Modeling for design and operation of high-pressure membrane contactors in natural gas sweetening

Quek, Ven Chian; Shah, Nilay; Chachuat, Benoît

doi:10.1016/j.cherd.2018.01.033

Cited by 28 publications

(25 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Mathematical models accounting for convection, diffusion and reaction in the membrane fibers have proved instrumental in predicting the CO 2 removal efficiency in MBC, and understanding the occurrence and effect of membrane wetting [16]. In particular, models capable of quantitative predictions of the degree of membrane wetting from a membrane's pore size distribution have been developed in atmospheric-pressure MBC [17,18] and, more recently, in high-pressure MBC [19].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…companion paper [29]). We build upon the high-pressure MBC model by Quek et al [19], which uses a combination of 1-d and 2-d mass-balance equations to predict the CO 2 absorption flux under lean operation and various degrees of membrane wetting.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…All of the experiments were conducted in horizontally-oriented modules and with aqueous mixtures of MDEA and piperazine (PZ) as the chemical solvent. In comparison to Quek et al [19], the MBC modules herein were packed with a new HFM, which has a smaller outer radius and is braided to increase the fiber length.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Plant-wide assessment of high-pressure membrane contactors in natural gas sweetening – Part I: Model development

Quek

Shah

Chachuat

2021

Separation and Purification Technology

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This paper presents a predictive mathematical model of high-pressure membrane contactor, with a view to developing a plant-wide model of natural gas sweetening including amine regeneration. We build upon an existing model of high-pressure membrane contactor by Quek et al. [Chem Eng Res Des 132:1005-1019, which uses a combination of 1-d and 2-d mass-balance equations to predict the CO 2 absorption flux and membrane wetting under lean solvent operation. For the first time, quantitative predictions of the CO 2 absorption flux can be made under both lean and semi-lean operations. A 1-d energy balance that accounts for the solvent evaporative losses and the exothermic CO 2 absorption into the amine is solved alongside the mass-balance equations, in order to predict the solvent temperature profile inside the contactor. The evaporative losses of water and amines can be quantified separately, as well as the absorptive losses of light hydrocarbons with the amine solvent. The model's predictive capability is tested against data from a lab-scale module and a pilot-scale module that is operated under industrially relevant conditions at a natural gas processing facility in Malaysia. A close agreement between model predictions and measurements of the CO 2 absorption flux, solvent temperature profile, and hydrocarbon loss is observed for a wide range of gas and solvent flowrates and compositions, thereby validating the modeling assumptions. The contactor model is combined in a plant-wide model of natural gas sweetening in the companion paper, where it is used for process integration and analysis.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Plant-wide assessment of high-pressure membrane contactors in natural gas sweetening – Part I: Model development

Quek

Shah

Chachuat

2021

Separation and Purification Technology

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“…Despite the improvements achieved in this regard, the application of this technology for the GFMA at industrial scale is yet to be addressed. Moreover, there are recent studies proposing design methodologies or new membrane modules for membrane absorption and osmotic membrane distillation which are not been applied at industrial scale [13][14][15][16].…”

Section: Industrially Applied Hollow-fiber Membrane Contactor Modulesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Industrial Modules to Design a GFMA Process for Cyanide Recovery Based on a Phenomenological Model

et al. 2018

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Cyanide recovery in the gold-mining industry is a crucial step in terms of the cost of operation. Currently, a process such as AVR (acidification, volatilization and recycling), based on packed towers for stripping and absorption stages, addresses this issue with high levels of investment and operational costs. Gas-filled membrane absorption (GFMA) emerges then as an attractive alternative because the stripping and absorption stages can be performed in a single stage, reducing associated investment and operational costs. Despite the advantages of this technology, applications at industrial scale are still emerging. A possible reason is the lack of clear scaling-up methodologies where experimental data can be taken to select the optimum industrial hollow-fiber membrane contactor module (HFMC). The present study proposes a methodology to select adequately between available industrial Liqui-Cel TM modules to design a process under optimal operational conditions. The methodology is based on a phenomenological model developed for recovering cyanide by using the GFMA process. Simulation of the Liqui-Cel TM industrial membrane modules employed to recover cyanide in the GFMA process, both in a batch arrangement with a feed-flow rate, and in the range 10-125 m 3 /h, showed that in terms of cyanide recovery there are no differences between the modules tested when they work at the same feed-flow rate. The design criteria to scale-up was determined: to ensure performance at different scales, the length of the transfer unit (HTU) should be kept at different capacities of HFMC modules that comprise the equipment characteristics (mass-transfer area, stream velocities, and mass-transfer coefficient values). Additionally, the number of commercial modules Liqui-Cel TM required to treat 57 m 3 /h and 250 m 3 /h ensuring a cyanide recovery of 95% was also determined. Finally, the most profitable option (lower pressure drop and module cost) resulted in the use of the 14 × 40 Liqui-Cel TM module.

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“…The advantages offered by this technology include a larger specific contact area, higher mass transfer coefficient, a smaller size, and less operational problems such as foaming, channeling, and flooding [ 4 ]. Various studies have been conducted on membrane materials [ 5 ], absorbent types [ 6 ], operating conditions [ 7 ], and process modeling [ 8 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Discussion on Water Condensation in Membrane Pores during CO2 Absorption at High Temperature

Chan

Kang

et al. 2020

Membranes

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Water condensation is a possible cause of membrane wetting in the operation of membrane contactors, especially under high-temperature conditions. In this study, water condensation in pores of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) hollow fiber membranes was investigated during high-pressure CO2 absorption around 70 °C. It was found that the liquid accumulation rate in the treated gas knock-out drum was constant during continuous operation for 24 h when all experimental conditions were fixed, indicating a stable degree of membrane wetting. However, as the operating parameters were changed, the equilibrium vapor pressure of water within membrane pores could change, which may result in a condensation-conducive environment. Water condensation in membrane pores was detected and proven indirectly through the increase in liquid accumulation rate in the treated gas knock-out drum. The Hagen–Poiseuille equation was used to correlate the liquid accumulation rate with the degree of membrane wetting. The degree of membrane wetting increased significantly from 1.8 × 10−15 m3 to 3.9 × 10−15 m3 when the feed gas flow rate was reduced from 1.45 kg/h to 0.40 kg/h in this study due to water condensation in membrane pores. The results of this study provide insights into potential operational limitations of membrane contactor for CO2 absorption under high-temperature conditions.

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Modeling for design and operation of high-pressure membrane contactors in natural gas sweetening

Cited by 28 publications

References 37 publications

Plant-wide assessment of high-pressure membrane contactors in natural gas sweetening – Part I: Model development

Plant-wide assessment of high-pressure membrane contactors in natural gas sweetening – Part I: Model development

Assessment of Industrial Modules to Design a GFMA Process for Cyanide Recovery Based on a Phenomenological Model

Discussion on Water Condensation in Membrane Pores during CO2 Absorption at High Temperature

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