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USER MANUAL
VERSION 2013.1
The licensed material (the licensed software and documentation) is licensed to you, the end-user, for your
own internal use. You do not obtain title, copyright or proprietary rights to the licensed material. You may
not transfer, sub-license, rent, lease, convey, copy, modify, translate, recompile or disassemble the licensed
software for any reason whatsoever without the express written permission of DBR Technology Center.
The licensed software is provided "as-is". All warranties and representations of any kind with regard to the
licensed material are hereby disclaimed, including the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for
a particular purpose. Under no circumstances will the manufacturer or developer of the licensed material be
liable for any consequential, incidental, special or exemplary damages even if apprised of the likelihood of
such damages occurring. Some states do not allow the limitation or exclusion of liability for incidental or
consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.
Copyright 2014 DBR Technology Center, Schlumberger Canada Limited. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be copied and/or distributed without the express
written consent of DBR Technology Center.
CONTENTS
CONTACTING US .................................................................................................................................. 1
HEAD OFFICE/ MARKETING AND SALES ............................................................................................................ 1
TECHNICAL SUPPORT ......................................................................................................................................... 1
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO AMSIM .......................................................................................... 2
NEW CAPABILITIES IN VERSION 2013.1 ............................................................................................................. 2
NEW CAPABILITIES IN VERSION 2012.1 ............................................................................................................. 3
CHAPTER 2: INSTALLATION AND SETUP ......................................................................................... 5
INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................................................ 5
INSTALLING AMSIM........................................................................................................................................... 5
SECURITY TYPES ................................................................................................................................................ 6
ACCESSING ONLINE HELP ................................................................................................................................ 14
CHAPTER 3: GETTING STARTED....................................................................................................... 15
STARTING AND EXITING AMSIM ..................................................................................................................... 15
BASIC STEPS TO GENERATE AMSIM PROJECTS.............................................................................................. 16
OPENING, CREATING, AND SAVING A PROJECT.............................................................................................. 16
PROJECT SETUP................................................................................................................................................ 17
AMSIM WORKING ENVIRONMENT .................................................................................................................. 23
IMPORTING FUNCTION FOR INPUT .................................................................................................................. 30
STREAMS AND EQUIPMENT RENAMING......................................................................................................... 32
WINDOWS CLIPBOARD OPERATIONS .............................................................................................................. 33
CHAPTER 4: STREAM INPUT ............................................................................................................ 34
SOUR GAS/NGL FEEDS ..................................................................................................................................... 34
PRIMARY LEAN SOLVENT FEED TO PRECONTACTOR ....................................................................................... 36
PRIMARY LEAN SOLVENT FEED TO ABSORBER A ............................................................................................ 37
SEMI-LEAN SOLVENT FEED TO ABSORBER A ................................................................................................... 37
SECONDARY LEAN SOLVENT FEED TO ABSORBER A ....................................................................................... 38
PRIMARY LEAN SOLVENT FEED TO ABSORBER B ............................................................................................ 39
SECONDARY LEAN SOLVENT FEED TO ABSORBER B ....................................................................................... 40
SEMI-LEAN SOLVENT FEED TO ABSORBER B ................................................................................................... 40
ABSORBER A TREATED GAS/NGL TO ABSORBER B ......................................................................................... 41
RICH AMINE FEED TO REGENERATOR .............................................................................................................. 42
SEMI-LEAN SOLVENT DRAW FROM REGENERATOR........................................................................................ 43
HOT STREAM TO REGENERATOR ..................................................................................................................... 43
SOLVENT AND WATER MAKEUP...................................................................................................................... 45
FEED TO FLASH TANK....................................................................................................................................... 45
CHAPTER 5: EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................................... 47
ABSORBER ........................................................................................................................................................ 47
REGENERATOR ................................................................................................................................................. 52
ABSORBER SOLVENT PUMP-AROUND ............................................................................................................. 53
PRECONTACTOR ............................................................................................................................................... 55
CONTACTING US
Telephone: 1-780-463-8638
Fax: 1-780-450-1668
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Should you find yourself with a technical problem that cannot be solved using the provided user manual or
on-line help, please contact our software technical support staff at:
Telephone: 1-780-463-8638
Fax: 1-780-450-1668
E-mail: dbrsoftware@slb.com
We suggest that the following information pertaining to the problem be gathered before contacting us. In
order to identify the problem as quickly as possible please have the following documentation at hand:
AMSIM is an easy to use, reliable, and accurate method for investigating alternative process
configurations or contacting solvents in gas and LPG sweetening units.
DBR Technology Center encourages you to provide us with your comments and suggestions for
additional features and improvements.
1. Blend solvent of MDEA, Piperazine and Sulfolane model for contaminant removal
In the past few years, it has become popular for the industry to use ternary blended solvents,
MDEA, Piperazine and Sulfolane to simultaneously remove hydrogen sulphide (H2S), carbon dioxide
(CO2), carbonyl sulphide (COS), mercaptans (RSH) and other trace contaminants from sour gas and
liquefied natural gas (LNG). Other than meeting the increasingly stringent environmental emission
regulations, the tertiary solvents have the following advantages over other blended solvents:
• All-in-one removal of H2S, CO2, COS and RSH;
• Higher removal rates for CO2, COS and RSH;
• Higher loading capacity;
• Lower energy cost in solvent recovery;
• Reduced solvent degradation.
