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Natural gas treating with molecular sieves. Pt. 2. Regeneration, economics

Journal Article · · Pipeline Gas J.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5916112

Regeneration considerations are often the key to successful and economical application of molecular sieves for natural gas sweetening. In effect, molecular sieves remove the sulfur compounds from the feed stream and concentrate them into a smaller regeneration gas stream. Because a molecular sieve natural gas sweetener concentrates the hydrogen sulfide from the feed stream in a smaller regeneration gas stream, the sulfur-rich gas must be subsequently treated or disposed of. Molecular sieve sweeteners afford a high degree of flexibility in operating rates. They have a very high turndown ratio limited only by the use of product gas for regeneration, which can be utilized to full advantage with a control system that provides variable cycle times. Tabular data provide a range of designed conditions for existing molecular sieve natural gas sweeteners. Actual operating experience has shown that, in most cases, the following economical advantages can be realized: (1) investment cost is competitive to alternate forms of gas treating; (2) operating cost of molecular sieve units are generally lower (3) the value of carbon dioxide left in natural gas can lead to a considerable operating credit; and (4) the incremental costs of expansion to an existing plant are normally much less. (24 refs.)

Research Organization:
Union Carbide Corp
OSTI ID:
5916112
Journal Information:
Pipeline Gas J.; (United States), Journal Name: Pipeline Gas J.; (United States) Vol. 199:10; ISSN PLGJA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English