Research paper

Simulation of Natural Gas Sweetening of Basrah Gas

Company: Case Study

Keywords
Sour Gas, Natural Gas, natural gas sweetening, simulation, H2S absorption expert
design

Abstract
To prevent pipeline blockage and corrosion, natural gas (NG) is dehydrated and sweetened.
Mechanical equipment can run more effectively and dependably by mitigating the corrosive and fouling
effects of acid gases like H2S and CO2, reducing the risk of equipment failure and maintaining the
desired performance levels. Therefore, reliable methods are needed to reduce and eliminate acid
gases from natural gases. Aqueous di-ethanol amine (DEA) can absorb H2S and CO2 from sour
natural gases, making it suitable for natural gas sweetening. Industrial plant development,
optimization, and management benefit from chemical process simulation. Simulations are inexpensive
and safe for operators. However, results accuracy depends on the simulation's likeness to the
process. This work was aimed to evaluate the amount (maximum) of H2S removed by an aqueous
DEA solution in one of the gas sweetening plants of the Basrah gas company (BGC). For this
purpose, the Central Composite Design (CCD) and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) were used
at a range of Feed flowrate (7200- 7700) kmol/hr, H2S in sweet gas (45-55) ppm., and Excess DEA
(0.12-0.18) % simulated, optimize the process conditions for the maximum removal process. It was
observed that the maximum removal of H2S 99.9373 was achieved at a amine excess solution of 18
%, feed flowrate of sour gas (7700) kmol/hr , and H2S Sweet gas content was (50) ppm. Also, the
results indicate that the effects of the selected process variables on H2S absorption are linear and the
most effective parameter on H2S removal is the H2S amount in sweet gas and the feed flowrate of
sour gas and the effect of excess DEA on H2S removal was least. The findings of this study can help
in better understanding of the selection of the effective variables in the natural gas sweetening
process and obtaining their appropriate values to achieve the highest efficiency.
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1 Simulation of Natural Gas Sweetening of Basrah Gas Company:

2 Case Study
3 Jamela Saadi Aziz1 Dina Sami Kadhim1*
1
4 Basra Engineering Technical College, Southern Technical University, Basra, Iraq
5 *
Corresponding author’s e-mail: dina.sami@stu.edu.iq

6 Abstract
7 To prevent pipeline blockage and corrosion, natural gas (NG) is dehydrated and
8 sweetened. Mechanical equipment can run more effectively and dependably by
9 mitigating the corrosive and fouling effects of acid gases like H2S and CO2, reducing the
10 risk of equipment failure and maintaining the desired performance levels. Therefore,
11 reliable methods are needed to reduce and eliminate acid gases from natural gases. Aqueous
12 di-ethanol amine (DEA) can absorb H2S and CO2 from sour natural gases, making it suitable
13 for natural gas sweetening. Industrial plant development, optimization, and
14 management benefit from chemical process simulation. Simulations are inexpensive
15 and safe for operators. However, results accuracy depends on the simulation's
16 likeness to the process. This work was aimed to evaluate the amount (maximum) of
17 H2S removed by an aqueous DEA solution in one of the gas sweetening plants of the
18 Basrah gas company (BGC). For this purpose, the Central Composite Design (CCD)
19 and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) were used at a range of Feed flowrate
20 (7200- 7700) kmol/hr, H2S in sweet gas (45-55) ppm., and Excess DEA (0.12-0.18)
21 % simulated, optimize the process conditions for the maximum removal process. It
22 was observed that the maximum removal of H2S 99.9373 was achieved at a amine
23 excess solution of 18 %, feed flowrate of sour gas (7700) kmol/hr , and H2S Sweet
24 gas content was (50) ppm. Also, the results indicate that the effects of the selected
25 process variables on H2S absorption are linear and the most effective parameter on
26 H2S removal is the H2S amount in sweet gas and the feed flowrate of sour gas and
27 the effect of excess DEA on H2S removal was least. The findings of this study can
28 help in better understanding of the selection of the effective variables in the natural
29 gas sweetening process and obtaining their appropriate values to achieve the highest
30 efficiency.
31 Keywords: Sour Gas; Natural Gas; natural gas sweetening; simulation; H2S absorption
32 expert design.