In this version, the thermodynamic and kinetic models have been established to calculate the
solubility and mass transfer rate of H2S, CO2, COS and RSH in the hybrid MDEA + Piperazine +
Sulfolane solvents. The models have shown an excellent predictive capability.
3. Provided the flexibility for user to set different temperature inputs for primary lean
amine, secondary lean amine and semi-lean amine streams to absorbers
INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS
For optimum use of AMSIM, the following hardware and software are required:
INSTALLING AMSIM
FOR NON-SCHLUMBERGER USERS
1. Insert AMSIM Installation CD into a CD-ROM drive.
2. Find setup file with .msi in the CD drive and double click it to start the installation
3. Change the default AMSIM directory if desired.
4. Follow the installation instructions on the screen.
FOR SCHLUMBERGER USERS
1. Download the setup file (AMSIM Version 2013.1.msi) using InTouch
2. Double click the setup file to start the installation
3. Change the default AMSIM directory if desired.
4. Follow the installation instructions on the screen.
After the installation process is complete, the AMSIM program group will be created. The default
installation directory is: C:\Program Files\DBR\AMSIM 2013.1
Note: If there is already a version (including demos) of AMSIM on your system, please uninstall the
existing version first. For further information on uninstalling, refer to your Microsoft Windows Help system.
Please ensure the regional language settings are English (US or Canada) otherwise some features will not
be accessible.
SECURITY TYPES
There are four security types for DBR software:
1. Local License File
2. License Manager
3. USB Key
4. Schlumberger LDAP
Any one of the first three security types can be chosen for external (non-Schlumberger) users, internal
(Schlumberger) users and computers with Windows based operating system. Schlumberger LDAP security
type is recommended only for internal (Schlumberger) users and computers connected to Schlumberger
intranet.
Users should select the right security type in the program according to the license type issued by DBR. There
are two ways to change the program security type setting.
Method 1:
1. Start the program. If the program cannot find a valid security, then the program will ask you to
change the security method. Click the “Change Security Method” button to bring up “Select
Security Type” Window.
Method 2:
1. Launch the software program
2. Click Help from the main menu
3. Select About DBR Software
4. Click the button Change Security Type
5. Select Local License File – StandAlone in the Select Security Type window.
6. In the Local License File field, click Browse to locate the path or directory, where the license file is
placed.
7. Click OK to activate the license. The license will be effective after closing the current AMSIM
program and by reopening a new program.
Tip: If the field below the “Browse” button is empty, the license has not been activated. If the field gives a
description of the software program and expiration date, the license was successfully activated.
Select
LICENSE MANAGER
License Manager (LM) Security type can be used for both single and network licenses. However, it is
primarily used for managing network licenses. This security type is managed by License Manager Monitor
program.
Select
USB KEY
Both single user and network licenses can use the USB Key security type. For every purchase, a security key
is provided together with the Sentinel System Driver program. The security key must remain connected to a
USB port of the single user computer or of the server (for network version) while DBR software is operating.
For single user license, please note that the sentinel system driver should be installed on the user’s
computer. For network license users, please note that the sentinel system driver should be installed on
server computer and all remote terminals.
The installation procedure for Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/Vista/ Windows 7 is described below.
For single user license, the user should select USB Key – StandAlone/Network from the Select Security Type
window. The License Server field is left blank. For Network license, the user should select USB Key –
StandAlone/Network from the Select Security Type window and provide the server computer name or IP
address where the USB Key is plugged.
Select
SCHLUMBERGER LDAP
This security type is applicable only for Schlumberger employees. First, the user should purchase the license
from SWPS (http://www.swps.slb.com) and provide the end-user’s LDAP information along with the
purchase order (PO). Once the license is approved by their Direct Manager, DBR would receive the request
and the license will be activated. In this case, the user should select Schlumberger LDAP - Network from the
Select Security Type window after launching the DBR software program.
Select
2. In the welcome window, click to open a new project, the last project, or an existing project.
3. Then click OK.
Note: The security key must be attached to the USB port of the user’s computer (for PC standalone
version) or the server (for network version) when running the program.
Select the corresponding items (“Open”,” New” to create, “Save”) from the File menu on the
AMSIM menu bar.
AMSIM project files are automatically assigned the ‘.apj’ (AMSIM project) file extension
PROJECT SETUP
When a new file is created, the Project Setup dialog appears. Users may enter a project description and
select solvent types, flowsheet, components, and units from this dialog. You may also activate the Project
Setup dialog any time you are running AMSIM.
Double-click anywhere on the Setup Info/Options yellow area on the right bottom of the screen.
There are three tabs in the Project Setup dialog: General Information, Component Selection and
Options.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The General information tab has two sections: the Solvent and Model selection and Flowsheet and Feed Selection
MODEL SELECTION
Users can select:
SOLVENT SELECTION
Users can select:
FLOWSHEET SELECTION
In AMSIM, there are six pre-defined flowsheets for amine systems and four for DEPG system.
After setting up a project, users may specify different options for each flowsheet in “Edit Flowsheet”
mode.
