Demonstration Test Result of High Pressure Acid-gas Capture Technology (HiPACT)

摘要

This paper is an update from the presentation during the LRGCC 2010 [1]. The HiPACT technology (High Pressure Acid-gas Capture Technology), jointly developed by JGC and BASF, is an advanced CO_2 capture technology that contributes to economical CCS (Carbon dioxide Capture and Storage) implementation in natural gas processing plants. The solvent has excellent stability against thermal degradation, which enables high pressure and elevated temperature operation during solvent regeneration to reduce CO_2 compression costs downstream. The solvent also has a higher CO_2 absorption capacity than commercially available solvent technologies, which results in decreased solvent circulation rates and lower AGRU (Acid Gas Removal Unit) capital and operating costs. The demonstration test was conducted in INPEX's Koshijihara natural gas plant in Japan. INPEX continuously improves the natural gas production efficiency to reduce its environmental impact. As for the AGRU technology, DGA® (Di-Glycol-Amine, a Huntsman trademark) was initially selected during the design and initial operation. It was then swapped to OASE® purple (a solvent formerly traded under the name aMDEA® by BASF SE) and then changed again to HiPACT for the demonstration test. A commercial AGRU train was temporarily modified and the OASE® purple solvent was swapped with HiPACT. The treated gas from the AGRU was sent to the pipeline via dew point control system during the demonstration test. The HiPACT showed excellent performance in CO_2 absorption; 14% reduction of solvent circulation rate and reboiler duty compared with OASE purple were achieved, keeping the CO_2 specification at the absorber overhead unaffected. There were no operational problems, such as foaming or corrosion. Through numerous data acquisition, the process modeling and simulation tools were updated. A case study suggested that, when grassroots AGRU and CCS systems are established, HiPACT reduces CO_2 recovery cost (AGRU + CO_2 Compressor) by 25 to 35% over OASE purple. Even when an existing plant is used as a CO_2 source, swapping with HiPACT, with some minor revamps of the existing plant, is still an economical option for CCS implementation.