33 Introduction
34 In the past decade, the world climate has undergone significant changes, mostly due to
35 the emission of greenhouse gases from oil, coal, and natural gas (NG) combustion. CO2 is
36 a substantial contributor to global warming, accounting for 42%, or 14.2 Gigatons (Gt), of
37 the greenhouse gases emitted from the electricity industry alone. [1]. The World Energy
38 Outlook predicts a decade of rising energy-related CO2 emissions [2]. NG is tasteless,
39 colorless, shapeless, lighter than air, and odorless, Table (1) summarized NG properties
40 [3]. NG combines flammable hydrocarbon gases (C1-C3) 70–(90vol%) and contaminants
41 such as H2S and CO2. These impurities decrease NG heating value, increase pipeline
42 compression costs, and increase the risk of corrosion. The bulk CO2 removal target is the
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43 2–3 mol% CO2 sales gas specification [4]. Properties of NG are summarized in Table (1)
44 [3]. The most fossil fuel energy source utilised in the third step is NG, and it is employed
45 widely in the generation of power and transportation [5].

46 Table(1) Natural Gas Properties [3]

47 Properties Value
48 Oxygen content, weight%, 0.4
49 CH4 concentration, volume %, 80e99
50 Carbon content, weight%, 73.3
51 Hydrogen/carbon atomic ratio, 3.0e4.0
52 Relative density, 15◦C, 0.72e0.81
53 Relative molar mass 17e20
54 Boiling point, ◦C —162
55 Autoignition temperature, ◦C 540e560
56 Vapor flammability limits, volume % 5e15
57 Methane number 69e99
58 Flammability limits 0.7e2.1
59 Octane number 120e130
60 Lower heating/calorific value, MJ/kg 38e50
61 Stoichiometric air/fuel ratio, weight 17.2
62 Stoichiometric lower heating value, MJ/kg 2.75
63 Hydrogen content, weight% 23.9
64 Nitrogen concentration, volume % 0.1e15
65 Ethane concentration, volume % 2.7e4.6
66 Sulfur concentration, weight% (ppm) <5
67 Carbon dioxide concentration, volume%, 1e5
68 Specific CO2 formation, g/MJ 38e50

69 Various geological formations capture naturally occurring gas. Gas reserves are
70 classified as either "conventional" or "unconventional". Conventional gas is captured in
71 porous reservoir formations topped by impermeable rock layers, and when a well intercepts
72 gas, it can move to the surface without pumping. Unconventional gas is created in more
73 complex geological formations, which restricts its migration capacity; thus, alternative
74 extraction techniques are necessary. Several kinds of unconventional gas, such as tight gas
75 and shale gas, are found in reservoirs with extremely low permeability compared to
76 conventional reservoirs. For economic gas extraction in these geological reservoirs,
77 hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling are frequently required [6].

78 Simulation of chemical processes is an effective tool for developing, optimizing, and

79 managing industrial plants. Cases of simulation can be executed with minimal expense and
80 without risk to the operators. However, the results accuracy is contingent on the
81 resemblance between the simulation and the process under consideration [7]. Several
82 process safety, simulation, retrofitting, process modelling, and optimisation investigations
83 have been conducted to improve the effectiveness of the actual industrial process of gas-
84 sweetening [8] . Numerous papers have been written with the intent of investigating the
85 process of sweetening. In their efforts, Juan G. et al. [7] studied simulation of NG
86 sweetening process with DEA utilized two Aspen-simulators, V8.6 (Hysys A-Plus). A.
87 Kazemi et al [9] investigated the possibility that a synergy between carbonate-based and
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88 Merox sweetening methods could decrease Merox solution consumption. J. Gutierrez et

