HYDROCARBON

RECOVERY
PRESENTED BY
MELVIN MANUEL MEDINA MERCADO
SONIA ALEJANDRA SNCHEZ GMEZ

PRESENTED TO
M.Sc NICOLAS SANTOS SANTOS

JUNIO 2017
 PROGRAM
Gas Composition
Dew point control
Introduction

Refrigeration methods
-----Mechanical refrigeration
NGL -----J-T Expansion
Recovery -----Turboexpander

Lean Oil Absorption

Solid Bed Adsorption
NGL Membrane Separation Process
Recovery Twister technology
 Introduction NGL (natural
Ethane
gas liquids )
Heavier
Ethane
products

Propane
Heavier
compone
Removing Propano LPG (liquefied Iso and normal
nts Of petroleum gas) butane
Propenes
and butenes

Butano
The
objectives
Introduction

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Gas composition
The gas composition has a major impact on the
economics of NGL recovery and the process
selection.
Gases are typically characterized by the gallons per
thousand cubic feet of recoverable hydrocarbons in
the gas (GPM).
Other consideration in the evaluation of NGL
recovery options is the specification of the
residue sales gas. Sales specifications are usually
concerned with a minimum Higher Heating Value
(HHV) of the gas. In general, sales gas
specifications set the minimum HHV at 950-1150
BTU/scf.
The value of the NGLs in $/gal versus the
value of the components in the residue gas
in $/MMBTU.

GPSA. 2 Volumen. 12 Edition. 2004. p.16-3

Gas composition N2 1,115%
CO2 3,346%
N2 1%
C1 94,808%
CO2 3% 295,862 C2 0,647%
C1 85% MSCFD
Example 16-1 C3 0,067%
Find the GPM of the gas mixture in Figure C2 5,8% iC4 0,008%
16-1. Find the HHV of the feed gas and the C3 3% 330 MSCFD
nC4 0,009%
HHV of the residue gas with the following iC4 0,7%
NGL recovery efficiencies: C2=90%, C2
nC4 0,8%
C3=98%, iC4 /nC4=99%, C5+=100%. What C3
is the shrinkage cost at $2/MMBTU? iC5 0,3%
iC4
nC5 0,2% nC4
C6+ 0,2% iC5
nC5

Scheme performed by the authorsC6+

GPSA. 2 Volumen. 12 Edition. 2004. p.16-1
GPSA. 2 Volumen. 12 Edition. 2004.
p.23-4
p.23-3
GPSA. 2 Volumen. 12 Edition. 2004.
DEW POINT CONTROL
TEMPERATURE

PRESSURE

The cricondentherm of the dew point

curve is primarily determined by the
nature of the heaviest component in the
gas rather than the total quantity of the
heavy component in the feed gas.

GPSA. 2 Volumen. 12 Edition. 2004. p.16-3

 REFRIGERANTS

HOW TO CHOISE A
REFRIGERANTS:
Nontoxic
Noncorrosive
Physical properties
compatible with
the system needs
High latent of
vaporization
 CLASIFY

GPSA. 2 Volumen. 12 Edition. 2004. p.16-3

STRAIGHT REFRIGERATION
this process can simply be used for dew point control when modest liquid recovery is
needed or desired. The recovery level is a strong function of:
1. The feed gas pressure
2. gas composition
This figure lustrates the ethane
3. Temperature level in the refrigeration chiller.
recovery efficiency which can be
expected. As with propane recovery, This figure shows curves
for a given temperature level, higher for estimating the recovery
extraction efficiency can be achieved achievable as a function of
with richer gas. However, ethane temperature and gas
recovery of over 30% can be achieved richness for a given
from a gas as lean as 3 GPM (C3+). processing pressure.

