it. If not, restudy the manual
until you understand the reason for
your error. Rework the problem if
necesary. Leave your wrong answer
and note the correct one. This will keep
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later on.
4. Proceed stepwise as shown above
until you have completed the text.
The above approach will require thought,
making mistakes, and rethinking the situ-
ation. Concenrate on two things — the how
and why. Do not cheat yourself by taking
short-cuts or looking up the answers in ad-
vance. It saves time and errors but produces
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not on how rapidly you proceed through this
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you make are private.
A validation or test covering the entire
manual is included at the back of the book.
Answers will be sent to your supervisor or
training director at their request at no cost.
LEAN OIL ABSORBERS
 ABBREVIATIONS USED UNITS OF MEASUREMENT
IN THIS MANUAL
SI UNITS OF MEASUREMENT
SI UNIT ABBREVIATIONS
Most of the SI units of measurement used in the
oilfield are traditional metric units. The exceptions we
s, min second, minute, time
are concerned with are pressure and heat units. The
h, d hours, day time
SI pressure unit is kilopascal; the heat units are joule
mm millimeter length and watt. A watt equals 1 joule per second. Coversions
cm centimeter length from traditional metric units to SI units are as follows:
m meter length
m2 square meter area METRIC SI
CONVERSION
m3 cubic meter volume UNIT UNIT
m3/d cubic meters per day volume rate Pressure bar kilopascal, kPa kPa = bar x 100
l liter volume joule, J or J = cal x 4.2
Heat calorie
g, kg gram, kilogram weight watt, W W = J ÷ time, sec.
Pa, kPa pascal, kilopascal pressure
kPa(a) kilopascal absolute pressure
MPa megapascal pressure
bar bar (1 bar = 100 kPa) pressure
STANDARD CONDITIONS
J, kJ joule, kilojoule heat, work FOR GAS
MJ megajoule (J x 106) heat, work
W,kW watt, kilowatt power Measurement units for gas volume are cubic meters
per day (m3) or thousands of cubic feet per day (Mcf/
ENGLISH UNIT ABBREVIATIONS d). The letters st or s are sometimes used with the
units to designate volume at standard temperature
s, min second, minute time and pressure: m3d (st) or Mscf/d. In this manual,
h, d hour, day time standard volumes are corrected to a temperature of
in, ft inch, foot length 15°C and a pressure of 101.325 kPa(a), or 60°F and
sq in square inch area 14.7 psia.
sq ft square foot area
cu ft cubic foot volume To simplify the text, the letters st and s are omitted.
gal gallon volume However, all gas volumes shown are at standard
bbl barrel (42 US gal) volume conditions unless specifically stated otherwise.
BPD barrels per day volume rate
lb pound weight
psi lbs per square inch pressure
psia lbs per sq in absolute pressure HEAT CAPACITY AND
Btu British thermal unit heat RELATIVE DENSITY
MBtu thousand Btu heat
MMBtu million Btu heat
Specific heat and specific gravity are traditional
W, kW watt, kilowatt electric power terms that have been used in both Metric and English
hp horsepower mechanical power units for many years. These names are being re-
cf/d cubic feet per day gas flow rate placed with the terms: heat capacity and relative
Mcf/d thousand cf/d gas flow rate density. The new names are used in this manual.
MMcf/d million cf/d gas flow rate When you see the term heat capacity (Ht Cap), it will
M thousand have the same meaning as specific heat, and relative
MM million density (Rel Dens) means specific gravity.

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ...................................................................................................................... 1
I. DESCRIPTION OF ABSORBER ................................................................................... 2
II. PRINCIPLES OF ABSORPTION .................................................................................. 6
A. Flow Description ...................................................................................................... 6
B. Principles of Hydrocarbon Recovery by Absorption ................................................. 9
C. Lean Oil Loss in Absorber Outlet Gas ................................................................... 11
1. Reabsorber ....................................................................................................... 15
D. Lean Oil Composition ............................................................................................. 15
1. Lean Oil Distillation ........................................................................................... 17
E. Lean Oil/Gas Mixing Stages .................................................................................. 20
F. Heat of Vaporization of Hydrocarbons ................................................................... 23
1. Lean Oil Pre-Saturator ...................................................................................... 24
G. Absorber Capacity ................................................................................................. 27
H. Puking and Carryover ............................................................................................ 29
III. OPERATION AND CONTROL .................................................................................... 31
A. Start-Up Sequence ................................................................................................ 31
B. Shut Down ............................................................................................................. 31
C. Routine Operating Checks ..................................................................................... 31
D. Control ................................................................................................................... 32
1. Gas and Lean Oil Temperature ........................................................................ 32
2. Lean Oil Flow .................................................................................................... 32
3. Lean Oil Purity .................................................................................................. 32
E. Presaturator Control ............................................................................................... 38
F. Operation with Refrigeration System Shut Down ................................................... 38
IV. TROUBLESHOOTING ................................................................................................ 40
A. Failure to Absorb Proper Quantity of Hydrocarbons .............................................. 40
B. Foaming or Carryover ............................................................................................ 40
VALIDATION - SI UNITS ....................................................................................................... 41
SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS - SI UNITS ............................................................................. 42
VALIDATION - ENGLISH UNITS ........................................................................................... 43
SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS - ENGLISH UNITS ................................................................. 44

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

 DRAWINGS, EXAMPLES, AND GRAPHS

Absorber .................................................................................................................. 2, 7, 24
Packing in Absorber ............................................................................................................. 3, 4
Trays in Absorber ..................................................................................................................... 5
Flow on Trays ........................................................................................................................... 8
Lean Oil Loss in Absorber Outlet Gas .................................................................................... 12
Lean Oil Loss in Absorber Outlet Gas - Example .................................................................. 13
Reabsorber .......................................................................................................................... 15
Isomers of Octane .................................................................................................................. 16
Lean Oil Distillation ................................................................................................................ 18
Type of Lean Oil from 50% Boil-Off Temperature .................................................................. 19
One Mixing Stage ................................................................................................................... 20
Two Mixing Stages ................................................................................................................. 21
Example of Tray Efficiency ..................................................................................................... 22
Example of Packing Height .................................................................................................... 22
Temperature Rise in Absorber ............................................................................................... 24
Presaturator .......................................................................................................................... 25
Absorber Capacity Curves ..................................................................................................... 28
Burping or Puking ................................................................................................................... 29
Simplified Flow Diagram of Lean Oil System ......................................................................... 33
Lean Oil Distillation Curves - SI Units .................................................................................... 35
Lean Oil Distillation Curves - English Units ............................................................................ 36

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

 LEAN OIL ABSORBERS
INTRODUCTION
Natural gas produced from a gas or oil well
is a mixture of several hydrocarbons ranging
from fuel gas to gasoline. 85-95% of the gas
is methane, which is the main component of
commercial fuel gas. The balance is ethane,
propane, butane and gasoline called heavy
ends. The heavy ends have a greater value
as products than their value as fuel gas.
Consequently, they are usually removed from
the gas in a gas plant.
Prior to 1970, most gas plants used an
absorption process to remove heavy ends
from the gas. Many of the plants are still in
operation. Most newer plants use a low tem-
perature process to remove heavy ends.
In this manual, we will discuss absorbers,
which are one of the major items of equipment
in the absorption process plant.
An absorber is a vessel in which liquid
and gas are mixed, and part of the gas is
absorbed by the liquid. We will confine our
study to that of absorbers in gasoline plants.
In this service, one hydrocarbon (lean oil) is
used to absorb other hydrocarbons from a
gas stream. Lean oil is a term for a liquid
hydrocarbon having properties similar to
naphtha or paint thinner. The term has been
in use over 75 years, even though it is not an
oil in the usual sense of the word.
Quite often, we refer to towers in gas
1
dehydration and sweetening plants as ab-
sorbers or contactors. In such plants, an impu-
rity that is not a hydrocarbon is removed from
the gas with a chemical solution. In a dehydra-
tion plant, glycol removes water from gas; in a
sweetening plant, an amine solution removes
H2S and CO2 from gas. The vessel in which
the chemical and gas are mixed to selectively
remove impurities from the gas is a contactor,
although it is often called an absorber.
You may have two or more towers in your
plant filled with pellets or beads that are used
to remove water or some other impurity from
gas, propane or instrument air. These are
often referred to as absorption towers or ab-
sorbers. Towers containing pellets of molecu-
lar sieves or alumina or other solid materials
are not absorbers in the technical sense. The
pellets remove water or other components
from the gas because they have a sort of
magnetic attraction for the components. The
components removed do not dissolve in the
pellets, but merely stick to the surface just as
water will be soaked up in a sponge. This
process has the technical name of adsorp-
tion, and if we want to be proper, we would call
the towers adsorbers.
The name you use to call the vessels is not
important, as long as you understand what is
happening inside the vessel.
LEAN OIL ABSORBERS
2 I. DESCRIPTION OF ABSORBER

A drawing of a typical Absorber is shown The vessel is a cylindrical shell with heads
below. The major components are the vessel attached to each end. Most Absorbers in the
and the trays. petroleum industry operate at fairly high pres-
sures. All metal seams are welded
OUTLET GAS
together, and the design and fabri-
cation of the vessel must be in accor-
dance with rigid specifications for
pressure vessels. The thickness of
the vessel includes a high margin of
Mist Pad
safety against rupture from internal
LEAN OIL pressure or bending from high winds.
The vessel part of almost all Ab-
sorbers is made of steel. If corrosion
is anticipated, the inside of the ves-
Trays sel can be lined with a thin layer of
corrosive resistant material such as
monel or stainless steel.
Each nozzle on the vessel is at-
Vessel tached in a specified manner so that
it will not pull out, or bend the vessel
plate when pipe is attached to the
nozzle.
Most vessels that are 1 m [36 in.]
INLET GAS in diameter or larger have a manway
at the bottom of the vessel, and often
one at the top, that a man (usually a
Level
small one) can enter and inspect and
Controller
repair the inside of the vessel.
The trays are the other major part
of an Absorber. Two types of trays
are commonly used: a valve type or
RICH OIL bubble caps. The Figure on page 5
shows examples of each. The valves
ABSORBER can be circular or rectangular, de-