FEED SELECTION
AMSIM can model both vapor and liquid input streams to the absorber. In the Feed Selection section, users
may select:
• Sour Gas
• Liquid Hydrocarbon
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Users may enter the title or name of the project.
COMPONENT SELECTION
Select components for your project in the Component Selection tab. The AMSIM library contains the
properties of components typically encountered in the gas treating industry. Excluding solvents, there are 39
components available in the AMSIM component library. The complete list of these components is available
in Appendix A. Please note that the components selectable for the chemical solvent and physical solvent
processes are different.
The default components used for new projects are H2S, CO2, water, and the solvent selected in the General
Information tab. Use the four buttons between the Source Components box and the Selected
Components box to assign components to your project.
Click on the target component in the Available Components box and click on the > button.
Click on the target component in the Available Components box and click on the < button.
Note: Water, one solvent, and one acid gas must be selected in order to execute an AMSIM
simulation. NH3, SO2 and C6H6 are available for physical solvent simulations only.
PROJECT OPTIONS
AMSIM uses a number of tolerances for convergence criteria. These values are typical for chemical
engineering simulations and generally do not require adjustments. However, for those users who wish to
evaluate different values, this can be accomplished in project options.
Click Options tab from the Project Setup window. The project options dialog appears.
Project Options
CALCULATION OPTIONS
In this dialog, the program may help users calculate the following:
When these items are selected or checked (default), AMSIM calculates the stage efficiencies of H2S and
CO2 for the column. Otherwise, AMSIM will use the user-specified stage efficiencies to perform simulations.
When the calculation error is larger than the convergence tolerance when this iteration limit is reached, the
simulation will report a failure. The iteration limit can be specified for the Absorber, Regenerator and
Flowsheet.
CONVERGENCE TOLERANCE
These parameters are used in conjunction with the maximum iteration limit. The tolerances can be specified
for the Absorber, Regenerator, Flowsheet, and (Tray) Efficiency.
UNIT SELECTION
Users can enter data and display calculation results in either System International (SI) or Engineering Units
by selecting the desired type of units in the Unit Selection section. This selection can be changed at any
time and AMSIM will automatically convert all data to the new set of units.
Set up
Information
Area
Tip: You can adjust the size of each area by pointing the mouse pointer at the pane separator and when the
pointer changes to a split bar, drag the mouse to the desired location.
DISPLAY MODES
AMSIM utilizes four different display modes for program execution. The current display mode can be seen
on the button bar to the left of the flowsheet. AMSIM also utilizes different color schemes to designate
these different display modes. Shown in the following is the legend for these display modes.
This legend appears every time you start AMSIM. Once you are familiar with the color schemes for each
display mode, you can check off the Do not show this dialog when AMSIM Starts up box in the Legend
dialog.
For the above flowsheet, for example, the Precontactor, the Pumparound, the Secondary Lean Amine
Stream, the Semi-Lean Amine Stream, and the Flash Tank can be deleted or added on to the flowsheet.
TO REMOVE AN ITEM
1. Simply click on any item outlined with a red box. A confirmation dialog appears.
2. Click on OK to remove the component or Cancel to cancel the action.
TO ADD AN ITEM
1. The red box remains visible even though the item has been removed from the flowsheet. Click on
the box. A confirmation dialog appears.
2. Click OK to restore the original component to the flowsheet.
Note: If the simulation is unsuccessful (did not converge), AMSIM will not allow viewing in
'DisplayOutput' mode.
UNITS
AMSIM allows users to enter data in either Engineering or SI units. Users can switch between the two sets
of units as desired. All appropriate data entry dialogs have selection buttons at the bottom to allow users to
switch between the system of units. AMSIM automatically converts all previously entered values to the
corresponding value in the new system of units.
The following figure shows the input dialog for Precontactor. The unit selection buttons are at the bottom of
the dialog.
When users click on the SI Units button, unit conversion results are displayed instantly.
The following table lists the units used in the Engineering and SI units for each property.
1. Switch to “Enter Data” Mode and click on the Import button from the input dialog
2. Use the Browse button to select the AMSIM project from which the inputs are imported. A list of
streams or equipment appears.
3. Select a stream or a piece of equipment from the list.
4. Click Import Data Now.
1. Click on a process stream on the flowsheet in “Enter Data” Mode. This activates an input dialog.
2. Enter the required data in the dialog.
3. Click OK to exit the input dialog.
The multistage-unit solution procedure used in AMSIM requires that all feeds to a contactor (precontactor,
absorber, or regenerator) be completely specified. AMSIM has default values for all required data, but users
may change these values to those that are representative of their own case.
For cases where individual unit modules are studied as stand-alone equipment, all feed stream
specifications represent true specifications. However, in cases where the flowsheet involves material
transfer between two contacting devices, some of the feed specifications represent only initial estimates.
For example, in a single absorber or single regenerator, feeds to these units are specified and remain
unchanged throughout the process simulation. For cases where an absorber is coupled to a regenerator, the
lean amine composition is a calculated result. Similarly, the rich amine composition is a calculated result.
Only initial estimates of these compositions are required to start the flowsheet calculation.