GPSA. 2 Volumen. 12 Edition. 2004. p.16-12

NGL RECOVERY

This are
There figure shows
three general
expected
Inmethods
order wichtopropane and
can be used
achieve higher
butane
to achieve
propane recoveries which and
the conditions
recoveries
can berecovery,
necessary
ethane expected with
to attaincryogenic
high
increasing
ethane recoveryare
temperaturas ethane
levels:
required.
recovery
1. Mechanical
Generally, level.natural
the The gas
propane recovery can vary
refrigeration
processing industry
quite
2. J-TaExpansion
considers bit depending on
cryogenic
theTurboexpander
3. exact choice
processing to be of the
processes
process
wich configuration
oprate be low -50 .
 MECHANICAL
REFRIGERATION
In order to produce the low temperature necessary for liquefaction, mechanical refrigeration
systems
Mixedare utilized. Two types of liquefaction processes can be used to accomplish this
Refrigerant
refrigeration: CASCADE:
Processes:
The first LNG liquefaction
the mixed refrigerant
units utilized the cascade
cycle was developed to
1. Cascade Refrigeration Process refrigeration process. These
simplify the refrigeration
2. Mixed Refrigerant Process facilities use the classical
system. This system uses
cascade cycle where three
a single mixed refrigerant
refrigeration systems are
composed of nitrogen,
employed: propane, ethylene
methane, ethane,
and methane.
propane, butane and
pentane.
 MECHANICAL
REFRIGERATION
In order to produce the low temperature necessary for liquefaction, mechanical refrigeration
systems
Mixedare utilized. Two types of liquefaction processes can be used to accomplish this
Refrigerant
refrigeration: CASCADE:
Processes:
The first LNG liquefaction
the mixed refrigerant
units utilized the cascade
cycle was developed to
1. Cascade Refrigeration Process refrigeration process. These
simplify the refrigeration
2. Mixed Refrigerant Process facilities use the classical
system. This system uses
cascade cycle where three
a single mixed refrigerant
refrigeration systems are
composed of nitrogen,
employed: propane, ethylene
methane, ethane,
and methane.
propane, butane and
pentane.
 J-T EXPANSION
The J-T process does
offer some advantages
over the turboexpander
and refrigeration
processes:
1. Low gas rates and
modest ethane
recovery.
2. The process can be
designed with no
rotating equipment.
3. Broad range of
flows.
4. Simplicity of design
and operation.
GPSA. 2 Volumen. 12 Edition. 2004. p.16-17
REFRIGERATED J-T
In some cases the feed gas is not at high enough pressure or the gas is rich in
liquefiable hydrocarbons. Then mechanical refrigeration can be added to the J-T
process to enhance recovery efficiencies.

GPSA. 2 Volumen. 12 Edition. 2004. p.16-18

 TURBOEXPANDER

The turbo-expander serves

the same purpose as a
chiller, but has the benefit
of being a dry system. It is
smaller and lighter than
the refrigeration system.
A disadvantage is the net
pressure loss, which must
be taken up by the export
compressor.
 TURBOEXPANDER
Is the best choice for removing
ethane and heavier HCs from
natural gas
requires considerable analysis.
Typical Liquid Recovery Levels
C2 60%
C3 90%
C4+ 100%
Advantages
Simple to use
Easy to package (more
expensive than refrigeration)
The design of a turbo-expander
unit involves detailed heat and
material balances
and many flash calculations. Such
design calculations are performed
by
computer simulation programs.
CONVENTIONAL EXPANDER

In this conguration the ethane

recovery is limited to about 80%
or less. Also, the cold separator
is operated at a low temperature
to maximize recovery. Often the
high pressure and low
temperature conditions are near
the critical point of the gas
making the operation unstable.

GPSA. 2 Volumen. 12 Edition. 2004. p.16-19

RESIDUE RECYCLE

To increase the ethane recovery

beyond the 80% achievable with the
conventional design, a source of
reux must be developed for the
demethanizer. One of the methods is
to recycle a portion of the residue gas,
after recompression, back to the top
of the column.
The residue recycle (RR) system has
been used successfully in numerous
facilities.

