Energy Saving through Modeling of Integrated Distillation Column (Side-Stripper) in Natural Gas Liquid Processing

Abstract:

In Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) recovery, distillation process is the most common and widely used separation method. The productions of ethane, propane, butane and stabilized condensate are achieved through a series of conventional distillation columns which require massive amount of energy consumption, contributing more than 40% of the overall plant energy thus increasing the operating cost. This work focuses on energy saving in natural gas liquid processing by comparing the integrated side-stripper column with the conventional separation trains at steady state using a commercial simulator, Aspen Plus HYSYS. Energy analysis from the study shows that the integrated column arrangement which implement the side-stripper configuration achieved favourable result as it offers the highest percentage in energy reduction which is up to 68% (for reboiler) and 70% (for condenser). Consequently, this can be linked to the reduction of operating cost for hot and cool duties and trim down the overall production cost for existing NGL recovery plant.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 699)
• Pages: 822-827
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.699.822
• Online since: November 2014
• Authors: Yasmin Syazwani Yusri, Rohani Mohd. Zin, Ruzitah Mohd Salleh
• Keywords: Condenser Duty, Distillation, Energy Saving, Integrated Distillation, Reboiler Duty, Side-Stripper

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