The 11st Asian International Conference of Fluid Mechanic (AICFM)

IIT Madras, Chennai, November 21-23, 2011

Fluid Simulation of Regeneration Acid Gas Removal Process In Floating LNG Production Vessel
Jaswar1, Mazlan2, Nofrizal3, Junaidi4, Azwadi1, Agoes1, Zamani1, Adi1, Affendy2, Zaidi4
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, ASTRA Research Alliance, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia1 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Energy Research Alliance, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia2 PT. Resty Graha Lestary, Pekanbaru, Riau, Indonesia 3 Indonesian National Electric (PT. PLN), Pekanbaru, Riau, Indonesia4 Faculty of Petroleum and Renewable Energy Engineering, EM Research Alliance Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor, Malaysia5 jaswar@fkm.utm.my

ABSTRACT
Simulation of fluid mechanic of regeneration process in removing acid gas from feed sour gas in LNG production plant for 7.8 MTA capacities is presented in this paper. The Regenerator in the Removing Acid Gas Process is designed to produce the lean amine from the resultant rich amine for reuse in the absorber. The desorption occurring in the regenerator are: R 2 CH3 NH + + HS H2 S + R 2 CH3 N HCO 3 CO2 + R 2 CH3 N + H2 O . ; R 2 CH3 NH + +

5. AU 6. RU 7. SU

: Absorption Unit : Regeneration Unit : Supporting Unit

Acid Process Scheme

1. 2. FEED 3. DU 4. FGS : MethylDiethanolamine : Front End Engineering Design : Dehydration Unit : Flash Gas System

The rich solvent is preheated by Lean Rich Heat Exchanger with the hot lean solvent from the bottom of Regenerator blown by Lean Solvent Booster Pump for heat recovery and to minimize the sensible heat duty of Re-Boiler. Then, the preheated rich solvent from Lean Rich Heat Exchanger is mixed with LC from Rich Flash Drum before sending to top section Regenerator. The concentration of H2 S and CO2 evolved in Regenerator is minimized by installation level valve which is located at downstream of Regenerator. It is noted that the effects of oscillation motions due to sea wave on the regeneration process are not discussed.

Regeneration Gas Process

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. LRHE RB LSAC LSTC AGAC AGTC LSP LSBP RP RD RFD RG DSHS SRD SRU TU FWC AA : Lean Rich Heat Exchanger : Re-boiler : Lean Solvent Air Cooler : Lean Solvent Trim Cooler : Acid Gas Air Cooler : Acid Gas Trim Cooler : Lean Solvent Pump : Lean Solvent Booster Pump : Reflux Pump : Reflux Drum : Rich Flash Drum : Re-Generator : De-Super Heater Steam : Solvent Recovery Drum : Sulfur Recovery Unit : Treater Unit : Flash Wash Column : Amine Absorber

KEY WORDS: Liquid Natural Gas; Regeneration; Rich Amine; Lean Amine; Lean Rich Heat Exchanger; De-Heater; Re-Boiler; Reflux System; Rich Flash System. . NOMENCLATURE Introduction
1. 2. 3. 4. CO2 H2 S CO FLNG : Carbon Dioxide : Hydrogen Sulfide : Carbon Monoxide : Floating Liquid Natural Gas