89 al. [10] analysed and compared the investment costs, energy demands, and greenhouse gas
90 emissions of three NG Sweetening processes. V. Quek et al. [5] investigated exploring
91 and validating a mathematical predictive model of MBC high-pressure for applications of
92 sweetening of NG, allowing for model-based parametric analysis and optimization. To
93 determine the energy demand of the NG sweetening process, A. N. Taemeh et al. [11]
94 examined (PZ-MDEA) under various process operating parameters using a novel energy
95 balancing technique. To enhance purified gas production and minimise the high-sulfur NG
96 sweetening unit's overall energy consumption, S. J. et al. [12] established a model for
97 simulation process utilising ProMax built on operational field data from the NG purification
98 plant. J. Aldawsari et al. [1] investigated the sour gas CO2 extraction utilised various Deep
99 eutectic solvents. Y. Deng et al. [13] investigated (3) gas sweetening techniques, LO-
100 CAT® (liquid redox process), SourCatTM (recently designed method), and triazine-based
101 absorption, which can be smaller scales operated at required for sour gas sweetening from
102 stranded resources. X. He. et al. [14] designed a hybrid membrane technique to dehydrate
103 and sweeten a saturated NG with CO2 (10mol%). V. Quek et al. [4] reported a model-based
104 evaluation of an NG sweetening method that combines conventional amine regeneration
105 with high-pressure membrane contactors. D. Tikadar et al. [8] investigated the
106 optimisation of multi-objective of the MDEA-based industrial NG sweetening process
107 utilising the modified multi-objective differential evolutionary algorithm to increase plant
108 performance. K.K. and R.C. Panda [15] investigated sweetening NG for sour gas
109 components (CO2 and H2S) removal. N. Darani et al. [16] investigated CO2 removal with
110 DEA to establish the maximum amount.

111 In addition to a general review of selecting natural gas sweetening processes, this paper
112 aims to focus on natural gas treatment technologies and presented some of the previous
113 studies by researchers on NG sweetening processes and Challenges in Adopting Emerging
114 Techniques in addition of case study of simulating for H2S absorption [17] (natural gas
115 sweetening) for Basrah Gas Company (BGC).

116 Impact of Acid Gases on Sweetening Unit's Mechanical Performance

117 In gas processing facilities, the presence of acid gases in natural gas, such as carbon
118 dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S), may considerably impact the internal
119 mechanical components of sweetening units. Corrosion is one of the main consequences of
120 acid gases on mechanical parts. Equipment can deteriorate and become weaker as a result
121 of corrosion processes that can be started when H2S and CO2 react with metallic surfaces.
122 Material loss, thinning of equipment walls, the development of pits, fissures, or leaks are
123 all consequences of corrosion. This corrosion not only compromises the structural safety of
124 the components but also affects their functionality and lifespan. It may contribute to the
125 fouling of mechanical parts. Equipment surfaces can become fouled when solid particles,
126 hydrocarbons, and other pollutants are left behind. Iron sulfide (FeS) scales, which can
127 build up on surfaces and reduce heat transfer efficiency and blocking flow channels [18].
128 Moreover, the presence of acid gases directly affects the pressure drop that occurs inside
129 the sweetening unit. As previously stated, Corrosive gases play a part in the development
130 of scales, deposits, and blockages, which increase flow resistance and an increased pressure
131 drop. As a result, these factors commonly lead to reduced gas flow rates, decreased
132 operating efficiency, and increased energy consumption.
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133 The Selecting Process of Gas treating,

134 The selecting process of NG treating procedure be built on the compositions of input gas,
135 acid gas concentrations, sulphur compound concentrations, and product of treated gas
136 parameters. If the compounds of sulphur are not eliminated, in liquid products they will end
137 up, necessitating additional processing [3].
138 During the selection process, it is necessary to examine and consider several variables,
139 including:
140 • Capital and operational expenditure
141 • Air, liquid, and solid waste regulations.
142 • Turning on and off units.
143 • Acid gas, liquid, and treated (gas) specifications.
144 • Unit turn- (up, and down) requirements.
145 • Onshore or offshore units, site location, ambient temperatures, and unit capacity.
146 • Variations in composition, flow-rate, temperature and pressure of sour gas.

147 Since the 1930s, many CO2 capture systems, including chemical -absorption, physical -
148 absorption, and, most recently, membranes, have been developed Figure (1) [1].