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

 DESCRIPTION OF ABSORBER 3

pending upon the supplier. Selection of valves 1. Structured type

or bubble caps is usually a matter of cost. 2. Loose type
Valves have a little higher efficiency than The structured type is a relatively new
bubble caps at low gas rates. material. It is normally made of steel, although
The trays are usually made of steel. They special metals can be used in corrosive ser-
can be welded to the vessel, or bolted to a vice. The material is fabricated in sections
support ring that is welded to the vessel. which will pass through manholes. They are
Trays having a diameter of 75 cm [30 in.] or installed so that the flow pattern is different
more are usually made in 40 to 46 cm [16 to from that of the sections above and below it to
18 in.] wide sections so that they can be prevent the likelihood of channeling.
replaced through a manway in the tower. Structured packing is usually more effi-
Trays in towers having a diameter more than cient and has a greater capacity than trays.
1 m [36 in.] usually have a square section in The tower can be smaller. It is often used to
the center of the tray that is held in place with replace trays in order to increase the capacity
clamps that can be released from the top or of a tower.
bottom of the tray. The opening is for ac- The disadvantage of this packing is that it
cess from above or below. is an excellent filter, and will plug if the feed
Trays usually have two or more weep contains solid particles.
holes that are simply 0.5 to 1 cm [1/4 to 1/2 in.]
diameter holes that allow liquid on the
trays to drain when the tower is shut down.
The opposite drawing shows 8 trays
in the tower. However, most Absorbers
have 20-30 trays.
An efficient mist pad is often installed
above the top tray. It is made of wire mesh
in a thickness of 150-200 mm [6-8 in.]. Its
function is to remove droplets of liquid in
the gas flowing out the top of the vessel.
In some Absorbers, packing is used
instead of trays. Two types of packing are
used:

STRUCTURED PACKING

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

4 PACKING USED IN ABSORBERS

Gas Out

SLOTTED RINGS
Liquid In Liquid
Distributor
Packing
Restrainer

Shell Random
Tower
Packing

RASHIG RINGS
Liquid
Redistributor

Packing Gas In BERYL SADDLES

Support
Liquid
Out

DETAIL OF TOWER WITH

TWO PACKED SECTIONS

PLASTIC SADDLES
TYPES OF PACKING

LOOSE TYPE PACKING USED IN TOWERS

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

 TRAYS USED IN ABSORBERS 5

BUBBLE CAP
TRAY

VALVE TRAY

Valve
Tray

Downcomer

Bubble
Cap
Tray Tray Installation
In Tower

TRAY INSTALLATION IN TOWER

TRAYS USED IN TOWERS

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

6 PRINCIPLES OF ABSORPTION

Loose packing is often used in towers
having a diameter less than 600 mm [24 in.]
diameter. It can be made of steel, plastic or
ceramic, depending upon the corrosiveness
of the liquid in the tower. Care must be taken
in filling the vessel to assure uniform installa-
tion so that channeling does not occur.
Both types of packing require a liquid dis-
tribution system at the top of the tower, and a
rigid support system at the bottom.
Selection of packing or trays is usually a
matter of economics. The packed towers are
usually cheaper for towers less than 60 cm [24
in.] in diameter. The tray towers are often less
expensive in larger sizes.

Problem 1

Match items in the column on the right with the equipment on the left.

_______ 1. Trays a. Corrosion protection

_______ 2. Manway b. Bubble caps

_______ 3. Mist pad c. Liquid distribution header

_______ 4. Monel lining d. Remove lean oil from outlet gas

_______ 5. Packing e. Internal inspection

II. PRINCIPLES OF ABSORPTION

A. Flow Description

Refer to the opposite Figure to follow the
flow in the tower.
Inlet gas enters the tower below the bot-
tom tray and flows up the tower. It bubbles
through the liquid on each tray, and some
heavy hydrocarbons in the gas are absorbed
in the liquid. Most of the heavy hydrocarbons
are removed from the gas that leaves the top
tray. It may contain some entrained liquid,
which coalesces into drops in the mist pad.
The liquid drops fall to the tray below, and gas
passes out the top tray.
Lean oil enters the top tray and flows down
the vessel, absorbing hydrocarbons from the

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

 FLOW IN ABSORBER 7

gas on each tray. Liquid flowing from the Deethanizer.

bottom tray contains hydrocarbons removed The Absorber has trays or packing in which
from the gas. It is called rich oil. It collects in the vapors flowing up the tower mix with the
the bottom and is withdrawn with a level liquid flowing down. Refer to the figure on
controller and flows to a Demethanizer or page 8 to follow the flow pattern on a tray.

OUTLET GAS

LEAN OIL

Flow
Indicator

INLET GAS
Level
Controller

RICH OIL

ABSORBER

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

8 FLOW ON TRAYS

Liquid flows down the downcomer from
the tray above and flows across the tray and
spills over the weir into the downcomer to the
next tray. The weir maintains a level of liquid
on the tray 50 to 75 mm [2 to 3 in.] deep. Note
that the bottom of the downcomer is below the
liquid level on the tray to seal the space
behind the downcomer so that vapor will not
flow up the downcomer and by-pass the tray.
Gas flowing up the tower flows through the
riser on the bubble cap and around the cap
and bubbles through the liquid on the tray. On

DOWNCOMER
RETAINING BUBBLE CAP
BOLT AND NUT LIQUID
FLOW

WEIR

RISER

VAPOR
DOWNCOMER FLOW

VALVE

VALVE RETAINING
TRAY EAR

FLOW ON TRAYS

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

 PRINCIPLES OF HYDROCARBON RECOVERY
BY ABSORPTION
valve trays, gas lifts the valve and bubbles
through the liquid. The function of the valves
or bubble caps is to disperse the gas so that
it flows evenly through the liquid rather than
blow through in a slug. The valves are made
so that as the gas flow increases, the valves
lift higher and allow more gas to pass.
Both bubble cap and valve trays are shown
on page 8 for illustrative purposes. An actual
tower would have either bubble caps or valves,
but not both.
Where packing is used instead of trays,
the vapor-liquid mixing is continuous through-
out the packing. The shape of the packing
causes the downflowing liquid and upflowing
vapor to disperse so that intimate mixing of
the two will occur.
B. Principles of Hydrocarbon Recovery
by Absorption
Natural gas which flows from a gas well is
a mixture of hydrocarbons. Gas produced
9
from oil wells or from distillation of crude oil is
also a mixture of hydrocarbons. A typical gas
composition and the most economic uses of
the components are shown in the table below.
Methane is the lightest component in the
gas. The other hydrocarbons are heavier than
methane. They are often referred to as heavy
ends. The heavy ends have a greater value
as pure components than they do as fuel gas.
Consequently, it is desirable to remove them
from the gas.
The most common methods for removing
heavy ends from gas are:
1. By chilling the gas. The entire gas stream
will liquefy at atmospheric pressure if it is
chilled to a temperature of -162°C [-260°F].
About 80% of the ethane and 100% of the
propane and heavier hydrocarbons will
condense if the gas is chilled to a tempera-
ture of -101°C [-150°F]. These are typical
operating temperatures in a cryogenic
gas plant.

GAS COMPOSITION AND COMMERCIAL USE

COMPONENT % IN GAS COMMERCIAL USE
Nitrogen and CO2
Methane, C1
1.0
89.0 { Residential and
Industrial Fuel{
Ethane, C2 7.2 Petrochemicals
Propane, C3 2.0 Rural Home Fuel
Butane, C4
Gasoline, C5+
0.6
0.2 { Auto Fuel

100.0

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

10 PRINCIPLES OF HYDROCARBON RECOVERY
BY ABSORPTION
2. By absorption in a stream of lean oil. entering an absorption plant is propane. We
want to absorb as much of it as possible. (If
Many gasoline plants use a combination
maximum ethane recovery was our goal, a
of chilling and absorption to recover heavy
cryogenic process would be used). Ideally,
ends from the gas stream. Gas is cooled to a
the absorption plant would recover 100% of
moderate temperature level, -15 to -40°C [5 to
the propane and heavier hydrocarbons from
-40°F], and the cool gas then passes through
the gas, and none of the methane. However,
an Absorber, where most of the remaining
the nature of hydrocarbons is such that when
heavy ends are removed.
propane is absorbed in lean oil, some meth-
Selection of the absorption process or the
ane and ethane will also be absorbed. Fur-
cryogenic process for heavy ends removal is
thermore, when propane absorption increases,
based upon the desired ethane recovery from
the quantity of methane and ethane absorp-
the gas. Over 80% of the ethane can be
tion also increases.
recovered in a cryogenic plant, whereas maxi-
Methane recovery is not desirable. Meth-
mum recovery in an absorption plant is usu-
ane which is absorbed must be removed by
ally less than 50%. The operating expense of
fractionation in a Demethanizer, and com-
a cryogenic plant is usually considerably
pressed to residue gas pressure so that it exits
greater than that of an absorption plant. The
the plant in the outlet gas stream.
cryogenic process is usually selected when
Ethane recovery may or may not be desir-
ethane has a high value. The absorption
able, depending upon it value. If it has a low
process is selected when the value of ethane
value, it must also be removed from the ab-
does not justify the additional operating ex-
sorbed product and compressed to residue
pense of a cryogenic plant.
gas pressure.
In absorption plants, the principle hydro-
The point is that increasing propane re-
carbon we want to remove from the gas is
covery also increases methane recovery, and
propane. If we remove at least 70% of the
the cost for rejecting it.
propane from the gas, we will also remove
Up to this point, we have not mentioned
essentially 100% of the butanes and gaso-
recovery of butane and gasoline from the gas.
line, and also 15 - 25% of the ethane.
The reason for this is that recovery of these
The heavy ends in the inlet gas are in a
hydrocarbons is almost 100%, so that a change
vapor state. In the absorption process, they
in propane recovery will have very little effect
dissolve in a liquid hydrocarbon. They change
on butane and gasoline recovery.
from a vapor state to a liquid state.
In the absorption process, heavy ends in
As we said, the key component in the gas
the gas are absorbed in a stream of lean oil.