The 11st Asian International Conference of Fluid Mechanic (AICFM) 2011 INTRODUCTION
Currently both increasing global energy demand and environment issue have pushed oil and gas players to search the econ-green alternative sources even to the remote area and deep water. The major alternative source with less environmental impact which is discovered is natural gas. The natural gas contains complex contaminants chemical properties such as: CO2 , H2 S , CO , Acid Gas or Mercaptan. These materials not only constitute great environmental hazards for human body at the atmosphere but also slowed down the production processes. The natural gas is effectively transported through pipelines due the energy content per unit volume is relatively low. As transportation distance increases, the pipelines system becomes inefficient; therefore liquefaction process transform from gas to liquid form is more economical and viable options. Floating LNG production, storage and offloading concepts has gone forward to a mature technology to open impossible, uneconomic, depth water (> 500 meter), and remote gas reservoirs. For offshore resources, there are a number of advantages of the FLNG technology over conventional liquefaction plants such as: ability to station the vessel directly over distant fields thus avoiding expensive offshore pipelines and the ability to move the production facility to a new location once the existing field is depleted. Operation condition for the liquefaction of natural gas process requires at 6 C and very low atmospheric pressure. Carbon dioxide at these operation conditions can freeze out on exchanger surface and plugging lines. As result, the plant efficiency will be reduced. Therefore, removal of CO2 is required before liquefaction process. The acid removal process is also to meet the LNG product specifications, as well as prevent corrosion of process equipment and environmental performance. The acid gas removal or amine gas treating process is divided into three main units as follows: AU, RU and SU. Amine process has been discussed in the paper. Amine absorber unit process has been discussed in the previous research [1]. This paper only discusses fluid mechanic analysis of acid gas removal in regeneration unit process.

IIT Madras, Chennai, November 21-23,

(2)

CO2 + R 2 CH3 N + H2 O R 2 CH3 NH + + HCO 3

The H2 S reacts much faster with the amine than CO2 , because the reaction between amine and H2 S appears gas film diffusion-rate limited, whereas the reaction between the amine and CO2 is kinetically limited. Therefore, if the absorber is designed in such a manner to provide an adequate number of contact stages with sufficient contact time, total absorption of H2 S and CO2 can be achieved. The trays in the absorber are designed with sufficient contact time such that CO2 content of the sweet gas meets the 25 ppmv specification while also achieving the 2 ppmv H2 S specification. The activator present in the solvent enhances CO2 reaction kinetics, enabling its essentially complete removal. To achieve low H2 S and CO2 slippage in the absorber operating at high pressure, it is necessary to strip the amine to a very low acid gas loading which is typical loading < 0.0 mole acid gas/mole amine. Steam stripping occurs in the regenerator at high temperature and reverses the reactions given above. The steam reduces the partial pressure of H2S and CO2 over the amine, thus reducing the equilibrium concentration (or loading) of these components in the amine.

REGENERATION GAS PROCESS FLOW

The Regeneration unit mainly consists of the following equipment: Regenerator Unit, LRHE, RB, LSAC, LSTC, AGAC, AGTC, LSP, LSBP, RP, and RD. The flashed rich solvent from RFD is flown to the LRHE as shown in Table.1. The hot lean solvent, as shown in Table.1, is cooled by LRHE sent to the LSAC. The purpose is to minimize the amount of CO2 and H2 S evolved in LRHE, level control valve is located downstream of LRHE. The rich solvent is preheated by LRHE with the hot lean solvent from the bottom of RG blown by LSBP for heat recovery and to minimize the sensible heat duty of RB, as shown in Table.2. Then, the preheated rich solvent from LHRE, as shown in Table.2, is mixed with LC from RFD before sending to top section RG. The temperature and pressure will be drop to 99 C and .8 .

Acid Gas Air Cooler

Acid Gas Trim Cooler

Acid Gas to FEED Gas Drum

ACID GAS PROCESS SCHEME

Amine gas treating is also known as gas sweetening and acid gas removal. The acid gas removal unit in LNG process is designed to remove unnecessary gases such as: H2 S and CO2 and other sulphur compounds from the FEED sour gas by means of chemical absorption. Currently, there are many acid gas treating processes available for removal of CO2 from natural gas. These processes include Chemical solvents, Physical solvents, Adsorption Processes Hybrid solvents and Physical separation using membrane. The chemical solvents and physical solvents or combination of these two have been used extensively in existing base load LNG facilities. The process scheme selected in the present study is MDEA. In the process scheme, the treated gas is sent to DU, the flash gas is sent to FGS, and the acid gas is sent to SRU. The MDEA is a tertiary amine and an activator. The amine reactions occurring in the absorber are: H2 S + R 2 CH3 N R 2 CH3 NH + + HS (1)
Reflux Drum
Reflux pump