GPSA. 2 Volumen. 12 Edition. 2004. p.16-20

 GPS DESIGN
The Gas Subcooled Process (GSP)
was developed to overcome the
problems encountered with the
conventional expander process.
This process, shown in Fig. 16-21,
alters the conventional process in
several ways. A portion of the gas
from the cold separator is sent to a
heat exchanger where it is totally
condensed with the overhead
stream. This stream is then ashed
to top of the demethanizer
providing reux to the
demethanizer.

GPSA. 2 Volumen. 12 Edition. 2004. p.16-21

CRR PROCESS

The Cold Residue Recycle (CRR)

process is a modication of the GSP
process to achieve higher ethane
recovery levels. The process ow in
Fig. 16-22 is similar to the GSP except
that a compressor and condenser have
been added to the overhead system to
take a portion of the residue gas and
provide additional reux for the
demethanizer

GPSA. 2 Volumen. 12 Edition. 2004. p.16-22

LEAN OIL ABSORPTION
LEAN OIL ABSORPTION
The absorption method of NGL
recovery is very similar to using
absorption for gas dehydration. This
absorbing oil has an affinity for
NGLs in much the same manner as
glycol has an affinity for water.
Transfer of mass
Typically operated at the
ambient temperature
and a pressure close to
the sales gas pressure

Absorption fluid is It absorbs

intermediate
a type of kerosene
components
or varsol (C7+)
(C3+)
LEAN OIL ABSORPTION
These plants are not as popular as
they once were and are rarely, if ever,
constructed anymore. They are very
difficult to operate, and it is difficult to
predict their efficiency at removing
liquids from the gas as the lean oil
deteriorates
with time.
Typical Liquid Recovery Levels
C3 80%
C4 90%
C5+ 98%
LEAN OIL ABSORPTION
Example 19-7 (GPSA) Oil absorption is to be used to
recover 75 percent of the propane from 100 moles of the rich
gas stream shown below. The absorber is to have six theoretical
plates. What oil circulation rate is to be used if the average
temperature and pressure of the absorber are 104F and 1,000
psig?. The entering lean oil is assumed to be completely stripped or
denuded of rich gas components. What will be the composition of the
residue gas leaving the absorber?
LEAN OIL ABSORPTION

Absorption factor (A) by Kremser (1930) and Brown (1932)

Yo: Moles of any gas component present in the

incoming poor oil, per mole of rich gas
LEAN OIL ABSORPTION
Solution Steps
From Fig. 19-51 at Ea = 0.75, n= 6 (# platos tericos) A = 0.80
Chapter 25 Using the equilibrium ratio obtain the K-value (Kavg) for each
component at 104F and 1,000 psig.
Using Eq 19-29:

(based on 100 moles of gas)

Using Eq 19-28, the oil rate calculated and the component K-values determine
the absorption factor "A" for the remaining components.

LEAN OIL ABSORPTION
Using the absorption-factor values read values of Ea for each component (
Fig. 19-51).
Solve Eq. 19-30 for each component to determine the moles of components in the
residue gas, Y1.
For example, for methane:

Note: For this example, since entering lean oil is assumed completely
stripped of rich gas components. This assumption will not be true for all cases.
 LEAN OIL ABSORPTION
Calculate the moles of each component in the rich oil. For example, for methane:

Composicin Mol % K A Ea Y1 I
C1 90.6 3.25 0.091 0.091 82.36 8.24
C2 4.3 0.9 0.329 0.329 2.89 1.41
C3 3.2 0.37 0.80 0.75 0.80 2.40
iC4 0.5 0.21 1.41 0.96 0.02 0.48
nC4 1.0 0.17 1.74 0.985 0.015 0.985
C6 0.4 0.035 8.46 1.0 0.0 0.40
Total 100.0 86.085 13.915
REFERENCES