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

 PRINCIPLES OF ABSORPTION
Lean oil is a liquid hydrocarbon. We want to
select a lean oil that will give the maximum
recovery at the lowest cost. To put it another
way, we want each liter [gallon] of lean oil to
absorb the maximum quantity of heavy ends.
Let's review our hydrocarbon chemistry.
You recall methane - C1 - has one carbon
atom; ethane - C2 - has two carbon atoms;
propane - C3 - has three; butane - C4 - has four,
and so on. The ideal absorption oil is one that
has one more carbon atom than the gas it is
absorbing. For example, the ideal lean oil to
remove propane from gas is butane. We want
to absorb a number of hydrocarbons from the
gas; we want to get the propane, butane, and
gasoline, which is a mixture of C5, C6 and C7.
In some cases we also want to remove the
ethane. It would appear that the best lean oil
would be a mixture of propane, butane, gaso-
line and octane.
There is a hitch to using such a mixture.
We can't remove propane from the gas with a
liquid that contains propane; and butane won't
be removed with a liquid that contains butane.
Consequently, the lean oil should not contain
any of the components we want to remove
from the gas. Thus, if the heaviest component
in the gas is C6, the ideal lean oil is C7.
You are probably wondering why C7 is
better than C8 or some other hydrocarbon with
more than 8 carbon atoms? The reason is that
1 liter [1 gallon] of C7 will absorb about 10%
more heavy ends from the gas than 1 liter [1
gallon] of C8; and C8 will absorb 10% more
11
heavy ends than C9, and so on. Thus, in order
to get the most absorption with the least lean
oil circulation, we must use a lean oil with the
fewest number of carbon atoms. The ideal
lean oil is one that has one more carbon
atom than the heaviest component in the
gas.
The gas entering most gasoline plants
contains some hydrocarbons with 8 or more
carbon atoms. It would appear that the best
lean oil would be one with 9 or more carbon
atoms. In non-refrigerated gas plants, the
lean oil is usually kerosene, which is a mixture
of hydrocarbons having properties similar to
C14.
In refrigerated gasoline plants, almost all
of the C7 and heavier hydrocarbons condense
when the gas is chilled prior to its entry to the
Absorber. Thus, the heaviest hydrocarbon
remaining in the gas entering the Absorber is
usually C6. The ideal lean oil is C7, heptane,
which has one more carbon atom than the
heaviest component in the gas.
C. Lean Oil Loss in Absorber Outlet Gas
As the gas flowing up the Absorber reaches
the top trays, most of the heavy ends have
been removed from it. The gas at the top of the
Absorber can be visualized as a sponge that
has been squeezed to remove water from it.
The dry sponge will absorb water that it con-
tacts. In a similar manner, dry gas at the top of
the Absorber will pick-up some lean oil, which
will vaporize and leave in the outlet gas.
LEAN OIL ABSORBERS
12 LEAN OIL LOSS IN ABSORBER OUTLET GAS
30 000
SI UNITS

LEAN OIL IN ABSORBER OUTLET GAS

L/MILLION M AT 4800 kPa
20 000 86
.=
.W
M
3

, C6
NE
XA
HE 0
10
10 000 .=
.W
C 7 , M
N E,
PTA
HE
.= 114
, C8 M.W
OCTANE
28
M.W. = 1
N ONANE , C
9
0
-30° -20° -10° 0°
ABSORBER TOP TEMPERATURE, °C
175
ENGLISH UNITS
LEAN OIL IN ABSORBER OUTLET GAS, GAL/MMcf AT 700 psi

150

125

= 86
100
. W.
M
, C6
NE
XA
75 HE

50 00
.=1
C M.W 7
NE ,
H EPTA
25 . = 114
8 M.W
OCTANE, C .W. = 128
N O NANE , C 9 M

0
-30° -20° -10° 0° 10° 20°
ABSORBER TOP TEMPERATURE, °F

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

 LEAN OIL LOSS IN ABSORBER OUTLET GAS 13

The quantity of lean oil that vaporizes approximate quantity of lean oil that vaporizes
depends upon the temperature at the top of and leaves in the outlet gas at a pressure of
the tower, and the number of carbon atoms in 4800 kPa [700 psi].
the lean oil. The opposite graphs show the
Example
The Absorber in a refrigerated gasoline plant operates at 4800 kPa [700 psi] and the top
temperature is -18°C [0°F]. Gas flow rate is 1.4 million m 3/d [50 MMcf/d]. Production of
C 3 is 150 000 L/d [40 000 gal/d]. Lean oil is a hydrocarbon having properties similar to
C 8. Determine whether or not C 7 is a more cost effective lean oil. Assume the following:
C3 production will be 10% more with C7 than with C8.
Net profit from C3 is 0.0265 US dollars per liter [$0.10/gal].
Value of lean oil is 0.2 US dollars/liter [$0.75/gal].

SI UNITS ENGLISH UNITS

Absorber top temperature -18°C 0°F
Lean oil loss using C7 (Graph) 5000 L/million m3 @ -18°C 37 gal/MMcf @ 0°F
Lean oil loss using C8 (Graph) 2250 L/million m3 @ -18°C 16 gal/MMcf @ 0°F
Difference 2750 L/million m3 21 gal/MMcf
Gas flow rate 1.4 million m3/d 50 MMcf/d
Increase in lean oil 2750 x 1.4 21 x 50
loss using C7 instead of C8 = 3850 L/d = 1050 gal/d
Lean oil value $0.2/L $0.75/gal
Daily cost of using C7 0.2 x 3850 0.75 x 1050
instead of C8 = $770/d = $788/d

If we used C9 for lean oil, the lean oil loss
in outlet gas would be about 300 dollars per
day less than that with C8 lean oil, but product
recovery would be about $400/d less, so the
net effect would be a loss of $100/d.
You can see from the above that it is not an
easy matter to select the lean oil that provides
the most economic combination of high prod-
uct recovery and low lean oil loss in the outlet
gas. Furthermore, the values of lean oil and
products will vary from one plant to another,
and from summer to winter.
You may wonder why the C7 and heavier
components in the inlet gas condense when
the gas is chilled, and the same components
will be picked-up by the gas in the top of the

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

14 LEAN OIL LOSS IN ABSORBER OUTLET GAS

SI UNITS ENGLISH UNITS

C3 production with C8 150 060 L/d 40 000 gal/d
% increase in production with C7 10% 10%
10 10
Daily production increase with C7 x 150 000 x 40 000
100 100
= 15 000 L/d = 4000 gal/d
Profit from C3 $0.0265/L $0.10 gal
Increase in profit from C3 0.0265 x 15 000 0.10 x 4000
using C7 for lean oil = $398/d = $400/d
Increase in lean oil cost using C7 $770/d $785/d
Net loss from using C7 770 - 398 785 - 400
= $372/d = $385/d

Absorber. At a given temperature and pres-
sure, gas will hold so much heavy hydrocar-
bons. It will selectively hold more ethane and
propane than heavier hydrocarbons. How-
ever, when the ethane and propane are re-
moved (as they are in the absorber) the gas
will hold more heavier hydrocarbons. Another
reason the gas will pick up lean oil is that the
gas temperature at the top of the absorber is
5 - 11°C [10 - 20°F] higher than its tempera-
ture out of the chiller. Warm gas will hold more
heavy ends than cold gas.

Problem 2
Gas leaves an Absorber at a temperature of -10°C [14°F]. Flow rate is 2 million m3/d [70 MMcf/d]. The
volume of lean oil loss per day using C7 is _______. Loss with C8 is _______________.

1. Reabsorber

Refrigerated gasoline plants having a ca-
pacity of 7 million m3/d [250 MMdf/d] or more
often have a second Absorber to recover lean
oil from the gas leaving the first one. The
second Absorber is often called a Reabsorber
or Sponge Oil Absorber. It usually has 2 - 6
trays, and the lean oil is a hydrocarbon with 10
- 12 carbon atoms. It is often mounted on top
of the main Absorber. With this arrangement,
lean oil to the primary Absorber can be C6 or
C7 which recovers the maximum heavy ends
from the gas. The lean oil that leaves the top

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

 PRINCIPLES OF ABSORPTION 15

OUTLET GAS
of the main Absorber in the
outlet gas is absorbed in the
Reabsorber. Since the lean oil
to the Reabsorber has 10 - 12
carbon atoms, very little of it REABSORBER
LEAN OIL, C10
will vaporize and leave in resi-
due gas. REABSORBER

D. Lean Oil Composition

Chimney Level
Regardless of the type of Controller

lean oil that is used, it is a

mixture of a number of hydro- REABSORBER
RICH OIL
carbons. The lean oil is often
specified as one having a cer- MAIN ABSORBER
LEAN OIL -C7
tain relative molecular mass or
molecular weight.
If you are familiar with the
MAIN
chemical structure of hydrocar-
ABSORBER
bons, you know that there are
many arrangements of atoms
in hydrocarbons having 4 or
more carbon atoms. The next
page indicates some of the iso-
mers of octane. Each is an
octane because it has 8 carbon INLET GAS
Level
atoms. However, because the Controller
atoms are arranged differently,
they have different boiling
points and relative densities. MAIN ABSORBER
The molecular weight of each RICH OIL

is the same. The absorptive

ABSORBER WITH REABSORBER
capacity of each isomer is about
the same. Thus, the recovery of heavy ends concentration of one isomer or another in a
from the gas is not affected by a higher mixture of isomers.