Regenerator

LS to LS Air Cooler

Sour Water

FRS from RF Drum

Lean Rich exchanger Skim Oil

DeHeater

( Solvent Recovery Drum)

LSB pump

Re-boiler

Fig.1 Regeneration process of acid gas removal flow diagram. Table.1 Mechanical properties of rich and lean solvents from RFD and to LSAC to and from the LRHE

MP Steam Condensate

The 11st Asian International Conference of Fluid Mechanic (AICFM) 2011

Items Lean Solvent from LRHE to LSAC Liquid 0.17 0.60 0.00 29.0 985.0 79 9.3 1,600,000 Rich Solvent from RFD to LRHE Liquid 7.1 21.8 0.0 29.0 1055.0 66 7.0 1,700,000

IIT Madras, Chennai, November 21-23,

bottom RG to RB Liquid 0.17 0.85 0.00 27.0 947.0 22 .9 1,800,000 RG Vapor 1.3 21.0 0.0 18.0 1.0 23 .9 190,000

State H2 S ( % ) CO2 ( % ) Sulfur ( % ) olecular () ensity (/3 ) Normal Operating Temperature ( C ) Normal Operating Pressure (Bar) Total flow kg/h ()

State H2 S ( % ) CO2 ( % ) Sulfur ( % ) olecular () ensity (/3 ) Normal Operating Temperature ( C ) Normal Operating Pressure (Bar) Total flow kg/h ()

Table.2 Mechanical properties of rich and lean solvents from RFD and to LSAC to and from the LRHE Items Lean solvent from bottom RG to LHRE Liquid 0.16 0.60 0.00 29.0 947.0 23 0.7 1,600,000 Preheated rich solvent from LRHE to RG Mixed 7.1 22.0 0.0 29.0 650.0 09 5.4 1,700,000

State H2 S ( % ) CO2 ( % ) Sulfur ( % ) olecular () ensity (/3 ) Normal Operating Temperature ( C ) Normal Operating Pressure (Bar) Total flow kg/h ()

The steam generated in RB travels up RG, stripping the acid gas from the down-flowing solvent in the stripping section of the column. The steam and desorbed gases exiting the stripping section combine with the flashed vapors from the incoming rich solution, and pass through the three water wash trays, where the vapors are scrubbed by reflux water as shown in Table.4, from RP. The reflux water, in addition to cooling the rising vapors, reduces solvent entrainment. The RG overhead exits from the top of the column at the mechanical properties as shown in Table.4. Table.4 Mechanical properties of rich and lean solvents from RFD and to LSAC to and from the LRHE Items Reflux water from RP to RG Cooling solvent from RGB to AGAC Vapor 24.5 75.0 0.0 27.0 2.0 02 .8 176,000

RG has two packed beds in the stripping section below the rich feed point, and three-water wash trays above the feed point to minimize solvent losses. The preheated rich solvent from LRHE enters near the top of RG where the acid gas is partially flashed off and then completely stripped of acid gas by the rising steam vapors generated by RB. The total stripping heat duty is determined by the sensible heat requirement of the solvent, RG overhead steam requirement, and the heat to desorbs CO2 and H2 S from the solvent. The desorption occurring in the regenerator are: R 2 CH3 NH + + HS +H H2 S + R 2 CH3 N CO2 + R 2 CH3 N + H2 O

State H2 S ( % ) CO2 ( % ) Sulfur ( % ) olecular () ensity (/3 ) Normal Operating Temperature ( C ) Normal Operating Pressure (Bar) Total flow kg/h ()

Liquid 44.00 52.50 0.00 29.0 1054.0 4 .8 1,800,000

(3)

R 2 CH3 NH + + HCO 3

+H

(4)

The hot lean solvent, as shown in Table.3, exits the bottom of packing is collected by a draw-off tray, and is fed to RB. DSHS at 55 C is used as the heating medium for RB. The heated solvent as shown in Table.3, exits RB, and then enters RG below the draw-off tray. The liberated steam flows upward and contacts the downward flowing solvent. The liquid phase of the heated solvent collects in the bottom of RG which acts as a surge to protect the LSBP. Table.3 Mechanical properties of rich and lean solvents from RFD and to LSAC to and from the LRHE Items Collected hot LS from Heated solvent from RB to