149 Figure (1)Alternatives for natural gas treating [3],

150 CO2 removal methods based on chemical and physical principles, such as (oxyfuel)
151 combustion[19], carbonate looping[20], cryogenic[21], adsorption[22], absorption[23], and
152 membrane separation[24]. Using standard packed, the bubble, and spray column absorption
153 towers, chemical solvent absorption is the most extensively used method to extract CO2.
154 About ninety percent of acid gas treatment methods employ alkano-amines as solvents,
155 such as methyl-diethanol-amine (MDEA)[25], di-ethanol-amine (DEA)[16], and the
156 methyl-ethanol-amine (MEA)[26], due to their versatility and capability for termination of
157 acid gases to ppm levels [27]. Despite this, typical absorption towers have a big physical
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158 footprint and a high capital cost and are susceptible to operational issues such as liquid
159 entrainment, foaming, and channelling flooding. Membrane technique has been used in
160 large-scale for CO2 removal since the 1980s due to its ability to minimise the carbon
161 footprint and operating and capital expenses. Nevertheless, conventional membranes of gas
162 separation have a low selectivity, and very low permeability can result in significant loss of
163 product [5], [28], [29]. The membrane contactor (MBC) technique combines the benefits
164 of membrane separation and conventional (chemical absorption). MBC has great
165 intensification potential because hollow-fibre membrane (HFM) modules have more mass
166 transfer area than typically packed columns. Modularity allows for flexible design and
167 scale-up, and independently controlling flow-rates of gas and liquid simplifies operations
168 [5]. The Merox method removes mercaptans exclusively. Efficiency diminishes as
169 mercaptan concentration decreases. Adsorption can reduce mercaptan to the standard
170 concentration at low concentrations [30].

171 Table (2) Generic Amines design parameters.

172 Solvent MEA DGA, DEA DPA MDEA
173
Concentration 15e20 45e60 25e30 30e40 35e50
Typically
174 (wt%)
Reaction Heat with 825 850 653 550 475
175
CO2 (Btu/lb)
Lean-loading 0.1e0.15 0.05e0.1 0.05e0.07 0.02e0.05 0.004e0.01
176
Typically
177 (mol/mol)
Typical steam usage 1.0e1.2 1.0e1.2 0.9e1.1 0.8e1.1 0.9e1.1
178
(lb/gal)
Rich-loading 0.30e0.35 0.35e0.45 0.35e0.40 0.30e0.40 0.45e0.55
179
Typically
180 (mol/mol)
Reaction Heat with 820 674 511 475 455
181
H2S (Btu/lb)

182 Chemical absorbents

183 Due to their high CO2 loading and low cost, solvents (amine-based) are the method of
184 choice for extracting CO2 from NG in a "gas sweetening" process. Nevertheless, the high
185 reaction enthalpy, volatility, and corrosivity raises the operational and capital expenses of
186 the overall capture system [3, 8]. Thus, a low-cost, energy-efficient capturing technique is
187 sought [1] . Table (2) summarized the Design Parameters of Generic Amines.

188 Physical absorption,

189 Physical absorption using physical solvents like ionic liquids (recently), Selexol1,
190 Purisol, and Morphysorb1 is an alternative to chemical absorption. Physical solvents absorb
191 CO2 without chemical reactions, saving energy compared to aqueous alkanol-amine
192 solutions. Low solubility and CO2 selectivity are limitations of this method. However, ionic
193 liquids (ILs) can be modified by choosing cations and anions to achieve desired qualities
194 like high solubility and selectivity, making them an interest solvent. ILs' high viscosity,
195 poor biodegradable, unexplained toxicity, high cost, purifying procedures and expensive
196 production make them unsuitable for large-scale applications [1]. Table (3)
197 comprehensively analyses the differences and similarities between chemical and physical
198 solvents (such as carbonates and amines).
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199 Table (3) The comparison of physical and chemical processes [3].
200 Propertiy Chemical absorption Physical-
201 (Amine) (Carbonate) absorption
202 processes processes
203 Operating 100-400 200-250 Ambient
204 temperature (F) temperature
205 Operating pressure Pressure  200 250-1000
206 (psi) insensitive
207 Cost of utility Highly Medium Medium/Low
208 Recovery(absorbents)Stripping Stripping Stream stripping,
209 (reboiled) the Flashing
210 Effect of O2 in the Formation of None Low temperature
211 feed degradation sulfur precipitation
212 products
213 Selectivity Selective for Selective (may be) H2S Selective
214 H20, CO2 some amine
215 (MDEA)
216 Operating problems Corrosion, Columns Corrosion; Heavy
217 foaming, Erosion; instability hydrocarbons
218 degradation ; absorption
219 solution
220 CS2 and COS DGA: removed Converted to H2S and Removed
221 removal DEA: slightly CO2 and removed
222 removed
223 MEA: not
224 removed