Activate the Sour Gas/NGL Feed input dialog by clicking on the feed stream to Precontactor or Absorber A.
When Absorber B is chosen for the flowsheet and the External Sour Gas/NGL feed is selected, users must
specify the information for the Secondary Sour Gas/Liquid Feed (Absorber B).
The following information is the required input data for the sour gas/NGL feed.
PRESSURE
Enter the pressure of the sour gas/liquid feed stream.
TEMPERATURE
Enter the temperature of the sour gas/liquid feed stream.
1. Click on the stream going into the top of the precontactor while in 'Enter Data' mode. The Lean Solvent
Feed To Precontactor dialog appears.
2. Enter the temperature, flow rate, and compositions of the stream as required. AMSIM will automatically
initialize the pressure of this stream to the precontactor pressure.
There are two methods to specify the stream flow rate and compositions:
Component Molar Flow Rates
Volumetric Flow Rate and Weight % Solvent
If Component Molar Flow Rate is selected, users must enter the molar flow rate for each component in that
stream. If Volumetric Flow Rate and Weight % Solvent is selected, users must specify the volumetric flow
rate of the amine stream, the weight percent of solvent in the stream, and residual acid gas loadings of H2S
and CO2. Specify acid gas loadings by choosing a loading type (in Moles or in Grains).
1. Click on the very top stream hotspot on the Absorber A while in “Enter Data” mode. The Primary Lean
Amine Feed To Absorber A dialog appears.
2. Select an input type and enter flow rate in the Flow Rate box.
3. Use default temperature or enter temperature in the Temperature box.
The input dialog for Semi-Lean Solvent Feed to Absorber A is essentially the same as the Primary Lean
Solvent Feed to Precontactor dialog except for the feed stage (for plate column) or section (for packing
column) location specification.
Note: The pressure of this stream will be initialized to the pressure of the feed stage/section.
The input data required for this stream are summarized as followed.
FEED STAGE/SECTION
This is the stage (for plate column) or section (for packing column) where the secondary lean solvent is fed
to the absorber. The feed stage/section location for the secondary lean amine must be above the location of
Semi-Lean Solvent Feed to Absorber A.
Note: If the user enters a Secondary Lean Solvent location below that of the Semi-Lean stream,
AMSIM will automatically adjust the location of the Secondary Lean Solvent so that it is fed to the
absorber above the Semi-Lean Solvent stream.
TEMPERATURE
The temperature of the secondary lean solvent stream is set with a default value. Users can also set a
different temperature in the Temperature box after checking off the box before “Use Identical
Temperature”.
The required input is the molar or volumetric flow rate of the stream. Users can also set a temperature for
this stream.
1. Click on the stream hotspot while in “Enter Data” mode. The Lean Amine Feed to Absorber B dialog
appears.
2. Select the flow rate type and enter the flow rate for the stream.
3. If users want to set a temperature different from the default value, first check off the box before
“Use Identical Temperature” and then enter the temperature in the Temperature box.
When a Semi-Lean Solvent to Absorber A is selected, the solvent composition information is specified in the
Semi-Lean Solvent Feed to Absorber A dialog. Therefore, only the feed stage/section location and flow rate
of the solvent stream for Absorber B are required. The input dialog will be identical to the Secondary Lean
Solvent Feed to Absorber A dialog.
When a Semi-Lean Solvent to Absorber A is not selected, specification will be required for all stream
variables. The input dialog will be identical to the Semi-Lean Solvent Feed to Absorber A dialog.
Gas/NGL to Absorber B
When Absorber A and Absorber B are cascaded (in series), users must specify the mole fraction of the
treated gas or NGL from Absorber A to Absorber B. This value must be between 0 and 1.
Note: An input value of 0 means that the absorbers are running in parallel.
If flowsheet other than Flowsheet 3 & 6 (Single Regenerator) was selected, the following input dialog
appears. Only the feed stage/section location and pressure are required.
If Flowsheet 3 (Single Regenerator) was selected, a different input dialog will be used for the Rich Solvent
Feed to Regenerator stream. This dialog is very similar to the Primary Lean Solvent Feed to Precontactor
dialog, except for the feed stage/section location and pressure specifications.
2. Specify the stage/section location (in the regenerator) from which the semi-lean solvent is drawn.
3. Enter the draw rate of the solvent, whenever is required.
Note:
i. You need to include the components of your desired hot stream in the Component Selection
tab of the Project Setup dialog.
ii. You may use a previously defined hot stream from another AMSIM project by clicking on the
Import…button.
Solvent and
Water Make-up
The only required operating condition for this stream is the makeup temperature.
Feed to Flash
Tank
1. Click on the hotspot of the feed entering the flash tank while in ‘Enter Data’ mode. The Flash Tank
Feed Stream dialog appears.
2. Check on the Input Temperature box. The temperature edit box appears.
3. Enter the desired temperature.
4. Check on the Input Pressure box. The pressure edit box appears.
5. Enter the desired pressure.
6. Click OK to exit the dialog.
1. Click on an equipment hotspot on the flowsheet in 'Enter Data' mode. This activates an input
dialog.
2. Enter the required data in the dialog.
3. Click OK to exit the input dialog.
ABSORBER
The data input dialogs for Absorber A and Absorber B are identical. An example of the input dialog is shown
below.
