Technical paper
Highly Sour Amine Sweetening Process Study for Conditions Common in the Middle East
Highly sour gas is an increasingly viable gas to treat and process in the Middle East. This paper details the optimization methodology necessary when operating or designing a highly sour gas plant at high pressures and temperatures, more commonly seen in the Middle East. The study explores DGA®, DEA, MDEA and MDEA + piperazine when selecting the amine solvent to use. It also shows the steps taken to determine the correct operating conditions for high pressure, high temperature and highly sour environments. A similar unit's operating data is used to create a base case for comparing various process enhancements. The study shows this particular unit may be able to save roughly 50% - 75% of its steam consumption by switching from 35% DEA to 50% MDEA or 70% DGA®.
Highly sour gas is an increasingly viable gas to treat and process in the Middle East. This paper details the optimization methodology necessary when operating or designing a highly sour gas plant at high pressures and temperatures, more commonly seen in the Middle East. The study explores DGA®, DEA, MDEA and MDEA + piperazine when selecting the amine solvent to use. It also shows the steps taken to determine the correct operating conditions for high pressure, high temperature and highly sour environments. A similar unit’s operating data is used to create a base case for comparing various process enhancements. The study shows this particular unit may be able to save roughly 50% - 75% of its steam consumption by switching from 35% DEA to 50% MDEA or 70% DGA®.