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

16 ISOMERS OF OCTANE
H H H H H H H H

H C C C C C C C C H

H H H H H H H H
NORMAL OCTANE - C8
Boiling Point = 126°C [258°F] Relative Density = 0.707

H H

H C H H C H
H H H H H H H H H H

H C C C C C C C H H C C C C C H

H H H H H H H H H H H
Boiling Point = 116°C [241°F] Rel Dens = 0.7029 H C H

H Boil Pt = 114°C [237°F]

Rel Dens = 0.7078 H C H
H C H
H
H H H H H H

H C C C C C C C H H H

H H H H H H H H C H H C H

Boil Pt = 122°C [222°F] Rel Dens = 0.7161 H H H

H
H C C C C C H

H H H H H H
C
H C H
H H H H H H
Boil Pt = 99°C [211°F]
H H H Rel Dens = 0.6918
C C C C C C C

H H H H H H H
H
Boil Pt = 118°C [244°F] Rel Dens = 0.7211
H C H
H H H H H H H

H C H H C H H C C C C C C H
H H H H
H H H H H
H C C C C C C H H C H

H H H H H H H
Boil Pt = 108°C [227°F] Rel Dens = 0.6985 Boil Pt = 116.5°C [242°F] Rel Dens = 0.7211

ISOMERS OF OCTANE

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

 LEAN OIL COMPOSITION 17

When we speak of octane or lean oil
having a molecular weight of 114, we are
actually referring to a mixture of hydrocarbons
that has properties similar to pure N-octane
(see opposite drawing for atomic arrange-
ment). Furthermore, since the mixture con-
tains hydrocarbons with different boiling
points, it will not boil at a single temperature
as a pure component does. It will start boiling
at approximately the temperature of the low-
est boiling component and continue boiling
until the temperature of the highest boiling
component is reached. The relative density or
specific gravity will be the weighted average of
that of each component.
The table below indicates the properties of
various hydrocarbons.
1. Lean Oil Distillation
The hydrocarbon used for lean oil can be
determined from a distillation. The appratus
and procedure for running a distillation are
shown on the next page. The type of hydrocar-
bon and its molecular weight can be esti-
mated from the distillation temperature ob-
served at 50% boil off, and the graphs on
page 19.

Example

The temperature at 50% boil off of a lean oil sample is 135°C [275°F]. Determine the type of
hydrocarbon.

SI UNITS ENGLISH UNITS

50% boil off temperature 130° 300°F
Type of lean oil from graph on p-19 C9 C9
Molecular weight of lean oil 128 128
PROPERTIES OF LEAN OILS

Mol. Boiling Point Temp Range Rel. Dens. or API

Hydrocarbon Symbol Wt. °C °F Sp. Gravity Gravity
Heptane C7 100 79 - 99 175 - 210 0.675 - 0.703 70 - 78°
Octane C8 114 99 - 127 210 - 260 0.690 - 0.710 68 - 74°
Nonane C9 128 121 - 152 250 - 305 0.700 - 0.725 64 - 70°
Decane C10 142 116 - 177 240 - 350 0.715 - 0.740 60 - 66°

Problem 3
You want to use a lean oil having a molecular weight of 114. The name of the hydrocarbon
is _________________. Its symbol is _________. The 50% boil-off temperature should be about
_______°.

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

18 LEAN OIL DISTILLATION

THERMOMETER
DISTILLING
FLASK
BATH COVER

ASBESTOS
BOARDS BATH

BLOTTING
SHIELD PAPER

BURNER GAS LINE

GRADUATED
AIR VENTS CYLINDER

SUPPORT

LEAN OIL DISTILLATION APPARATUS

DISTILLATION PROCEDURE

1. ADD 100 ML SAMPLE OF LEAN OIL TO DISTILLATION FLASK AND ARRANGE APPARA-
TUS AS SHOWN ABOVE.

2. LIGHT BURNER.

3. OBSERVE TEMPERATURE WHEN FIRST DROP OF LIQUID FALLS INTO GRADUATED

CYLINDER. THIS IS THE INITIAL BOILING POINT.

4. OBSERVE TEMPERATURES WHEN GRADUATED CYLINDER CONTAINS 5, 10, 20 30,

40, 50 60, 70, 80, 90 AND 95 ML OF LIQUID.

5. OBSERVE TEMPERATURE WHEN LAST DROP CONDENSES. THIS IS THE FINAL

BOILING POINT OR END POINT.

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

TYPE OF LEAN OIL FROM 50% BOIL-OFF TEMPERATURE 19
180

SI UNITS
170

C10
160
50% DISTILLATION TEMPERATURE, C

150

140
C9

130

120

110 C8

100

C7
90
100 110 120 130 140 150
LEAN OIL MOLECULAR WEIGHT

350

ENGLISH UNITS
50% DISTILLATION TEMPERATURE, F

325

C10
300

275
C9

250

225 C8

C7
200
100 110 120 130 140 150
LEAN OIL MOLECULAR WEIGHT

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

20 LEAN OIL/GAS MIXING STAGES

E. Lean Oil/Gas Mixing Stages

From the discussion to this point, it might
appear that if we select the proper lean oil,
and mix it with the gas, that it will absorb the
heavy ends from the gas. The following draw-
ing shows the recovery that would be expected
in a single stage of mixing lean oil and gas.
You can see that propane recovery is only
16%. Methane and ethane recovery is less,
and butane and gasoline is higher. The amount
of obsorption depends upon the vapor pres-
sure of the hydrocarbons. Methane has the
highest vapor pressure, so it has the lowest
absorption. The vapor pressure of propane is
about 1/5th that of ethane, so its absorption is
5 times that of ethane. The C5 + in the gas
has a low vapor pressure, and 100% of it is
absorbed.
In order to raise the recovery of propane,
we need to have more than 1 mixing stage.
Two stages of mixing are shown opposite.
Adding the second stage increased the pro-
pane recovery from 16% to 29.4%. Adding
additional stages will increase recovery ap-
proximately as shown in the table below.

LEAN OIL OUTLET GAS

C1 = 89.55
C2 = 6.98
C3 = 1.68
C4 = 0.36
C5 = 0.00
98.57
INLET GAS RICH OIL
C1 = 90.0 % ABSN
C2 = 7.2 C1 = 0.45 0.5
C3 = 2.0 C2 = 0.22 3.1
C4 = 0.6 C3 = 0.32 16.0
C5 = 0.2 C4 = 0.24 40.0
100 C5 = 0.20 100.0
1 MIXING STAGE 1.43

Number of % Hydrocarbon Absorption

Mixing Stages C1 C2 C3 C4 Gasoline
1 0.5 3.1 16.0 40.0 100
2 1.0 6.0 29.4 71.0 100
3 1.4 8.9 40.7 90.0 100
4 1.9 11.6 50.2 94.0 100
5 2.3 14.2 58.2 96.0 100
6 2.7 16.7 64.8 97.0 100
7 3.1 19.1 70.5 98.0 100
8 3.5 22.4 75.2 99.0 100
9 3.8 24.6 79.2 99.5 100
10 4.2 26.6 82.5 100.0 100

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

 LEAN OIL/GAS MIXING STAGES 21

The absorption shown below is for a con-
stant flow of gas and lean oil. A higher lean oil
flow would increase absorption, but not pro-
portionally.
The mixing stages shown opposite repre-
sent the absorption that occurs when the gas
and liquid thoroughly mix, and are in contact
with one another long enough for the lean oil
to absorb all of the hydrocarbon it is capable
of holding. In an absorber tower, the gas and
liquid are in contact with one another about
0.2 seconds on each tray. This is not long
enough for total mixing to occur. The net result
is that more than one tray is required to be
equivalent to one mixing stage. The term tray
efficiency is used to define the degree of
mixing that occurs on a tray. If 50% mixing
occurs, the efficiency is 50%, and 2 trays are

OUTLET GAS
LEAN OIL C1 = 89.10
C2 = 6.77
C3 = 1.41
C4 = 0.17
C5 = 0.00
97.45

INLET GAS RICH OIL

C1 = 90.0 % ABSN
C2 = 7.2 C1 = 0.90 1.0
C3 = 2.0 C2 = 0.43 6.0
C4 = 0.6 C3 = 0.59 29.4
C5 = 0.2 C4 = 0.43 72.0
100 C5 = 0.20 100.0
2.55

2 MIXING STAGES

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

22 LEAN OIL/GAS MIXING STAGES

required for each mixing stage. The number Mixing Stages x 100
No. of Trays =
of trays required equals: Tray Efficiency

Example
An Absorber requires 12 mixing stages in Mixing Stages x 100
No. of Trays =
order to obtain the desired propane recovery. % Tray Efficiency
Tray Efficiency is 40%. Determine the number 12 x 100
= = 30 Trays
of trays in the tower. 40

Problem 4
How many mixing stages are in an Absorber having 25 trays with an efficiency of 40% ____
____________________________________________.

Tray efficiency in an Absorber is usually
40 - 60%. It remains fairly constant over
changes in gas and/or lean oil flow rates of 50
- 125% of design. The efficiency (and recov-
ery) will drop off at high or low flow rates.
One of the principle factors that effects
tray efficiency is that of the viscosity of the
liquid. More thorough mixing of gas and liquid
occurs with a low viscosity liquid such as
gasoline, than with a high viscosity liquid such
as glycol.
Clean lean oil has a low viscosity, and
good gas-liquid mixing occurs. However, if the
lean oil contains solid particles or heavy ends,
its viscosity can increase and significantly
reduce tray efficiency and recovery.