1. Click on the absorber hotspot while in ‘Enter Data’ mode. The Absorber data input dialog appears.
There are three tabs in the dialog.
For tray column, enter the number of actual stages, select tray type, enter tray spacing as well as the
percentage of flooding velocity and select the flow pattern. If sieve tray is selected, provide the hole
diameter and the fractional hole area.
Multipass Trays
For packing column, you need to enter the bed number (up to 10), the section number for each bed (up to12),
check on/off the option for the calculation of bed diameters. If diameter is to be calculated, you need to
specify the percentage of flooding velocity.
1) Click on the Sections tab to specify section height, section diameter (estimation only if the diameter
calculation option is checked on), and space above and below each section. You can leave the inputs
for space as default values (zeros), because they only decide your column height and will not affect the
simulation results.
2) Click on the Packing Info tab to specify the packing type, packing material and packing size for each
packing section.
3) Click on the Pressure Drop tab to specify the pressure drop for the space above and below each
section. You can only type in the data for section 1.
4) Click on the Use First Row Data for All button to apply the first section data to all the other
sections.
3. In the Operation Data tab, enter the top and bottom tray pressure, as well as the number of side
heat exchangers (up to five for an absorber) and their specifications.
4. Provide the overall heat transfer coefficient for all relevant heat exchangers in the Related Heat
Exchangers tab.
Note:
i. Users may specify up to 60 stages for plate columns. Stages are numbered from the top
down. Stage 1 is the top stage of the absorber.
ii. The bottom tray pressure must be larger than the top tray pressure. If the value specified
does not satisfy this condition, AMSIM will prompt for data correction.
iii. See Side Heat Exchangers for detailed information on side heat exchangers.
iv. The entire absorber input can be imported from an absorber in another AMSIM project.
See Input Importing Function.
REGENERATOR
1. Click on the regenerator hotspot while in ‘Enter Data’ mode. The Regenerator input dialog
appears.
2. All the inputs required for regenerator are the same as those of absorber except for those in the
Operation Data tab.
3. In Operation Data, select a heat supply option for regeneration: Reboiler or Hot Stream. If
Reboiler is selected as the heat supply, enter the reboiler pressure, and heat duty (should always
be >0) when reflux ratio is to be calculated, or enter reflux ratio when heat duty is to be calculated.
Reboiler pressure is also the bottom tray pressure of the regenerator. If Hot Stream is selected,
provide all required inputs in the Hot Stream dialog after you exit the Regenerator dialog.
Note:
i. A value between 3 and 60 should be entered for Number of Actual Stages for plate column.
Stages are numbered from the top down. Stage 1 is the overhead reflux accumulator. Stage
2 is the top tray in the regenerator. The bottom stage is the reboiler if it is selected as the
heat supply.
ii. The entire regenerator input can be imported from a regenerator in another AMSIM project.
See Importing Function.
The data input dialogs for Absorber A and Absorber B are identical. The information required for the solvent
pump specifications are as follows:
Note: The Feed Stage/Section Location must be above the Draw Stage/Section Location (or larger
stage/section number for the draw stage/section location).
Provide the volumetric flow rate and weight percent of the solvent as well as the residual acid gas
loadings. Residual Acid Gas Loading is the acid gas composition in the stream. Click to select an acid
gas loading type: Mole or Grain. Enter H2S and CO2 loadings.
PRECONTACTOR
TO ENTER PRECONTACTOR OPERATING CONDITIONS
1. Click on the precontactor while in ‘Enter Data’ mode. The Precontactor input dialog appears.
2. Enter the operating pressure and overall heat transfer coefficient for the precontactor.
FLASH TANK
There are new process configuration options available for flash tanks from Version 2011.1. They are:
i. Select up to four flash tanks downstream of the absorber (for Flowsheet 2). Also, flashed gas/NGL
and/or liquid can be recycled to absorber. In the previous version, these two options were available
to flowsheets 2 and 4 of physical solvent processes only.
ii. Add a flash tank onto the feed entering the regenerator in Flowsheets 4 and 6.
If a flowsheet other than Flowsheet 1 is selected in Project Setup, the flash tank dialog is shown as
followed:
Enter the flash tank pressure only. If more than one flash tank is selected, the pressures of the flash tanks
must be in descending order. For example, 100 psia for the first flash tank, 90 psia for the second, 80 psia
for the third, and 70 psia for the fourth.
Note: Please note that Flowsheet 1 is used for flash calculations. See Chapter 6 on the flash calculation
feature.
HEAT EXCHANGERS
Users are now allowed to specify their own overall heat-transfer coefficients for all of the heat exchangers.
Shown in Appendix A is the complete list of heat exchangers used in AMSIM.
They are categorized into Real Heat Exchangers and Side (or Conceptual) Heat Exchangers.
Overhead Condenser
Reboiler
Absorber A/B Primary Lean Solvent Cooler
Absorber A/B Secondary Lean Solvent Cooler
Absorber A/B Semi-Lean Solvent Cooler
Absorber A/B Pumparound Cooler
Lean/Rich Solvent Heat Exchanger
Semi-Lean/Rich Solvent Heat Exchanger
Overhead Condenser and Reboiler are specified in the Regenerator dialogs. All absorber A/B Coolers are
specified in the Absorber input dialogs, under the Related Heat Exchangers tab.
