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Abstract This study pioneers an advanced exergy analysis approach to evaluate the energy and exergy dynamics of natural gas sweetening. Focusing on a ternary blend of Mono Ethanol Amine (MEA), Di Ethanol Amine (DEA), and Piperazine (PZ), the research aims to enhance understanding of process exergy. The investigation encompasses energy, exergy, sensitivity, and a 2-level full factorial design, aiming to refine natural gas while reducing environmental impact. The study employs Aspen HYSYS V10 to model the Acid Gas Removal Unit (AGRU), with specified operational parameters. The absorption and regeneration columns, heat exchanger, cooler, pump, and valves are key components analysis. Sensitivity analysis highlights the crucial influence of parameters such as reflux ratio, circulation flow rate, lean amine molar flowrate, lean amine temperature, and lean amine pressure inlet. Findings underscore the significance of optimizing these factors for efficient sweetening. Notably, increasing the reflux ratio enhances CO2 capture efficiency, albeit with increased energy regeneration requirements. The type and concentration of solvent used significantly influences regeneration energy demand. The lean amine temperature and pressure also play crucial roles in the efficiency of the sweetening process. ANOVA results confirm the statistical significance of circulation flow rate and lean amine pressure inlet, underscoring their impact on CO2 capture efficiency. The study establishes the optimal conditions for achieving high CO2 capture efficiency with minimal regeneration energy demand. Exergy analysis reveals that the regenerator unit accounts for the highest destruction rate, followed by the heat exchanger and cooler. This analysis provides valuable insights for optimizing the amine-based CO2 absorption-desorption capture processes. In summary, this research offers a comprehensive exploration of advanced exergy analysis for natural gas sweetening using a ternary amine blend. The findings provide valuable insights for refining natural gas processing with reduced environmental impact, advancing sustainable energy technologies, and promoting more responsible fossil fuel utilization.
Sornumpol et al. (Mon,) studied this question.