225 Absorbents MDEA, DGA, KECO3, Rectisol, Purisol,

226 DEA, MEA KECO3+MEA Selexol,
227 K2CO3+DEA

228 Table (4) Basrah gas company feed composition.

229 Component M.wt yᵢ n xi M

230 (Kg/Kmol) (mole (mole (mass (mass
231 fraction) flow) fraction) flow)
232 H₂S 34 0.05681 426.7772 0.06694 14510.4248
233 C₁ 16 0.59627 4479.3996 0.33061 71670.3936
234 C₂ 30 0.177 1329.6890 0.18401 39890.67
235 C₃ 44 0.08822 662.7410 0.13451 29160.604
236 C₄-C₁₀ 101 0.08095 608.1263 0.28333 61420.7563
237 CO-RSH 62 0.00003 0.22537 0.00006 13.9729
238 N₂ 28 0.00025 1.87808 0.00025 52.5865
239 H₂O 18 0.00047 3.5308 0.00029 63.5544
240 Total 1 1
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241 Design of experiments (DOE) is used to determine cause-and-effect linkages or

242 establish the relationship between process parameters and output. It involves
243 designing the experiment so statistical methods may evaluate the data and draw
244 objective findings [31]. This simulation sought to establish connections between
245 elimination efficiency (response) and absorption process factors to maximize H2S
246 removal efficiency. Feed flowrate (Table 4 summarized the feed composition), H2S
247 ppm sweet gas, and Excess DEA (the independent variables) were investigated in
248 this simulation, and these variables are shown in Table (5) and (6).
249 In the present work, Design-Expert software (12) has been used to design the
250 simulations, optimize and evaluate the system. Design-Expert software can
251 manipulate both process variables and mixture variables

252 Table (5) The Independent variables range and levels.

253 Variables Rnges / Levels

254 LOW (-1) Center (0) High (+)
255 Feed flowrate A 7200 7500 7700
256 (kmol/hr)
257 H2S in sweet gas 45 50 55
258 (ppm)
259 Excess DEA 0.12 0.15 0.18

260 Table (6) sweet gas H2S removal runs.

261 Run feed H2S ppm Excess DEA Removal

262 mol/hr sweet gas ratio
263 1 7450 50 0.15 99.9233
264 2 7700 55 0.12 99.9373
265 3 7450 50 0.15 99.9303
266 4 7450 45 0.15 99.9373
267 5 7200 45 0.12 99.9233
268 6 7700 45 0.18 99.9233
269 7 7200 55 0.18 99.9303
270 8 7450 50 0.12 99.9303
271 9 7700 50 0.15 99.9303
272 10 7200 55 0.12 99.9303
273 11 7700 55 0.18 99.9373
274 12 7450 50 0.15 99.9303
275 13 7700 45 0.12 99.9303
276 14 7450 50 0.15 99.9303
277 15 7200 45 0.18 99.9233
278 16 7450 50 0.18 99.9373
279 17 7200 50 0.15 99.9303
280 18 7450 50 0.15 99.9233
281 19 7450 55 0.15 99.9303
282 20 7450 50 0.15 99.9373
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283 Table (7) ANOVA analysis of H2S removal Absorption.