The solvent heat exchangers have their own input dialogs that are activated via hotspots.
1. Click on the heat exchanger hotspot while in ‘Enter Data’ mode. The Lean/Rich Solvent Heat
Exchanger input dialog appears.
2. Enter the minimum temperature approach for the Lean/Rich Solvent Heat Exchanger. The
minimum temperature approach is the temperature difference between hot and cold streams.
3. Enter the overall heat transfer coefficient for the heat exchanger.
1. Click on the heat exchanger hotspot while in ‘Enter Data’ mode. The Semi-Lean/Rich Solvent
Heat Exchanger input dialog appears.
2. Enter the minimum temperature approach for the Semi-Lean/Rich Solvent Heat Exchanger. The
minimum temperature approach is the temperature difference between hot and cold streams.
3. Enter the overall heat transfer coefficient for the heat exchanger.
Side heat exchangers are not true heat exchangers. They represent units that effect direct addition or
removal of energy from a single stage/section in a contacting device. Conceptually they may be visualized as
heating or cooling coils immersed in the liquid on the stage/section. Side heat exchangers are specified in
the absorber and regenerator input dialog. AMSIM has the capability of handling up to five side heat
exchangers in each absorber and three side heat exchangers in the regenerator. They may be entered in any
order.
Tip: Side heat exchangers may be installed on any stage/section in an absorber. In regenerators, they
may be installed on any stage/section except for stage1 (condenser) and the bottom stage (reboiler) for
both plate and packing column. The stage/section location must be smaller than the number of actual
stages or sections. Their heat duty may be positive (for a hotter stage/section) or negative (for a cooler
stage/section).
For a packing regenerator, the condenser is always the first stage and the reboiler is always the last
stage if it is selected as the heat supply. The packing sections are between them.
FLASH CALCULATIONS
Since the flash calculation function is located in Flowsheet 1 (Single Flash Tank), select Flowsheet 1 in
Project Setup if flash calculations are desired.
Click on the flash tank hotspot in Flowsheet 1 in “Enter Data” mode. Flash tank input dialogs for amine
processes and physical solvent processes are slightly different.
AMINE PROCESS
If amine was selected in Project Setup, three-phase flash calculations may be performed by selecting
Flowsheet 1 : Flash tank
Select the phase equilibrium: VLE, LLE, or VLLE. Select P-T, P-H or P-L flash. Enter pressure, temperature,
liquid fraction, or aqueous phase fraction as required.
Select the flash mode: P-T, P-H, or P-L. Enter pressure, temperature, and liquid fraction as prompted.
Tip: You may perform bubble point calculations using the P-L mode of VLE flash by assigning the liquid
fraction to be 1.0.
4. Enter data for the two feeds in 'Enter Data' mode. Specify the Sour Gas and NGL feed to Absorber A
and Absorber B respectively. Their required inputs are similar to those of single feed processes.
RUNNING A PROJECT
Once the stream and operational data have been entered for an AMSIM project, it is ready to execute
AMSIM simulations.
Normally, it will take anywhere from seconds to minutes to run a case, depending on the flowsheet
configuration, the number of components, the number of the column stages/sections, etc. A typical case will
converge in less than a minute. When a case has converged, AMSIM will automatically switch to ‘Display
Output’ mode to allow viewing or printing of the results. If the case did not converge, AMSIM will display an
error message and suggest possible actions to obtain a converged result.
INITIAL CALCULATIONS
After the stream and equipment inputs have been entered for a case, AMSIM will have enough data to Run
the case. However, there may be cases where the user may want to overwrite AMSIM’s initialized values
that are generated by the Initial Calculations function.
Note:
i. This initial calculation function is only available for plate columns.
ii. For stage efficiencies, you need to first turn off the AMSIM stage efficiency calculation option
before you proceed to replace the generated efficiency with your own values. For details, refer
to Project Options.
iii. Access to tray spacing input is removed from the initialized result dialogs to column input
dialogs in’ Enter Data’ mode. The default tray spacing for gas treating is changed from 18
inches to 24 inches.
TO INITIALIZE VALUES
1. Click on the INIT button on the AMSIM toolbar or select Initial Calculation from the Run menu.
AMSIM will perform initial calculations and generate the initial values. Refer to Appendix F: Technical
Background on how AMSIM performs initial calculations. The flowsheet will automatically be switched to
the 'Modify Init. Values' mode upon the completion of initial calculations.
Note: To set your own stage efficiencies, you need to first turn off the AMSIM stage efficiency
calculation option in Project Options before you proceed to override the generated efficiency with your own
values. For details, refer to Project Options.
1. Click on the column of interest on the flowsheet while in 'Modify Init. Values' mode. A dialog like
the one below appears:
Tip: You can enter data in the field provided at the bottom of the dialog, and then press the Change All
Data To button to apply all the entered data to all the stages.
Note:
Click Run to execute calculations using the values you just entered.
