ABSORPTION

• Used for separation of light

hydrocarbons from the gases.

• Fractional distillation is not suitable

since it requires high pressure and low
temperature to condense the vapor.
 Recovering gasoline from
natural gas
• 1- Wet gas introduced into the bottom of absorption
column.

• 2- Lean absorption oil from the top.

• 3- Dry gas leave the top of the absorber

• 4- the fat absorption oil passes to the stripper.

• 5- C3, C4 are recovered from the absorption oil

METHODS OF OPERATION
Debutanized gasoline is
absorbent

1- Circulate the absorbent continuously

between absorber and stripper

2- Absorption and stripping take place in

the same column, called a rectifying
absorber
The plant processes two
feed streams, wet gas and unstabilized gasoline
containing propane and butane
 lean oil inlet is near the
H2, C1, C2 top of the column
Absorption

feed inlets are near the

section

middle

Stabilization
In upper section the down-
flowing lean oil absorbs

debutanizer
the less volatile
components in the rising
Stripping

vapours
section

C3,
C4, The heat released by
gasol condensation is removed
ine by inter-coolers

Temp. is low to maintain

efficient absorption
 H2, C1, C2
The liquid from the
absorption section
contains more
Absorption

absorbed
section

components than it is
desired to recover.

Stabilization
debutanizer
excess absorbed
Stripping

hydrocarbons are
section

C3, removed by heat

C4, from reboiler
gasol
ine

Fractionation in
debutanizer is under
pressure.
 SOLVENT EXTRACTION
• Some applications:

• Refining of kerosine

• Manufacture of high-grade lubricating oils

• Production of high-octane gasoline fractions

 PRINCIPLE OF SOLVENT
EXTRACTION
(Physical separation )

• It is based upon the use of a solvent in

which one group of oil components,
normally the aromatics, is preferentially
dissolved

• The unrefined oil is first thoroughly

mixed with the solvent and then
allowed to settle, two layers, or phases,
are formed (extract and raffinate)
 Choice of solvent
• 1- selectivity for the type of component to be
removed.

• 2- cheap

• 3- readily available,

• 4- resistant to chemical change during use

• 5- safe to handle
• Extraction is always performed in a number
of stages.

• Oil and solvent are arranged in counter-

current

• the outgoing raffinate is finally extracted with

pure solvent to remove the last traces of
impurities

• performed in a series of mixing and settling

tanks is not economic, so packed tower is
used.
SOLVENT TREATMENT OF
KEROSINE