Parametric sensitivity analysis on a GASCOʹs acid gas removal plant using ProMax simulator

High energy requirements and operational limitations make natural gas sweetening with amine absorption process very sensitive to any operational change. The present investigation is an effort for identifying the key factors that may cause abnormality in process, changes in product specifications and energy requirements. A steady state model was developed on ProMax simulation platform for determining the sensitivity of parameters effecting the absorption process. Variables affecting absorption of acid gases directly and indirectly were tested. It was determined that the process can tolerate up to 4% CO2 and 1% H2S in feed gas and it can operate around a large range of designed feed capacity 50–130%. The most suited feed gas temperature was determined to be 40–45 °C. The optimum amine concentration and flow was found to be closer to the designed value of 45% and 360 m3/h respectively. Behavior of the process with respect to parameters affecting the absorption process indirectly such as reboiler operating pressure, rich amine temperature, reflux ratio and boilup ratio was also determined.