Do not press Initial Calculation before clicking Run as AMSIM will ignore the initial values you just
entered and use the program generated initial values to perform calculations. Also, if you want to further
simulate your case with new input data using the same set of initial values you just entered, first make the
input changes in 'Enter Data' mode, then proceed to 'Modify Init. Values' mode to execute Run. Do not
execute Run while in 'Enter Data' mode as this will cause AMSIM to use the program-generated initial
values to perform the simulation.
Click on the stream or equipment hotspot in the flowsheet to activate the output dialog.
PROCESS STREAMS
For each stream in the flowsheet, simulation results include the composition of the stream and the
properties of that stream. The format of the output is slightly different depending on the type of stream
being displayed. Examples of the output dialogs for a Gas/Liquid stream and a solvent stream are shown in
the following.
Note: Click on the Print button in any output dialogs to send output results to the printer or the To EXCEL
button to export results to EXCEL. See Exporting Results to EXCEL at the end of this chapter for details.
COLUMNS
Column simulation results for Absorber A, Absorber B and the Regenerator can be viewed by simply clicking
on the corresponding column in the flowsheet. The formats of output dialogs for all the same type of
columns are similar but slightly different between plate columns and packing columns. The only differences
for all the plate columns are in the 'General Information' section, which is used only for the absorbers, and
the 'Heat Exchangers' section, which varies slightly in format depending on the plate column being
displayed. The column simulation results are divided into five or six sections by labeled
tabs:
Phase Properties (different temperature profiles between Vapor/Liquid HC and solvent solution
for packing columns)
Stage Efficiencies (for plate column only)
Composition Profiles
Preliminary Sizing
Heat Exchangers
Approach to Equilibrium (for absorbers only)
General Information
PHASE PROPERTIES
The Phase Properties tab displays the pressure, temperature, as well as vapor and liquid properties (e.g.
mass/volumetric/molar flow rates, molecular weight, and density) for each stage.
STAGE EFFICIENCIES
The Stage Efficiencies tab displays the H2S and CO2 efficiencies for each stage.
COMPOSITION PROFILES
This tab displays the liquid and vapor mole fraction for every component at each stage of the column.
Select a component and the dialog will display the corresponding results.
PRELIMINARY SIZING
The Preliminary Sizing tab displays the pressure, temperature, liquid and vapor flow rate, and tray diameter
for each stage/section.
HEAT EXCHANGERS
For absorbers, this tab displays the results of the primary and secondary lean amine cooler, semi-lean amine
cooler, amine pump around, and side heat exchangers. For regenerators, the results include those of the
overhead condenser, reboiler, and any side heat exchangers.
APPROACH TO EQUILIBRIUM
For absorbers, the calculations of Approach to Equilibrium are reported in two ways:
A. Percentage of the actual rich amine loading in relation to the theoretical maximum rich amine
loading at the absorber bottom conditions.
Note: Theoretical maximum rich amine loading is defined as the amine in equilibrium with the feed gas.
Usually an approach of 75-85% will be obtained.
B. Percentage of the partial pressure of acid gas in the rich amine in relation to the partial
pressure of acid gas in the feed gas.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The General Information tab is displayed only for the absorbers. Information in this section is comprised of
the summary information for an absorber.
PRECONTACTOR
COMPOSITION PROFILES
The Composition Profiles tab displays the vapor and liquid mole fraction for each component.
HEAT EXCHANGER
This tab displays results of the precontactor heat exchanger (Precontactor Lean Solvent Cooler).
The calculation results for most heat exchangers are displayed along with the devices to which they are
attached. Only the Lean/Rich Solvent Heat Exchangers and Semi-Lean/Rich Solvent Heat Exchangers are
displayed separately.
1. Click on their hotspots while in ‘Display Output’ mode. The following figures are examples of
the output dialogs for the Lean/Rich Heat Exchanger and the Semi-Lean/Rich Heat Exchanger.
1. Click on the equipment to which the heat exchangers attach while in ‘Display Output’ mode.
Click on the Heat Exchangers tab located on the top of the dialog.
2. To view results for each heat exchanger, click on the appropriate tab on the bottom of the
dialog.
PLOTTING GRAPHS
You can create temperature, pressure, and efficiency profiles for a column. Graphs are plotted via the “Plot”
button located in the output dialogs for absorbers and regenerators.
TO PLOT A GRAPH
1. Activate the desired column that you wish to plot graphs on.
2. In the column output dialog, select the appropriate tab and click Plot.
You may obtain a hard copy of the graph by clicking the Print button.
PRINTING REPORTS
After a case has converged, the results of the project can be printed.
If the printing function is activated via hotpots, users should click Print in the output dialog to activate the
Print Preview dialog. If the printing function is activated from the toolbar or the File menu, a Report
Selection dialog appears to allow selection of the desired report type.
Summary Report
Full Report
Stream Report
Device Report
Summary Report: This report includes information such as file name, project name, flowsheet type,
Solvent type and circulation rates, sour gas and sweet gas flowrates, CO2 slippage, acid gas loadings in
sweet gas/NGL and solvent streams.
Full Report: This report includes complete information for all streams and pieces of equipment in a project.
Stream Report: This report includes composition and properties for the chosen stream. If Stream Report is
selected, choose a stream to print.
Device Report: This report includes information pertaining to the chosen piece of equipment. If Device
Report is selected, choose a piece of equipment to print.