Mean
284 Source Sum of Squares df F-value p-value
Square
285 Model 0.0001 3 0.0000 1.78 0.1919
286 A-flow rate 0.0000 1 0.0000 1.92 0.1848
287 B-h2s ppm 0.0001 1 0.0001 3.41 0.0833
288 C-excess DEA 4.087E-11 1 4.087E-11 1.795E-06 0.9989
289 Residual 0.0004 16 0.0000
290 Lack of Fit 0.0002 11 0.0000 0.7489 0.6807
291 Pure Error 0.0001 5 0.0000
292 Cor Total 0.0005 19

293 From table (7), Anova analysis, the Model F-value of 1.78 implies the model is not
294 significant relative to the noise. There is a 19.19% chance that an F-value this large could
295 occur due to noise. P-values less than 0.0500 indicate model terms are significant. In this
296 case there are no significant model terms. Values greater than 0.1000 indicate the model
297 terms are not significant. If there are many insignificant model terms (not counting those
298 required to support hierarchy), model reduction may improve your model. The Lack of Fit
299 F-value of 0.75 implies the Lack of Fit is not significant relative to the pure error. There is
300 a 68.07% chance that a Lack of Fit F-value this large could occur due to noise. Non-
301 significant lack of fit is good.

302 Process Variables effect on H2S removal

303 The main effect plots in Figure (2) for H2S Absorption process. These
304 experiments (simulations) optimize the system when responsiveness is highest. It
305 can be noticed that flow rate, and H2S ppm in sweet gas, positively impact the H2S
306 removal while excess DEA has no effect on the H2S removal.
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307 Figure (2) The main effect (desirability, removal ratio)

308 3D plot (Response Surface)

309 3D response surface plots showed the removal ratio against two independent
310 variables while the other variables remained constant. Like three-dimensional
311 response surface plots, two-dimensional contour plots show how independent
312 variables affect response. 3D response surface plots for measured responses were
313 designed to understand better how independent parameters and their interactions
314 affect dependent ones. When surfaces responded circularly in 3D, the corresponding
315 parameters had little interaction. The elliptical or saddle plot shows that the relevant
316 components interacted significantly, figure (3).

317 From figure (3a), it was noticed that there is no relation between the H2S content
318 in sweet gas and the excess of (DEA) at constant flow rate. From figure (3b), it was
319 noticed that there is a relation between the H2S content in sweet gas and the feed
320 flow rate at constant excess of (DEA), and the removal ratio raised as both raised.
321 From figure (3c), it was noticed that there is no relation between feed flow rate and
322 the excess of (DEA) at constant H2S content in sweet gas.
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323 (a) Flow 7700

324 (b) Excess 0.18

325 (c) At 50 ppm

326 Figure (3) 3D plot for removal ratio
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327 Optimum Condition Selection,

328 The objective of this simulation was mainly for establishing the optimum
329 variables values for H2S removal using DEA. The Design-Experts software was
330 utilised for evaluating the optimum condition by CCD. The input factors were “in
331 the range,” while the response (% H2S removal) was chosen as “maximum.” The
332 desirability value was (0.85) gained. The optimum conditions to obtain a maximum
333 percentage of H2S Absorption was obtained as 99.9352, was shown under the
334 optimum 7700 MOL FLOWRATE, H2S in sweet gas 55ppm, and excess DEA
335 (0.18), which were depicted in Fig (4).

