Processing systems/design

Hybrid Solvent Helps Ease Bottlenecking in Natural-Gas Plant

Processing sour natural gas is a challenge. If mercaptans are present in the sour gas, the limited mercaptan-absorption capacity of the well-known alkanolamine solvents can be a problem.

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Fig. 1—Hydrocarbon solubility in hybrid solvents.

Processing sour natural gas is a challenge. If mercaptans are present in the sour gas, the limited mercaptan-absorption capacity of the well-known alkanolamine solvents can be a problem. A solution is to replace the usual alkanolamine aqueous solvent with a hybrid formulation that allows simultaneous removal of mercaptans and acid gases. A new solvent has been developed by the addition of a physical component into a generic alkanolamine/water solvent.

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