The RG overhead vapor is cooled in AGAC to 60 C and further cooled to 4 C in AGTC, condensing water from the acid gas stream. The resulting two-phase mixture from the coolers enters RD to separate the condensed water from the Acid Gas. Hydrocarbon skimming for the RG is provided in RD to allow liquid hydrocarbon withdrawal when necessary to SRD. The acid gas exits through a demister pad to minimize liquid entrainment, and then it is sent to SRU. RD is pressure controlled and leaves battery limits at 0.3 bar. The condensed water is returned via RD to the top of RG water wash section. A portion of condensed water can be purged to sour water TU as needed to maintain solvent strength, if excess water exists. Also, the suction of RP has a Chemical Injection Point to allow the introduction of antifoam into Regenerator when required. Upon exiting the bottom of RG, the lean solvent is boosted in pressure by LSBP. The lean solvent from the pump discharge then flows to LRHE, where the lean solvent is cooled by heat exchange with the rich solvent.

The 11st Asian International Conference of Fluid Mechanic (AICFM) 2011

5. The lean amine from LRHE is cooled by air in LSAC to 60 C and further cooled in LSTC to 45 C . Above the lean solvent design temperature of 45 C, the solvents ability to absorb acid gas decreases. The solvent exiting the coolers is split to 20.5 to the packed column h section of FWC, as shown in Table.5, and 25% of the lean solution flow rate to the filtration section with the balance by passing the filters, and then recombining with the filtration section effluent. Table.5 Mechanical properties of solvents from cooler and to LSAC to and from the LRHE Items Solvent from LSTC to FWC Liquid 0.16 0.60 0.00 29.0 1009.0 45 6.8 1400 Heated solvent from RB to RG Vapor 1.3 21.0 0.0 18.0 1.0 23 .9 190,000
m3

IIT Madras, Chennai, November 21-23,

Salako Abiodun Ebenezer, J. S. Gudmundsson, (2005), Removal of Carbon Dioxide from Natural Gas Production for LNG Production, Project Report, Institute of Petroleum Technology Norwegian University of Science and Technology. Associated Waste Report: Dehydration and Sweetening Wastes, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

6.

State H2 S ( % ) CO2 ( % ) Sulfur ( % ) olecular () ensity (/3 ) Normal Operating Temperature ( C ) Normal Operating Pressure (Bar) Total flow kg/h ( )

LSP increases the solvent from the intermediate pressure provided by LSBP to the operating pressure of AA, around 67.6 bar. Flow of lean solvent to AA is regulated by a flow control valve in the lean solvent line downstream of LSP. Also the suction line of LSP has a Chemical Injection Point to allow the addition of antifoam to the AA when required.

SUMMARY
Fluid analysis of acid gas removal in regeneration unit has been discussed which is using the MDEA scheme. Result of the study will is purposed to be applied for floating LNG vessel of more than 7.0 MTA production capacities. The process consists of Feed Gas Filtration and Preheating Process, Amine Absorption System, and Carbon Filtration Process. In the simulation, total rich solvent flows from RFD to LRHE and lean solvent flows from LRHE to LSAC are estimated 1.7 and 1.6 million kg/h, respectively.

REFERENCES
1. Jaswar, Mazlan, Nofrizal, Junaidi, Azwadi, Agoes, Zamani, Adi, Affendy, Zaidi, Fluid Simulation of Absorption Acid Gas Removal Process In Floating LNG Production Vessel. Jaswar, (2010), "Study on Mechanical Process Facility of Floating LNG Vessel," Asia Pacific Offshore Conference, Vol.1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Jaswar, (2010), " EPC Floating LNG Using UTMs NAOE Tool," Asia Pacific Offshore Conference, Vol.1, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Carroll, John, J., Maddocks, James, R. (1999), "Design Considerations for Acid Gas Injection, Laurence Reid Gas Conditioning Conference.

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