Effect of Liquid Flow Rate and Amine Concentration on CO2 Removal from Natural Gas at High Pressure Operation in Packed Absorption Column
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) from oil and natural gas operation at offshore platforms have significant contribution to global warming. The reduction of these GHG emissions is possible through CO2 capture technology. This study reports the absorption performance of monoethanolamine (MEA) for the removal of CO2 from natural gas (NG) at high pressure conditions. The absorption experiments were performed in an absorption column packed with Sulzer Metal Gauze Packing at 5.0 MPa operating pressure. The absorption performance was evaluated in terms of CO2 removal (%) with liquid flow rate ranging from 1.81 to 4.51 m3/m2.h and MEA concentration of 1.0 - 4.0 kmol/m3. It was found that CO2 removal (%) had increased with increasing liquid flow rate and MEA concentration.