Simulation and scale-up of the desulphurization of gas streams by adsorption method using numerical simulation

• Published in: Journal of natural gas science and engineering 2020-12, Vol.84, p.103693, Article 103693
• Main Authors: Lobo dos Santos, João Paulo, Katerine de Carvalho Lima Lobato, Ana, Moraes, Caetano, de Lima Cunha, Acto, Marques, José Jailton, Lobato dos Santos, Luiz Carlos
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorption; Hydrogen sulfide; Natural gas; Scale-up; Simulation
• ISSN: 1875-5100
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jngse.2020.103693

Natural Gas usually contains H2S as a major contaminant, and its presence in gas streams can lead to corrosion of equipment and pipelines. Adsorption is a commonly used technique for removing sulfur compounds from gas streams at low concentrations. The desulphurization process is very complex, requiring experimental and pilot-scale studies before the development of a full-scale adsorption column. Such studies often involve simulation and scale-up techniques. Approaches for scale-up techniques applied to the removal of H2S from natural gas in real conditions of transport lacks discussions in the literature. The present study aimed to perform a scale-up of experimental pilot-scale equilibrium data for the real conditions of natural gas transport through gas pipelines using numerical simulation. We evaluated the influence of operating parameters (bed length/diameter ratio, pressure, and temperature) on the removal of H2S from a gas stream in the range of 1.5–3.5, 50–110 bar, and 298–328 K, respectively. The predicted results match real process data providing the elaboration of a scale-up for gas transport conditions in a pipeline. The results showed that at the confidence level of 95%, only pressure was statistically significant, and the optimization of operating conditions increased the amount adsorbed in the equilibrium from 3.71 to 4.70 mol/kg. Bed saturation time was estimated for different operating flows, and the results are in agreement with data reported in the literature. •Experimental data obtained under pilot experimental allow to predict equilibrium data on higher pressures.•Optimization in the operating conditions increased from 3.71 to 4.70 mol/kg in the equilibrium.•Main resistance to mass transfer in the bed was due to the internal solid diffusion.•Zeolite 13× can be an alternative for desulphurization of gas stream under high pressure.