Gas Sweetening Types ofnaturalgases Wet gas or Associated gas from rezervoirwithcrude oll-C2+ Morethans% Drygasor Non associated gas rom reservoirwith ite orne ol Cvless than Si Acid gas The gates which combine wth watertogive acid Hasandco2 sweetgas Thegas without 2s sourgas The gas with H2S andother sulphur compoundsGas Sweetening Why to remove acid gases ? Hydrogen suifide sight toxic sa toxic levels, its odorless +10 pom at prolonged exposure is toxic +1,000 ppm + death occursin minutes sinpresence of waterit forms a weak, corrosive acid +Other sulfur compounds + Carbon disulfide (C52), + Mercaptans (RSH), and + sulfides (RS), + Elemental sulfur coz sitforms 2 weak, corrosive acid inthe presence of water. sitdoes not burnin fuelGas Sweetening Gas sweetening process A. Solid Bed Absorption Methods The gas stream flows through a fied bed of solid particles that remove the acid gaces through chemical reaction or lonicbondingand hold them in the bed When the bed is saturated with acid gates, the vezee ie removed from service and the solid absorbent bed is regenerated or replaced, Three processes + Ironoxide process + Zinc oxide process + Molecularsieve processBo U1eke add notes Gas Sweetening Gas sweetening process 1. Iron oxide (Iron sponge) process The iron sponge process uses the chemical reaction of ferric oxide with H2S to sweeten gas streams. This process is applied to gases with low H2S concentrations (300 ppm) Operates at low to moderate pressures (50-500 psig). Carbon dioxide is not removed by this process.ma | wit tdcote Gas Sweetening Gas sweetening process oo Iron oxide (Iron sponge) process Ee Gas must contain water vapours otherwise some alkaline water with pH 8-10 (add NaOH) is Injected in gas inlet Temperature below 110°F Ferric oxide is impregnated on wood chips, which produces a solid bed with a large ferric oxide surface area.Gas Sweetening Gas sweetening process 2.Zine Oxide Ituses a solid bed of granular zinc oxide to react with the H2S to form water and zinc sulfide: 2n0+ H2S = ZnS +H20 The rate of reaction is controlled by the diffusion process, as the sulfide ion must first diffuse to the surface of the zinc oxide to react. High temperature (>250°F) increases the diffusion rate and is normally used to promote the reaction rate,er Gas Sweetening Gas sweetening process 2. Zine Oxide Zinc oxide is usually contained in long, thin beds. No regeneration of ZnO. Bee life isa function of gas H2S content and can vary from 6 months to in excess of 10 years. The process has seen decreasing use due to increasing disposal problems with the spent catalyst, which is classified as a heavy metal salt.Be ea notes Gas Sweetening Gas sweetening process 3. Molecular Sieves Solid crystallin zeolite in a dry bed to remove gas impurities. Crystalline structure provides a very porous slid material Within the pores the crystal structure creates a large numberof localized polar charges called active ites, Polar gas molecules, such as H2S and water, enter the pores form weak ionic bonds at the active sites Nonpolarmolecules such as C02 and hydrocarbons will not bond to the active sites.oh Gas Sweetening Gas sweetening process 8. Chemical Solvents Use an aqueous solution of a weak base to chemically react with and absorb the acid gases from the natural gas stream, ‘The reactions involvedare reversible by changing the system temperature or pressure, or both, ‘Therefore, the aqueous base solution can be regenerated ‘and thus circulated in a continuous cycle. The majority of chemical solvent processes use either an amine or carbonate solution.Be ea notes Gas Sweetening 8. Chemical Solvents process, ANID" H2S~ (RNH}2S 2AM H2S= (RANHZ}2S 2RNI2» COD = RNHCOONHAR MEAis usally creulatedin a soltion of 15-20% MEA by weightin rom operating experience the sltionloading shouldbe between 05.0.molen lad gas removed perme of REAGas Sweetening The gas sweetening plant has following parts . Inlet separator Absorber or Contactor Flash drum Heat exchanger Regenerator Condenser Reflux drumBe Unie dros Gas Sweetening Inlet Separator 1. The first vessel isthe inlet separator, which performs the important function of separating the fluid phases (oll, gas, water) on the basis of density difference between the liquid and the gas. 2. It can be a two phase separator if the gas contains only water and it can be a three stage separator if the gas contains liquid hydrocarbons (oll, condensate) and water 3. The sour gas flows from the separator into the lower part of the absorber or contactor.Click to add title Absorber or Contactor 4. When the gas reaches the top of the vessel, virtually all the H2S and, depending on the solvent used, all the CO2 have been removed from the gas stream. 5. The gas is now sweet and meets the specifications for H2S, C02, and total sulfur content.Gas Sweetening Flash drum 4. The rich solution leaves the contactor at the bottom 2. The rich solution is flowed into a flash drum, Where most dissolved hydrocarbon gas, condensate and some acid gas flash off Heat exchanger 1. The solution from flash drum then flows through a heat exchanger, picking up heat from the hot solution stream.Gas Sweetening Regenerator 1. The rich solution then flows into the regenerator vessel, where the regeneration of the solvent occurs ata pressure of about 12 to 15 psig and at the solution boiling temperature, 2. Heat is applied from an external source, such as a steam reboiler. 3. The liberated acid gas and any hydrocarbon gas not flashed off in the flash drum leave the regenerator at the top, together with some solvent and alot of water vapor.Gas Sweetening Condenser 4. This stream of vapors from regenerator is flowed through a condenser to condense the solvent and water vapors I Refux drum 1. The liquid and gas mixture from condenser is flowed into 2 separator, normally referred to asa reflux drum, where the acid gas is separated from the condensed liquids. 