Fine Tuning of the Demercaptanization Process in an LPG Extractor

摘要

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) demercaptanization by caustic is a widely used process. The basic data for its optimization are not present in the literature, however, recently published performance data of an Iranian refinery filled this gap to some extent. It was helpful in developing semi empirical correlations in our previous work, for quickly predicting mercaptans in the product LPG, using process variables, with reasonable accuracy. The authors carried out simulations based on these correlations to optimize LPG extractor performance by fine tuning process parameters, such as solvent to feed mass flow rate ratio, caustic concentration, and temperature, thereby ensuring optimal loading in downstream oxidizer for better kinetics and thus minimizing the overall operating cost of the LPG treatment unit.