Example
An Absorber has 25 trays with an efficiency of 40%. Recovery is that shown in the table on
page 20. Determine the percent loss in propane recovery if the lean oil becomes contaminated
and results in a tray efficiency of 36%.
40 '
No. of mixing stages at 40% Efficiency = 25 x = 10 stages
100
Propane recovery with 10 stages = 82.5%

25 x 36
No. of mixing stages with 36% efficiency = = 9 stages
100
Propane recovery with 9 stages = 79.2%
Difference in propane recovery = 82.5 - 79.2 = 3.3%

3.3 '
% difference in propane recovery = x 100 = 4%
82.5

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

 HEAT OF VAPORIZATION OF HYDROCARBONS 23

Heavy ends that can raise the viscosity of
lean oil are removed in the Reclaimer. It
should be closely checked to see that it is
operating properly. Refer to pages 33 - 37 for
the procedure to determine the quantity of
heavy ends in lean oil.
When packing is used instead of trays, the
height of packing is based on the number of
mixing stages and the height equivalent to 1
stage. A height of 60 -120 cm [2 - 4 ft] is usually
equivalent to 1 mixing stage.
Packing height = (No. Mixing Stages)
(Height per Stage)

Problem 5
Propane production with clean lean oil in the previous example is 192 500 L/d [50 000 gal/d].
Profit from propane is 0.026 dollars/L [$0.10/gal]. Daily loss in profit with contaminated lean
oil is ___________ dollars.

Example
Determine the height of packing in an Absorber having 10 mixing stages when a
height of 120 cm [4 ft] is equivalent to 1 mixing stage.
SI UNITS ENGLISH UNITS
Packing Height = (No. Mixing Stages) x (Height per Stage)
Height = 10 x 120 = 1200 cm 10 x 4 = 40 ft
or 12 m

F. Heat of Vaporization of
Hydrocarbons

In most Absorbers, the temperature of gas
and lean oil entering the tower are about the
same. It would appear that the temperature of
outlet gas and rich oil would be the same as
the average temperature of the inlet gas and
lean oil. This is not the case. The temperature
of outlet gas and rich oil is 6 - 11°C [10 - 20°F]
above the inlet temperatures. Typical operat-
ing temperatures at a refrigerated Absorber
are shown on the next page.
The outlet gas and liquid temperatures are
higher than the inlet temperatures because of
the heat of vaporization released when ab-
sorbed hydrocarbons change from a gas to a
liquid.
You recall that in order to boil water, its
temperature must be raised to 100°C [212°F],
and then 2263 kJ/kg [970 Btu/lb] of heat must

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

24 HEAT OF VAPORIZATION OF HYDROCARBONS

be added to vaporize the water. This OUTLET GAS

-12°C
same quantity of heat must be re- [10°F]
moved from steam in order to con-
dense it.
-20°C
The heat of vaporization for hy- [-4°F]

drocarbons is about 350 kJ/kg [150 LEAN OIL

Btu/lb]. This much heat must be

added to liquid hydrocarbon to va-
porize it, or it must be removed from
vapor to condense it. Hydrocarbons
are in a vapor state in the inlet gas.
They change to a liquid state when
they are absorbed in the lean oil. The
heat of vaporization is released when
absorption occurs. This results in a
temperature rise in the liquid and -20°C
gas. Thus, the temperature of outlet [-4°F]

gas and rich oil will be higher than INLET GAS Level
the inlet temperatures. Controller

1. Lean Oil Presaturator

The temperature rise in the Ab-
sorber due to the heat of vaporiza-
tion of absorbed hydrocarbons re-
sults in less propane recovery. Each
degree of temperature rise reduces propane
recovery 0.5 to 1.0%.
About one-third of the temperature rise
due to absorption results from the recovery of
methane. If no methane was absorbed, the
temperature in the Absorber would be about
3°C [5°F] lower, and propane absorption would
increase 2.5 to 5%.
Methane absorption in the Absorber can
-12°C
[10°F]
RICH OIL
ABSORBER
be eliminated by presaturating the lean oil
with methane as shown opposite. The rich oil
from the Absorber flows to a flash tank, which
operates at a pressure 2000 to 3500 kPa [300
to 500 psi] less than that of the Absorber. Most
of the methane in the rich oil vaporizes when
its pressure is lowered. Some ethane, pro-
pane and butane also vaporize in the flash
tank.

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

 PRESATURATOR 25

C 3 VAPOR
TO COMP. LEAN
OIL

TO RECOMPRESSOR
OUTLET GAS PRESATURATOR
CHILLER

C3
REFRIGERANT
TO
RECOMPRESSOR

LC

PRESATURATOR
SEPARATOR

PRESATURATED
LEAN OIL PUMP
INLET
GAS

PC

DEMETHANIZER
ABSORBER
FLASH
TANK

PRESATURATOR

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

26 PRINCIPLES OF ABSORPTION

The gas from the Flash Tank mixes with with gas from the Demethanizer instead of the
lean oil and the combined stream flows Flash Tank as shown on the previous page.
through the chiller, where the temperature of Regardless of the arrangement, the function
the gas-lean oil stream is lowered to approxi- is the same.
mately the same temperature as that of inlet The decision whether or not to use a
gas to the absorber. When the gas-lean oil presaturator is one of cost. We can get the
stream is cooled, most of the gas will be same absorption as that using a presaturator
absorbed in the lean oil. The heat of vaporiza- by lowering the inlet gas and lean oil tempera-
tion released when the gas is absorbed is ture, which requires more refrigeration; or by
removed in the chiller. Thus, the lean oil increasing the lean oil flow rate, which re-
leaving the presaturator chiller is saturated quires larger pumps and more refrigeration.
with methane, and it will absorb very little The cost of each method has to be determined
methane in the Absorber. before the final selection can be made.
The net effect is to lower the temperature The other factors that affect absorption are:
in the Absorber and thereby increase the
1. Pressure. Maximum absorption of heavy
recovery of propane. The presaturator facility
ends occurs at a pressure of 4000 - 5000
is usually cost effective for plants with pro-
kPa [600 - 700 psi]. Absorption will be less
pane production of at least 400 m3/d [100 000
at lower or higher pressure.
gal/day].
The purpose of the presaturator is to re- 2. Gas flow rate. Reducing the flow rate will
duce the temperature rise in the absorber so increase the percentage of absorption of
that more absorption will occur. Ethane and each component. At a high gas rate, the
propane absorption will be about 5% more volume of recovered products will increase,
with a presaturator than without one. but the percentage of ethane and propane
In some plants, lean oil is presaturated recovery will go down.
SUMMARY OF FACTORS THAT AFFECT ABSORPTION
FACTOR EFFECT ON ABSORPTION
Lean Oil Flow Rate More absorption at higher rate.
Lean Oil Composition Less absorption when light ends or heavy ends are present.
Absorber Temperature More absorption at lower temperature.
Absorber Pressure Less absorption at pressure above or below 4000 - 5000
kPa [600 - 700 psi].
Gas Flow Rate Lower percent absorption at high flow rate.

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

 ABSORBER CAPACITY 27

In your absorption plant, you normally sition. Other factors are limited by the size of
have operational control over only 3 factors: equipment or conditions beyond your control.
temperature, lean oil flow, and lean oil compo-

Problem 6
Match the items in the column on the right with those that most closely describe the items in
the column on the left.
_______ 1. Weir a. C4
_______ 2. Amount of absorption b. Gas changes to liquid
_______ 3. Absorption process c. Holds liquid level on tray
_______ 4. Lower Absorber temperature d. Hydrocarbon vapor pressure
_______ 5. Ideal lean oil to absorb C3 e. More absorption

G. Absorber Capacity
In order to get good mixing of gas and lean
oil on each tray, the velocity of gas moving up
the absorber must be low enough that it does
not blow through a tray in a slug, and high
enough so that it does not channel. The
velocity of the gas is determined from the gas
flow rate, operating pressure, and absorber
diameter. The graphs on the next page indi-
cate the approximate maximum gas flow rates
in various diameter absorbers at various oper-
ating pressures that result in good mixing on
each tray. Gas rates above those shown on
the graphs may result in lean oil carryover in
the outlet gas. Flow rates less than 50% of
those shown on the graphs will probably result
in poor mixing on the trays, which will lower the
absorption of propane.

Example
An absorber operating at 3500 kPa [500 psi] has a diameter of 2450 mm [96 in.]. Determine
the maximum gas rate.
SI UNITS ENGLISH UNITS
Absorber operating pressure 3500 kPa 500 psi
Absorber diameter 2450 mm 96 in.
3
Maximum gas flow rate (P-28) 7.7 million m /d 270 MMcf/d

Problem 7
The gas capacity of an absorber having a diameter of 1800 mm [72 in.] and operating at a
pressure of 5000 kPa [750 psi] is ________.

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

28 ABSORBER CAPACITY
3000
ABSORBER CAPACITY - SI UNITS

2500

00
a

10
, kP
00 URE
00 20 SS
15 00 P RE
ABSORBER DIAMETER, mm

30
0 ER
50 00 RB
2 00 40 SO
2000 35 0 00 AB
0 60
50
00
70

1500

1000

500
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
MAXIMUM GAS FLOW RATE, Million m/d

120
ABSORBER CAPACITY - ENGLISH UNITS

110
ABSORBER DIAMETER, INCHES

100 i
ps
0
10

RE,
SU
30 0

ES
20

90 PR
0

0 ER
40 00 ORB
5
A BS
80 0
75 0
0
10
70

60

50

40

30
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500 550 600
MAXIMUM GAS FLOW RATE, MMcf/d

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

 PUKING AND CARRYOVER 29

H. Puking and Carryover or debris, so that liquid flow is restricted, liquid

Refer to the Figure on page 8. Liquid from
a tray flows down the downcomer to the next
tray. The space between the downcomer and
the vessel wall must be large enough to allow
free flow of liquid down the tower. If the
downcomer becomes obstructed with scale
will build up in the tower. For example, if liquid
flow down a tower is 190 L/m [50 gpm], but
flow down the downcomer is restricted to 150
L/m [40 gpm], liquid will fill the downcomers
and build up on the trays at a rate of 40 L/m [10
gpm]. Eventually, the tower will probably puke.