2. The gas stream, consisting mainly of H2S and CO2, is. jenerally piped to a sulfur recovery unit. 3.the regenerated solution is lowed back to the top of the absorber to continue the sweetening ofthe sour gas,Gas Sweetening Gas sweetening solvents + Variousamines reused as sweeteningsolvents. They dissolve H2SandO2 both with efferent preferences. ‘+ MDEAIsa good gas sweeteningamine because of ts selectivity of hydrogen sulphideovercarbondioxideGas Sweetening 2. Hot Potassium Carbonate Process ‘The hot potassium carbonate (K2CO3) process uses hot potassium carbonate to remove both CO2 and H2S. ‘The main reactions involved in this process are: K2cO3+H2S = KHS + KHCO3 K2c03+ C02 + H20= 2KHCO3 The reactions are reversible based on the partial pressures ofthe acid gases.Gas Sweetening 3. Physical Solvent Process These processes are based on the solubility of the H2S and/or CO2 within the solvent, instead of on chemical reactions between the acid gas and the solvent. Various organic solvents are used to absorb the acid gases. Regeneration of the solvent is accomplished by flashing to lower pressuresGas Sweetening 3. Physical Solvent Process Fluor Solvent Process® Uses propylene carbonate as a physical solvent to remove Coz and H2S. Sulfinol® Process Uses sulfolane. Removes mainly H2S. Seloxol* Process Uses dimethyl ether of polyethylene glycol. Removes mainly was. Rectiso!® Process Uses methanolGas Dehydration Dehydration of Natural Gas Dehydration of natural gas means extracting water vapor from the gas to a specified maximum limit for residual water content. Water vapours form hydrates in the gas pipeline and therefore needs to be removed from the gas before despatch Various processes available for dehydration: ‘+ Absorption with glycol I + Adsorption with dry desiccant + Absorption with a deliquescent saltGas Dehydration 1. Absorption with glycol The gas dehydration plant has following parts . Inlet separator . Absorber or Contactor Flash drum Heat exchanger Regenerator Surge tank and pumping rGas Dehydration Gasdehydration solvents -Giycols ‘There are four glycols that are used in removing water yapor from natural gas or depressing the gashydratelormation temperature 1. Ethylene glycol Not used in gas dehydration. Used in depressing the gas hydrate formation temperature 2.Diethviene gicol - Usedin gasdehydration 3 ethlne eo is thejmost commonly ved gyal for ‘hydration of natural gas because of the advantages + Itis more easly rogenerated toa higher degree of purity + Vaporlosses are lower + Operatingcostsare lower 4. Tetraethvlene glycol ~ Used in gas dehydrationGas Dehydration Inlet Separator 1. The first vessel is the inlet separator, which performs the important function of separating the fluid phases (oil, gas, water) on the basis of density difference between the liquid and the gas. 2. It can be a two phase separator if the gas contains only water and it can be a three stage separator if the gas contains liquid hydrocarbons (oil, condensate) and water 3. The gas flows from the separator into the lower part of the absorber or contactor. TCR aCeClick to add title Absorber or Contractor 1. This is @ vertical vessel usually contains trays 2. Solution containing gas dehydrating solvent (glycol) in waters pumped into the absorber near the top. 3.s the solution flows down from tray to tray, itis in intimate contact with the gas as the gas flows upward through the liquid on each tray. 4. When the gas reaches the top of the vessel, virtually all the water vapours have been removed from the gas stream. Gas leaves the Absorber through mist eleminator S TCR aCeGas Dehydration Flash drum 4. The rich solution leaves the contactor at the bottom 2. The rich solution is flowed into a flash drum, where most dissolved hydrocarbon gas flash off. Heat exchanger 1. The solution from flash drum then flows through a heat exchanger, picking up heat from the hot solution stream. TCR aCeGas Dehydration Regenerator 4. The rich solution then flows into the regenerator vessel, Where the regeneration of the glycol solvent occurs at @ pressure of about 12 to 15 psig and at the solution boiling temperature. 2. Heat.is applied from an external source, such as a steam ‘eboiler. At the high temperature, the glycol loses its ability to hold water; the water is vaporized and leaves through the top of the stl Surge tank and pumping The regenerated glycol flows to the surge tank, from where it is goes to the glycol pump. The pump boosts the pressure of the lean glycol to the contactor pressure. The lean glycol again enters absorber to continue dehydration process. S TCR aCeGas Dehydration 2. Dry Dehydration Solid adsorbents with a great affinity for water are used for dehydration * Silica gel, * Sorbead, + Alumina, and + Molecular sievesGas Sweetening 2.Dry Dehydration Typical equipment for a dry desiccant process Two towers are required for gasdehydration. As the gas lows through one tower containingthe oli. Sesiecant, water's adsorbed “tt ‘onto the surfaceot the ‘material After adsorbing for several hours, the material becomes fully saturated with water3. Dehydration With Deliquescing Dessicants Deliquescing desiccants are salts that adsorb water vapor; the water then condenses and dissolves the salt. The water drops down as brine and is removed from the vessel. New dry-forming technology produces a hard, nonporous, low permeability desiccant. Hydration can only occur on the outside of the desiccant, which helps to maintain its general shape asitis consumed.3. Dehydration With Deliquescing Dessicants Typical improved gas dehydration systemProducts Products from natural gas Methane Ethane Propane Ethane — Propane Mix i-Butane n-Butane Natural Gas Liquid Natural GasolineGas metering Gasvalue chain Meteringat every stage fe isa oes