Simulation of natural gas sweetening process using monoethanolamine aqueous solution

Abstract

The riddance of the acid components of natural gas is known as sweetening, this is achieved throu- gh its absorption with basic solutions such as alkanolamines, throughout  a reversible exothermic reaction, which subsequently allows its regeneration. In this theoretical research was carried out the absorption of CO2 and H2S extant in the natural gas used in the ASPEN PLUS process simu- lator with its thermodynamic package for amines, using as an absorber an aqueous solution of monoethanolamine (MEA).  The ASPEN PLUS software is a good implement by the calculating process operation variables. Su this, satisfactory results were obtained absorption of CO2 and H2S when the f low and concentration of amine is increased. The absorption process occurs in a better way at low temperatures and high pressures; in opposite, the desorption process improves at high temperatures and low pressures. CO2 concentration in the clean gas is influenced by the number of stages of the absorber, but not the H2S.