336 Fig.(4) The desirability and the optimum values for maximum removal ratio.

337 Conclusions
338 Fortunately, gas reserves are increasing, but new gas in the planet's isolated and/or
339 stranded regions sometimes needs better quality. Various technologies are now used to
340 remove H2S and CO2 from NG. According to the chemical phenomena, absorption with
341 alkanol amines is the most time-consuming method for acid gas elimination. In certain
342 instances, however, membrane technologies are considered an option due to their superior
343 performance, cleanliness, energy requirements, operational costs, and locational
344 flexibility. An industrial NG sweetening process is optimised regarding environmental,
345 safety, and economic factors to improve plant performance in energy-saving potential and
346 acid gas removal under normal and degrading feed gas quality. In conclusion,
347 this study successfully evaluated the performance of an aqueous DEA solution in removing
348 H2S from natural gas in a gas sweetening plant of the Basrah Gas Company (BGC). The
349 maximal H2S removal efficiency achieved through optimization using CCD and RSM
350 approaches was 99.9373%. According to the research, the amount of H2S in sweet gas and
351 the flowrate of sour gas are key factors affecting H2S absorption. These results contribute
352 to providing insights into not only optimizing the sweetening process for extreme H2S
353 removal but also comprehending the mechanical implications. Using this information can
354 help prevent problems with corrosion, fouling, pressure drop, wear, erosion, and thermal
355 load. It can also help with equipment design considerations and maintenance procedures.
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356 Ultimately, the study aims to enhance the overall understanding and operation of the gas
357 sweetening process, both from a chemical and mechanical perspective, to improve
358 efficiency and ensure the reliability of the equipment.

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Table 1
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Table(1) Natural Gas Properties [3]

Properties Value
Oxygen content, weight%, 0.4
CH4 concentration, volume %, 80e99
Carbon content, weight%, 73.3
Hydrogen/carbon atomic ratio, 3.0e4.0
Relative density, 15◦C, 0.72e0.81
Relative molar mass 17e20
Boiling point, ◦C —162
Autoignition temperature, ◦C 540e560
Vapor flammability limits, volume % 5e15
Methane number 69e99
Flammability limits 0.7e2.1
Octane number 120e130
Lower heating/calorific value, MJ/kg 38e50
Stoichiometric air/fuel ratio, weight 17.2
Stoichiometric lower heating value, MJ/kg 2.75
Hydrogen content, weight% 23.9
Nitrogen concentration, volume % 0.1e15
Ethane concentration, volume % 2.7e4.6
Sulfur concentration, weight% (ppm) <5
Carbon dioxide concentration, volume%, 1e5
Specific CO2 formation, g/MJ 38e50
Table 2
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Table (2) Generic Amines design parameters,

Solvent MEA DGA, DEA DPA MDEA
Concentration 15e20 45e60 25e30 30e40 35e50
Typically
(wt%)
Reaction Heat with 825 850 653 550 475
CO2 (Btu/lb)
Lean-loading 0.1e0.15 0.05e0.1 0.05e0.07 0.02e0.05 0.004e0.01
Typically
(mol/mol)
Typical steam usage 1.0e1.2 1.0e1.2 0.9e1.1 0.8e1.1 0.9e1.1
(lb/gal)
Rich-loading 0.30e0.35 0.35e0.45 0.35e0.40 0.30e0.40 0.45e0.55
Typically
(mol/mol)
Reaction Heat with 820 674 511 475 455
H2S (Btu/lb)
Table 3
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Table (3) The comparison of physical and chemical processes [3]

Propertiy Chemical absorption Physical-absorption
(Amine) processes (Carbonate) processes
Operating 100-400 200-250 Ambient
temperature (F) temperature
Operating pressure Pressure  200 250-1000
(psi) insensitive
Cost of utility Highly Medium Medium/Low
Recovery(absorbents)Stripping Stripping Stream stripping,
(reboiled) the Flashing
Effect of O2 in the Formation of None Low temperature
feed degradation sulfur precipitation
products
Selectivity Selective for some Selective (may be) H2S Selective
H20, CO2 amine (MDEA)
Operating problems Corrosion, Columns Corrosion; Heavy
foaming, Erosion; instability hydrocarbons
degradation ; absorption
solution
CS2 and COS DGA: removed Converted to H2S and Removed
removal DEA: slightly CO2 and removed
removed
MEA: not
removed

Absorbents MDEA, DGA, KECO3, Rectisol, Purisol,

DEA, MEA KECO3+MEA Selexol,
K2CO3+DEA
Table 4
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Table (4) Basrah gas company feed composition.

