Abstract
This research aims to conduct an integrated energy and exergy evaluation of an acid gas recovery (AGR) plant. An effective simulation platform is developed and linked to a thermodynamic modeling approach. A newly developed amine blend, composed of methyl-di-ethanolamine (MDEA), di-ethanolamine (DEA), and piperazine (PZ), is utilized to absorb the acid gases. Based on the classical energy analysis, an energy loss of 70.79 MW and an energy efficiency of 90.29% are attained for each process component. Conventional exergy analysis is then conducted, and the sources of irreversibility are identified. The postprocessing is performed on the conventional exergy evaluation results using an advanced exergy method, to obtain a more realistic insight into the system’s energy/exergy performance. It is concluded that stripper and absorber account for the maximum exergy destructions of 8.15 and 7.55 MW, respectively; this shows significant potential for operation improvement in these two key equipment. Also, it is concluded that 5.47 and 4.92 MW unavoidable exergy destructions occur in the stripper and absorber, respectively, which cannot be prevented. It is found from the advanced exergy analysis that the absorber, stripper, and heat exchanger with the greatest recoverable exergy amount (e.g., exergy rehabilitation ratio) exhibit substantial operation enhancement capability in comparison to the other process equipment. The overall exergy efficiency of the entire system is enhanced from 99.70 to 99.90%, when the technological constraints are abolished and the ideal condition governs. The results of avoidable/endogenous exergy destruction reveal high potential of the absorber (2.58 MW), stripper (2.18 MW), heat exchanger (0.74 MW), and valve (0.19 MW) in terms of operation improvement compared to the other process components. Based on the environmental analysis, a large amount of CO2 emission (22.12 ton·day–1) can be prevented, when the process components are technologically upgraded.
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