Computer Simulation Of Gas Treating Unit And Comparison With Plant Data

Abstract

Predicting the performance of an industrial plant using computer simulation is becoming a common practice. Confirming the effectiveness of computer packages is not so common. The Shahid Hasheminejad Gas Treating Unit (GTU) in north east Iran provided an opportunity to test two different commercially available computer program packages. The GTU, consists of an amine contactor and a stripping column. The programs use different techniques for correlating/predicting equilibrium concentrations in the acid gas ethanolamine system. Comparing the calculated temperature profiles, liquid phase acid gas loadings and sweet gas purity with operating plant data shows that the results for both simulation packages agree well with plant data. This gives the engineer confidence that the plant is operating effectively and that the computer packages can be used with confidence to predict plant performance and to size plant equipment for final plant design.