Component M.wt yᵢ n xi M
(Kg/Kmol) (mole (mole (mass (mass
fraction) flow) fraction) flow)
H₂S 34 0.05681 426.7772 0.06694 14510.4248
C₁ 16 0.59627 4479.3996 0.33061 71670.3936
C₂ 30 0.177 1329.6890 0.18401 39890.67
C₃ 44 0.08822 662.7410 0.13451 29160.604
C₄-C₁₀ 101 0.08095 608.1263 0.28333 61420.7563
CO-RSH 62 0.00003 0.22537 0.00006 13.9729
N₂ 28 0.00025 1.87808 0.00025 52.5865
H₂O 18 0.00047 3.5308 0.00029 63.5544
Total 1 1
Table 5
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Table (5): The Independent variables range and levels.

Variables Rnges / Levels

LOW (-1) Center (0) High (+)
Feed flowrate A 7200 7500 7700
(kmol/hr)
H2S in sweet gas 45 50 55
(ppm)
Excess DEA 0.12 0.15 0.18
Table 6
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Table 6 sweet gas H2S removal runs,

Run feed H2S ppm Excess DEA Removal

mol/hr sweet gas ratio
1 7450 50 0.15 99.9233
2 7700 55 0.12 99.9373
3 7450 50 0.15 99.9303
4 7450 45 0.15 99.9373
5 7200 45 0.12 99.9233
6 7700 45 0.18 99.9233
7 7200 55 0.18 99.9303
8 7450 50 0.12 99.9303
9 7700 50 0.15 99.9303
10 7200 55 0.12 99.9303
11 7700 55 0.18 99.9373
12 7450 50 0.15 99.9303
13 7700 45 0.12 99.9303
14 7450 50 0.15 99.9303
15 7200 45 0.18 99.9233
16 7450 50 0.18 99.9373
17 7200 50 0.15 99.9303
18 7450 50 0.15 99.9233
19 7450 55 0.15 99.9303
20 7450 50 0.15 99.9373
Table 7
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Table 7. ANOVA analysis of H2S removal Absorption

Mean
Source Sum of Squares df F-value p-value
Square
Model 0.0001 3 0.0000 1.78 0.1919
A-flow rate 0.0000 1 0.0000 1.92 0.1848
B-h2s ppm 0.0001 1 0.0001 3.41 0.0833
C-excess DEA 4.087E-11 1 4.087E-11 1.795E-06 0.9989
Residual 0.0004 16 0.0000
Lack of Fit 0.0002 11 0.0000 0.7489 0.6807
Pure Error 0.0001 5 0.0000
Cor Total 0.0005 19
 Figure 1
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Figure (1)Alternatives for natural gas treating [3]

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 Figure 2
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Figure (2) The main effect (desirability, removal ratio)

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 Figure 3
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Figure (3) 3D plot for removal ratio

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 Figure 4
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Figure (3) 3D plot for removal ratio

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 Figure 5
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Figure (3) 3D plot for removal ratio

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 Figure 6
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Fig.(4) The desirability and the optimum values for maximum removal ratio.

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 Index

Manuscript body
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Tables
Table 1 - Download source file (14.29 kB)
Table(1) Natural Gas Properties [3]

Table 2 - Download source file (12.69 kB)

Table (2) Generic Amines design parameters,

Table 3 - Download source file (15.09 kB)

Table (3) The comparison of physical and chemical processes [3].

Table 4 - Download source file (12.74 kB)

Table (4) Basrah gas company feed composition.

Table 5 - Download source file (12.15 kB)

Table (5) The Independent variables range and levels.

Table 6 - Download source file (12.67 kB)

Table (6) sweet gas H2S removal runs.

Table 7 - Download source file (12.62 kB)

Table (7) ANOVA analysis of H2S removal Absorption.

Figures
Figure 1 - Download source file (46.46 kB)
Figure (1)Alternatives for natural gas treating [3]

Figure 2 - Download source file (55.2 kB)

Figure (2) The main effect (desirability, removal ratio)

Figure 3 - Download source file (181.29 kB)

Figure (3) 3D plot for removal ratio

Figure 4 - Download source file (168.94 kB)

Figure (3) 3D plot for removal ratio

Figure 5 - Download source file (164.57 kB)

Figure (3) 3D plot for removal ratio

Figure 6 - Download source file (27.23 kB)

Fig.(4) The desirability and the optimum values for maximum removal ratio.

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