Optimize amine process design using liquid-phase turbochargers

P. Krish, J. Martin and M. Shirazi, Energy Recovery, San Leandro, California; and J. Thorp, Aramco Services Co., Houston, Texas Acid gas removal is a critical process step in natural gas processing and syngas production for ammonia and other uses. The application of a liquid-phase turbocharger to the acid gas removal unit (AGRU) results in significant energy savings and an improvement to the reliability, availability and maintainability (RAM) of the plant. Here, conventional configurations with high-pressure pumps and new configurations utilizing liquid-phase turbochargers are described. The design of the equipment, process operations and controls, and reliability analysis are included. Th