I'm getting
sick.
URP!

LIQUID
INLET

OBSTRUCTION

GAS
INLET

Liquid flow down the tower becomes
restricted, and liquid starts to build
up on the trays. Gas pressure starts
to build up in the bottom of the tower.
PUKING
Gas pressure builds up in the bottom
until it is enough to overcome the
liquid head on the trays. At that time,
a slug of gas moves up the tower.
It travels at a high velocity and carries
liquid with it as it flows out the top.

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

30 PUKING AND CARRYOVER
When a tower pukes, most of the liquid in
the upper part of the vessel is blown out the
top of the tower. Puking usually occurs at a
high liquid rate. It happens like this: At a high
liquid rate, the liquid level on one or more trays
will rise. It will reach the point that a surge of
gas will suddenly move up the tower with
enough velocity to carry the liquid with it.
Reducing the lean oil flow rate will usually
eliminate puking.
Puking is not be confused with carryover.
Puking occurs intermittently; one minute you
have a level of rich oil in the bottom of the
tower, and the next minute, it is gone. Carryover
is continuous. The causes for it are:
1. The gas flow rate is high enough to sweep
some lean oil with it as it flows out the top
of the Absorber. Even though the tower
has a mist pad, an excessive gas flow rate
will carry enough liquid to saturate the mist
pad, and some liquid will carry out in the
gas stream.
Problem 8
Match each item on the right that is most closely associated with the item on the left.
______ 1. Dirty lean oil
______ 2. Puking
______ 3. Absorber diameter
______ 4. Downcomer size
______ 5. Tray efficiency
______ 6. Carryover
LEAN OIL ABSORBERS
Quite often, carryover occurs at the nor-
mal gas flow rate when the Absorber is
operating at a pressure below normal. If an
Absorber is designed to handle a certain
gas rate at 6000 kPa [870 psi] pressure,
and it is only operating at one half design
pressure or 3000 kPa [435 psi], the allow-
able gas flow rate will be only one half of
design.
2. Some of the bubble caps or valves have
come loose from the top tray, and gas is
blowing through the holes they left on the
tray and carrying out some lean oil with it.
Here again, the mist pad can get saturated
with lean oil, and lose its effectiveness.
Remember, Puking happens quickly, and
is caused by a high liquid flow rate. Carryover
is continuous and is caused by a high gas flow
rate. Both give the same end result: a loss of
lean oil and less absorption.
a. Gas velocity
b. Thoroughness of mixing
c. Liquid flow rate
d. High vapor flow rate
e. High liquid flow rate
f. Low tray efficiency
 III. OPERATION AND CONTROL 31

A. Start-Up 1. Check the quality of lean oil to be sure it

1. Pressurize the tower to normal operating contains no light ends or heavy ends or
pressure. dirt.

2. Start the flow of lean oil to the tower.

2. Check the level controller or other liquid
Design flow rate can be used. Allow liquid
draw-off device on the bottom of the Ab-
to build up to the level of the weir on each
sorber for proper operation.
tray. When trays have liquid to the height
of the weir, the level in the bottom will start
3. Check the tower pressure.
to rise. Put the level controller in service.

3. Slowly open the gas to the Absorber. Do
not allow a sudden surge of gas to enter,
as it might blow liquid out the tower, or
damage the bubble caps or valves on
the tray.
B. Shut Down
Shut down sequence is the opposite of
start-up: shut in the flow of gas, and then shut
in the flow of lean oil.
C. Routine Operation
Routine operating checks include the
following:
4. Check the temperature of the inlet gas.
5. Check the temperature of the lean oil.
6. Check the flow rate of lean oil to be sure
the lean oil pump is operating at full
capacity.
An important operating check is to look for
breaks in cold insulation in refrigerated plants.
An accumulation of ice will indicate an insula-
tion failure. The insulation should be repaired
at the next plant shut-down.

Problem 9

In starting up an Absorber, flow of gas/lean oil should start first.

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

32 CONTROL OF ABSORBER
D. Control
Controls on an Absorber are almost non-
existent. The tower usually has a level con-
troller to regulate the flow of rich oil out of the
vessel, and it may have a pressure controller
that regulates the flow of gas leaving the
tower.
The rich oil that leaves the bottom of the
Absorber flows to a Flash Tank or to a
Demethanizer or Deethanizer. The towers
will operate better when the rich oil flow is
constant. The level controller on the Absorber
should be set so that the flow of rich oil is fairly
constant, and the level in the Absorber varies.
As far as the Absorber is concerned, the
amount of absorption is in no way affected by
the level of rich oil in the bottom of the tower,
so long as the level is below the inlet gas
nozzle. The level controller should be ad-
justed so that the proportional band is set
between 50 and 100%. This will hold a fairly
constant flow of rich oil.
If the Absorber has a pressure controller,
you probably have very little latitude in the
pressure control range. If you can raise or
lower the pressure, it should be set as close to
4500 kPa [650 psi] as possible for maximum
absorption.
1. Gas and Lean Oil Temperature
The temperature of inlet gas and lean oil
should be held as low as possible for maxi-
mum product recovery. In refrigerated gaso-
line plants, minimum gas and lean oil tem-
peratures are usually limited by refrigeration
LEAN OIL ABSORBERS
compressor size. The lowest temperature
occurs when the refrigeration compressor is
fully loaded.
During the winter, the refrigeration system
will operate at lower temperature, and the gas
and lean oil temperatures can be lowered,
with resulting increase in recovery.
There may be situations in which you can
cool the gas a few degrees more than lean oil,
or vice versa. The least load on the refrigera-
tion system occurs when both are cooled to
the same temperature. The weight of inlet gas
is usually about twice that of lean oil, so that 1
degree of gas cooling is equivalent to 2 de-
grees of lean oil cooling. Thus, in balancing
refrigerant to the gas and lean oil chillers, the
gas temperature should be the same or slightly
lower than the lean oil temperature.
2. Lean Oil flow
Maximum recovery occurs when the flow
of lean oil is at its peak. The means for
controlling flow of lean oil will depend upon the
type of lean oil pump - centrifugal or recipro-
cating. In either case, flow should be at its
maximum. Pumps should be closely observed
for loss in capacity, and repairs made promptly
when capacity declines.
3. Lean Oil Purity
The purity of lean oil refers to:
1. The presence of light ends.
2. The presence of heavy ends.
3. The presence of solid particles, water, or
glycol (in refrigerated plants). These con-
taminants will give the lean oil a haze or
 LEAN OIL PURITY 33

milky appearance. heavy ends in lean oil is that of a distillation.

Light ends - butanes and gasoline - get in
the lean oil when the Still is not functioning
properly. These hydrocarbons should leave
the Still in the top product instead of the
bottom product which is lean oil. Adding more
heat to the Still or lowering the reflux rate
should correct this situation.
The source of heavy ends may be inlet gas
or make-up absorption oil. They are removed
in the Lean Oil Reclaimer. The Reclaimer is a
modified boiling pot in which lean oil is boiled
out as the top product, and heavy ends are
withdrawn from the bottom. A high tempera-
ture in the Reclaimer results in some heavy
ends flowing out the top with lean oil. Heavy
ends may give the lean oil a straw color, but
the color itself is not necessarily an indication
OUTLET
of heavy ends. Lowering the tem-
perature will remove heavy ends from
The apparatus and procedure are shown on
page 18.
As we previously learned, lean oil is a
mixture of several hydrocarbons, each of which
has a different boiling temperature and spe-
cific gravity. If we were able to make 100%
pure lean oil - no light ends and no heavy ends
- it would boil over a temperature range of
about 30°C [50°F] because it is a mixture of
several isomers which have different boiling
points. In other words, the end point tempera-
ture would be about 30°C [50°F] higher than
the initial boiling temperature.
Your plant is not capable of making 100%
pure lean oil. It will contain some light ends
and some heavy ends, each of which will
reduce absorption from the gas. It is the job of
GAS
ABSORBED
PRODUCT

the lean oil. RECOMPR.

Relative density or specific gravity
of the lean oil is an indication of its
quality. A high specific gravity (low CHILLER

API gravity) indicates a build-up of

heavy ends; a low relative density
indicates the presence of light ends. FLASH
TANK
However, the gravity may show a INLET GAS
DEMETHANIZER
normal reading when both light ends RICH OIL OR
STILL

ABSORBER DEETHANIZER
and heavy ends are present. Further-
more, a change in gravity merely tells HEAT
SOURCE
you that contaminants are present, RECLAIMER
but it does not tell you how much. LEAN OIL

The most accurate method for de- SIMPLIFIED FLOW OF LEAN

termining the presence of light or OIL/RICH OIL SYSTEM

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

34 LEAN OIL DISTILLATION

the operator to minimize the quantity of light data is the operator's best guide for determin-
ends and heavy ends in the lean oil in order to ing whether it contains excessive light ends or
maximize gas absorption. Lean oil distillation heavy ends.
Example

The following distillation data is obtained from 3 samples of lean oil:

Distillation Temperatures
Oil with Oil with
Good Oil, Heavy Ends, Light Ends,
Sample #1 Sample #2 Sample #3
°C °F °C °F °C °F
Initial Boiling Temperature 80 176 80 176 70 158
5% Boiling Temperature 93 200 93 200 87 188
10% Boiling Temperature 99 211 99 211 93 200
20% Boiling Temperature 106 223 104 220 102 215
30% Boiling Temperature 110 230 108 226 107 225
40% Boiling Temperature 112 233 112 233 111 231
50% Boiling Temperature 113 236 114 238 113 236
60% Boiling Temperature 115 240 118 244 117 243
70% Boiling Temperature 118 245 121 250 121 249
80% Boiling Temperature 122 251 114 259 124 255
90% Boiling Temperature 128 262 135 275 128 263
95% Boiling Temperature 133 272 143 290 134 273
End Point Temperature 147 296 161 323 147 296

Interpretation of distillation data to detect
light or heavy ends can be improved by plot-
ting a distillation curve. Curves for the 3 oil
samples above are shown on the following
pages. After drawing the curves, a straight
line is drawn (dashed lines on curves) that is
closest to the points in the 20% to 80% boiling
range. This line represents the ideal distilla-
tion curve. On the good oil sample - #1 - it
indicates the initial boiling temperature (0%
boil-off) should be 100°C [212°F], and the end
point (100% boil-off) should be 128°C [263°F].
The initial boiling temperature of Sample 1
is 80°C [176°F], which is below the ideal
temperature. This indicates some light ends
are present. However, a small quantity of light
ends can depress the initial boiling tempera-
ture 10 - 20°C [18 - 36°F].
The end point temperature of Sample 1 is
147°C [296°F] which is 19°C [33°F] higher
than the ideal. This indicates some heavy
ends are present in the lean oil. However, a
small quantity of heavy ends can raise the end
point 10 - 20°C [18 - 36°F], and Sample 1 is
within this range.

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

 LEAN OIL DISTILLATION CURVES - SI UNITS 35

150 150

140 140

130 130

120 120
Ideal Distillation Line

110 110

Plot of Distillation Data

100
SAMPLE 3 160
90
Excessive
Excessive 150
Light
Light Ends
Ends
80

140
70
130
BOILING TEMPERATURE, C

130
Plot of Distillation Data
120 120

Ideal Distillation Line

110 110

100 SAMPLE 2
Excessive
Excessive 150
Heavy
Heavy Ends
Ends
90
140

80 Effect of
Heavy Ends
130 130

Ideal Distillation Line

120 120

110 110
Plot of Distillation Data

100

Effect of
90 Light Ends SAMPLE 1

80
0 20 40 60 80 100
% BOIL-OFF

LEAN OIL DISTILLATION CURVES - SI UNITS

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

36 LEAN OIL DISTILLATION CURVES - ENGLISH UNITS
300

275

250
Ideal Distillation Line

225
Plot of Distillation Data
200

175 SAMPLE 3

Excessive
ExcessiveLight
Light Ends
Ends
150

325

300
BOILING TEMPERATURE, F

275
Plot of Distillation Data

250

225 Ideal Distillation Line

200 SAMPLE 2

Excessive
ExcessiveHeavy Ends
Heavy Ends
175

300

Effect of
275 Heavy Ends

250 Ideal Distillation Line

225 Plot of Distillation Data

200 Effect of
Light ends
SAMPLE 1
175
0 20 40 60 80 100
% BOIL-OFF

LEAN OIL DISTILLATION CURVES - ENGLISH UNITS

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

 LEAN OIL DISTILLATION 37

Sample 2 is lean oil with excessive heavy
ends. Its boiling temperature during the last
50% of boil-off is above that of the good oil
sample. The distillation curve shows a large
area between the ideal distillation line and the
plotted line.
Heavy ends are removed from lean oil in
the Reclaimer. In order for it to remove more
heavy ends, the temperature in the Reclaimer
should be lowered.
Sample 3 is lean oil with excessive light
ends. Its boiling temperature during the first
50% of boil-off is lower than that of the good
oil sample. The distillation curve shows a
large area between the ideal distillation line
and the plotted line.
Light ends are removed from lean oil in the
Still. In order to remove more light ends, the
Still temperature should be raised, or the
reflux rate lowered.
The distillation curves for lean oil in your
plant may be above or below those shown on
pages 35 or 36. They should have the same
shape as the curves shown. It is your job to
find the operating conditions at the Lean Oil
Still and Reclaimer that result in the highest
quality lean oil your plant is capable of making.
One other point: if you purchase lean oil for
make-up, its quality may not be as good as
that in your system. It may contain more light
ends and/or heavy ends. Thus its distillation
curve should not be used as a standard for
comparing your lean oil.
Solid particles often appear after a shut-
down, but they usually settle out of the lean oil
after a few hours. If they are continually
present, a filter should be installed to
remove them.
Water can get into lean oil in non-refriger-
ated plants in which stripping steam is used in
the Lean Oil Stripper. The source of water
may be steam, or, in some cases, the Lean Oil
Cooler. The source of water entry should be
determined and corrected. Glycol gets into
lean oil in refrigerated plants when it fails to
drop out in the Glycol Separator, and enters
the Absorber with inlet gas. If glycol gets in the
lean oil system, it will be concentrated to

Problem 10
The lean oil in the plant with distillation curves on pages 35 and 36 has a 5% boiling
temperature of 70°C [160°F] and a 95% temperature of 127°C [260°F]. What is wrong with the
lean oil and what do you do about it? ____________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________.

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

38 CONTROL OF ABSORBER WITH PRESATURATOR
almost 100% purity in the Still. Pure glycol will
freeze at a temperature of -7°C [20°F]. Thus,
the glycol will often freeze in the Lean Oil
Chiller and plug it; or it may carry into the
Absorber and settle out on the top trays.
There have been instances of glycol freeze-
up in the top of Absorbers that restricted the
flow of gas through the Absorber. When this
occurs, the tower must be warmed up by
shutting down the refrigeration system. After
the glycol melts, it should be drained from the
bottom of the Absorber, and other parts of the
Lean Oil System should be checked to be
sure all of the glycol is removed.
It is good operating practice to frequently
check the bottom of the Absorber,
Demethanizer, Still and Lean Oil Surge Tank
for the presence of glycol, and drain it from the
system before it has a chance to freeze-up in
the Chiller or Absorber.
E. Control of Absorber with Presaturator
The primary control point on the
Presaturator is the level control in the separa-
tor. The level controller regulates the flow of
lean oil to the Absorber. The controller should
be set with a high proportional band so that
the oil flow is fairly constant. A constant flow
of lean oil to the Absorber will result in more
absorption than a varying flow. The level
should be held as low as possible in the
presaturator separator in order to provide the
maximum vapor disengaging space and mini-
mize lean oil carryover in the outlet gas.
LEAN OIL ABSORBERS
The temperature of the lean oil should be
held as low as possible, so proper operation of
the oil chiller and refrigeration system are
important.
F. Absorber Operation when
Refrigeration System is Down
When the refrigeration unit is down, the
Absorber will still operate, but the quantity of
absorption will be much less. In addition, the
lean oil composition must be changed to pre-
vent excessive losses.
When the refrigeration unit is operating,
the gas stream is chilled before it enters the
Absorber. Almost all of the C7 and heavier
hydrocarbons contained in the gas are con-
densed in the Chiller. Consequently, the gas
that flows up the Absorber has very little C7
and heavier hydrocarbons in it. The lean oil is
usually C8 or C9.
The inlet gas stream contains some C7 and
C8 and possibly some C9 and C10 in it. These
components normally condense in the Chiller.
However, when the Chiller is not operating,
these heavy ends are in the gas flowing up the
Absorber. Furthermore, they will not be ab-
sorbed in a lean oil that is C8 or C9. In fact, at
ambient temperature, some of the lean oil will
vaporize and end up in the gas stream.
You recall we said that the ideal lean oil is
one that has one more carbon atom than the
heaviest component in the gas stream. When
the refrigeration unit is down, the heaviest
component in the gas may be C8 or C9. conse-
 CONTROL OF ABSORBER WITH PRESATURATOR 39

quently, the ideal lean oil will be C10.
If the refrigeration unit will be shut down for
an extended period, you probably want to
replace the lean oil in the system with one
having properties similar to C12. However, if
the refrigeration shut-down is only a few days,
you would not want to replace it. Instead, you
should shut-down the reclaimer, and let the
heavy ends build up in the lean oil.

Problem 11

Match each item on the right that is most closely associated with the item on the left.

_______ 1. Remove light ends a. Reclaimer

_______ from lean oil.
_______ 2. Remove heavy ends b. Indicates quantity of light or heavy ends
_______ from lean oil. in lean oil.
_______ 3. Water or glycol in c. Heavy ends in lean oil.
_______ lean oil.
_______ 4. Low initial boiling d. Still
_______ point.
_______ 5. High end point. e. Lean oil sample is hazy.
_______ 6. Lean oil distillation. f. Light ends in lean oil.

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

40 IV. TROUBLESHOOTING

A. FAILURE TO ABSORB THE PROPER QUANTITY OF HYDROCARBONS FROM THE GAS

CAUSE OF EXCESSIVE
HYDROCARBONS IN OUTLET GAS
1. Low lean oil flow rate.
2. High lean oil or inlet gas
temperature.
3. Low Absorber pressure
4. Lean oil is contaminated.
5. High inlet gas flow rate.
6. Insulation failure on Absorber.
7. Trays have become fouled.
TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURE
Check rate. Repair lean oil pumps or correct
condition causing low flow.
Check operation of refrigeration unit and oil
and gas chillers.
Check pressure. Raise to design.
a. Check sample for dirt. Filter oil if sample
shows haze.
b. Check distillation of lean oil for presence
of light ends or heavy ends, and remove
in Stripper or Reclaimer.
Check rate. Lower to design.
Check for ice formation on tower and repair.
a. Confirm with high pressure drop.
b. Internally inspect.

B. Foaming or Excessive Lean Oil Carryover in Outlet Gas

CAUSE OF FOAMING OR CARRYOVER
1. High gas rate.
2. Low Absorber pressure.
3. Lean oil is dirty.
4. Lean oil contains heavy ends.
5. Downcomers are plugged. Lean
oil is building up in tower.
6. Bubble caps or valves on top tray
have come off and gas is blowing
through liquid.
7. Lean oil contains water or glycol.
TROUBLESHOOTING PROCEDURE
Check rate. Lower to design.
Check pressure. Raise to design.
Check sample for haze. Filter if necessary.
Check distillation of lean oil. Put Reclaimer
in service.
Confirm with high pressure drop. Lower lean oil
flow rate. If this corrects problem, tower will have
to be shut down and downcomers cleaned.
Lower gas rate. If this corrects problem,
tower will have to be shut down and
internal repairs made.
Check sample of lean oil for haze. Drain
water or glycol from vessels in lean oil system.

Problem 12
The propane recovery in an Absorber has dropped from 80% to 70%. List 3 possible causes
for the drop.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS VALIDATION - SI UNITS 41
REVISED EDITION
Name _____________________
1. An absorber has 25 trays. Tray efficiency is 60%. OUTLET GAS
The number of theoretical mixing stages is -10°

________
2. Check each of the following items that will result
in an increase in absorption. LEAN OIL
_____ Raise lean oil flow rate
_____ Lower lean oil flow rate
_____ Raise temperature of gas and lean oil
_____ Lower temperature of gas and lean oil
_____ Raise the quantity of heavy ends in lean oil
_____ Lower the quantity of heavy ends in lean oil
_____ Raise quantity of light ends in lean oil
_____ Lower quantity of light ends in lean oil 4800 kPa

3. The heaviest hydrocarbon in the gas flowing to

the absorber is C7. the ideal lean oil is ______ INLET GAS
Level
3 million m3/d
4. Will the temperature of gas leaving the absorber Controller

be the same as the inlet gas temperature? ______

If not, why not ___________________________
RICH OIL
5. The absorber diameter should be at least
______ mm
6. Distillation of 3 lean oil samples are:
SAMPLE 1 SAMPLE 2 SAMPLE 3
Initial Boiling Point 93° 107° 107°
5% 107° 119° 119°
10% 116° 122° 122°
50% 137° 138° 139°
90% 149° 149° 153°
95% 153° 153° 163°
End Point 166° 166° 179°
a. If Sample 1 is not the best of the three, (1) what is wrong with it, (2) how will it effect the
quantity of hydrocarbons absorbed, and (3) how can its quality be improved? ________
____________________________________________________________________
b. If Sample 2 is not the best of the three, (1) what is wrong with it, (2) how will it effect the
quantity of hydrocarbons absorbed, and (3) how can its quality be improved? _______
____________________________________________________________________
c. If Sample 3 is not the best of the three, (1) what is wrong with it, (2) how will it effect the
quantity of hydrocarbons absorbed, and (3) how can it quality be improved? ________
____________________________________________________________________
7. The hydrocarbon in the above distillation is __________.
8. Lean oil loss in outlet gas is __________ L/day.

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

42 SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS - SI UNITS

1. 1. b 2. Outlet gas temperature = -10°

2. e C7 lean oil loss (P-12) = 8000 L/million m3
3. d Gas flow rate = 2 million m3/d
4. a Daily C7 loss = 8000 x 2 = 16 000 L/d
5. c C8 lean oil loss = 3500 L/million m3
Daily C8 loss = 3500 x 2 = 7000 L/d
3. Octane C8 50% boil-off temp from graph on pg. 19 = 124°C
40%
4. (25 trays) x = 10 stages 5. Propane production = 192 500 L/d
100
% propane loss with comtaminated lean oil - 4%
4 '
Daily propane loss = 192 500 x = 7700 L/d
100
Profit loss = 7700 x 0.026 = $200/d

6. 1. c 8. 1. f
2. d 2. e
3. b 3. a
4. e 4. c
5. a 5. b
6. d
7. Gas capacity of 1800 mm dia. absorber operating at 5000 kPa pressure is 4.9 million m3/d
(graph page 28)

9. Lean oil
10. Contains too much light ends. Raise Still temperature or lower reflux.
11. 1 d
2 a
3 e
4 f
5 c
6 b
12. Three of the following:
Lean oil contains too much heavy ends.
Lean oil contains too much light ends.
Lean oil flow has decreased.
Inlet gas and/or lean oil temperature have risen.
Inlet gas rate is up.
Absorber trays are fouled

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS VALIDATION - 43
REVISED EDITION ENGLISH UNITS Name _____________________
1. An absorber has 24 trays. Tray efficiency is 60%. OUTLET GAS
10°
The number of theoretical mixing stages is ________
2. Check each of the following items that will result in
an increase in absorption.
_____ Raise lean oil flow rate LEAN OIL

_____ Lower lean oil flow rate

_____ Raise temperature of gas and lean oil
_____ Lower temperature of gas and lean oil
_____ Raise the quantity of heavy ends in lean oil
_____ Lower the quantity of heavy ends in lean oil
_____ Raise quantity of light ends in lean oil
_____ Lower quantity of light ends in lean oil
700 psi
3. The heaviest hydrocarbon in the gas flowing to the
absorber is C7. the ideal lean oil is ______
INLET GAS
4. Will the temperature of gas leaving the absorber be 150 MMcf/d
Level
Controller
the same as the inlet gas temperature? ______
If not, why not ___________________________
5. The absorber diameter should be at least RICH OIL
______ in.
6. Distillation of 3 lean oil samples are:
SAMPLE 1 SAMPLE 2 SAMPLE 3
Initial Boiling Point 200° 225° 225°
5% 225° 247° 247°
10% 240° 252° 252°
50% 278° 280° 282°
90% 300° 300° 308°
95% 307° 307° 325°
End Point 330° 330° 355°
a. If Sample 1 is not the best of the three, (1) what is wrong with it, (2) how will it effect the
quantity of hydrocarbons absorbed, and (3) how can its quality be improved? ________
____________________________________________________________________
b. If Sample 2 is not the best of the three, (1) what is wrong with it, (2) how will it effect the
quantity of hydrocarbons absorbed, and (3) how can its quality be improved? _______
____________________________________________________________________
c. If Sample 3 is not the best of the three, (1) what is wrong with it, (2) how will it effect the
quantity of hydrocarbons absorbed, and (3) how can it quality be improved? ________
____________________________________________________________________
7. The hydrocarbon in the above distillation is __________.
8. Lean oil loss in outlet gas is __________ gal/day.

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

44 SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS - ENGLISH UNITS

1. 1. b 2. Outlet gas temperature = 14°

2. e C7 lean oil loss (P-12) = 62 gal/MMcf
3. d Gas flow rate = 70 MMcf/d
4. a Daily C7 loss = 62 x 70 = 4340 gal/d
5. c C8 lean oil loss = 25 gal/MMcf
Daily C8 loss = 25 x 70 = 1750 gal/d
3. Octane C8 50% boil-off temp from graph on pg. 19 = 255°F
40%
4. (25 trays) x = 10 stages 5. Propane production = 50 000 gal/d
100
% propane loss with comtaminated lean oil - 4%
4 '
Daily propane loss = 50 000 x = 200 gal/d
100
Profit loss = 2000 x 0.1 = $200/d

6. 1. c 8. 1. f
2. d 2. e
3. b 3. a
4. e 4. c
5. a 5. b
6. d

7. Gas capacity of 72 in. diameter absorber operating at 750 psi pressure is 185 MMcf/d
(graph page 28)
9. Lean oil
10. Contains too much light ends. Raise Still temperature or lower reflux.
11. 1 d
2 a
3 e
4 f
5 c
6 b
12. Three of the following:
Lean oil contains too much heavy ends.
Lean oil contains too much light ends.
Lean oil flow has decreased.
Inlet gas and/or lean oil temperature have risen.
Inlet gas rate is up.
Absorber trays are fouled

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS

 PLP TRAINING MANUALS
NUMBER TITLE

F-1 Basic Units of Measurement

F-2 Measurement of Energy
F-3 Hydrocarbons
F-4 Fluid Flow

E-1A Centrifugal Compressors Part 1

E-1B Centrifugal Compressors Part 2
E-2 Piston Type Compressors
E-3 Centrifugal Pumps
E-4 Reciprocating Pumps
E-5 Gas Engines
E-6 Fractionators
E-7 Heat Exchangers
E-8 Indirect Fired Heaters
E-9 Pneumatic Process Instruments
E-10 LACT Units
E-11 Lean Oil Absorbers
E-12 Separators

P-1 Cryogenic Gas Plants

P-2 Glycol Dehydration Process
P-3 Contactor in Dehydration Plant
P-4 Stripper in Dehydration Plant
P-5 Molecular Sieve Dehydration Process
P-6 Adsorber in Dehydration
P-7 Crude Oil Emulsion Treating
P-8 Hydrate Inhibition
P-9 Mechanical Refrigeration
P-10 Amine Sweetening Process
P-11 Contactor in Sweetening Process
P-12 Stripper in Sweetening Process
P-13 Stabiblizing Crude Oil & Condensate

M-1 Flow Measurement

M-2 The Gas/Oil Well
M-3 Oilfield Safety

305 WELLS FARGO DR., SUITE 4 • HOUSTON, TEXAS 77090 • (281) 444-7632 • FAX: (281) 586-9876
E-MAIL: PetroLearning@aol.com

LEAN OIL ABSORBERS