Select the desired set of units by clicking on the appropriate button. Users may print simulation results in
either Engineering or SI Units, regardless of which units were entered as input. Once you have selected a
report type and a unit system, click OK. The Print Preview dialog appears.
2. In the Save As dialog, enter the file name and click Save.
3. This is a useful function for users who wish to edit the output or format the report to their
own specifications.
1. In the Print Preview dialog, select area to copy by highlighting the area.
3. Proceed to the application you want to paste the output. Execute the paste function from
within the application.
1. Click on the hotspot of a stream or a piece of equipment while in ‘Display Output’ mode. The result
dialog appears.
2. Click on the To EXCEL button. AMSIM will activate EXCEL and export the results to EXCEL.
1. Click on the hotspot of a stream or a piece of equipment while in ‘Display Output’ mode. The
result dialog appears.
3. Right-click anywhere on the display worksheet and select Send to MS Excel from the popup
menu.
38. C11
39. C12
40. 22MButane
41. 2MPentane
42. 24MPentane
43. 1,2 Butadiene
44. 1,3 Butadiene
45. Cyclopentane
46. Cyclohexane
47. 3-Methylpentane
48. Methylcyclohexane
49. 2,2,4-Trimethylpentane
50. P-Xylene
51. O-Xylene
52. Argon
SOLVENTS
SINGLE AMINE SOLVENTS
MEA (Monoethanolamine)
DEA (Diethanolamine)
TEA (Triethanolamine)
MDEA (Methyldiethanolamine)
DGA (Diglycolamine)
DIPA (Diisopropanolamine)
PHYSICAL SOLVENTS
DEPG (Dimethyl Ethers of Polyethylene Glycol or Coastal AGR)
Methanol (MeOH)
TERNARY SOLVENT
MDEA + Piperazine + Sulfolane
HEAT EXCHANGERS
Listed in the following table are the heat exchangers in AMSIM.
1 Overhead Condenser 4
2 Reboiler 150
3 Lean/Rich Heat Exchanger 125
4 Semi-Lean/Rich Heat Exchanger 125
5 Absorber A Primary Lean Solvent Cooler 5
6 Absorber A Secondary Lean Solvent Cooler 5
7 Precontactor Lean Solvent Cooler 5
8 Absorber B Primary Lean Solvent Cooler 5
9 Absorber B Secondary Lean Solvent Cooler 5
10 Absorber A Semi-Lean Solvent Cooler 5
11 Absorber B Semi-Lean Solvent Cooler 5
12 Absorber A Pump Around Cooler 5
13 Absorber B Pump Around Cooler 5
14-18 Absorber A Side Heat Exchangers 1-5 5
19-23 Absorber B Side Heat Exchangers 1-5 5
24-26 Regenerator Side Heat Exchangers 1-3 5
The first thirteen are real heat exchangers. Heat exchangers 14 to 26 are side heat exchangers. Also listed
in the table is the default overall heat transfer coefficient for each of the heat exchangers. If desired, users
may overwrite the default values.
Amine circulation rate is a variable that often plays a major role in determining whether or not an absorber
case will converge i.e. the higher the circulation rate, the greater the probability of converging an absorber
case. If an absorber case does not converge, try doubling the amine circulation rate to get the problem to
converge. Then gradually decrease the circulation rate.
Reboiler heat duty is the key variable in regenerator problems. Estimate the volumetric flow rate of lean
amine leaving the reboiler in US gal/min. Using a latent heat of condensation of 923 BTU for every lb of
saturated steam, calculate the heat duty in lb steam/gal amine. Remember that the reboiler heat duty is in
MMBTU/h. The parameter should be between 1.0 and 2.0 lb/gal. Any reboiler heat duty that is outside this
region could be the source of error. Try running the program using a heat duty equivalent to 1.5 lb/gal. Once
the program has converged, gradually decrease the heat duty to the target value. General rule of thumb, 6-
10 MMBTU/h of heat duty is required to regenerate 100 gpm of rich amine.
STAGE EFFICIENCIES
If you are specifying your own CO2 and/or H2S efficiencies, remember to turn off the efficiency calculation
option (See Chapter 6). Otherwise, AMSIM will use the efficiencies calculated by the program to generate
simulation results.
EXAMPLE CASE 1
General
File Name : GasTreating1.apj
Project Name : AMSIM Project
Flowsheet : Flowsheet 2 [Single Absorber]
Solvent Type : Amine
Solvent : MDEA [48.00 % by weight]
EXAMPLE CASE 2
General
H2S: 37.319
CO2: 70.648
MEA: 252.496
H2O: 4820.879
Methane: 0.0
Ethane: 0.0
Propane: 0.0
Nitrogen: 0.0
EXAMPLE CASE 3
Input Data - Case 3
General
CO2: 661.7
DEA: 0.0
H2O: 8.1
Methane: 2797.9
Ethane: 218.7
Propane: 57.3
i-Butane: 14.2
n-Butane: 11.9
n-Pentane: 9.6
n-Heptane: 6.9
Nitrogen: 64.2
Lean Amine Feed to Absorber A
CO2: 31.413
DEA: 1308.873
H2O: 14184.174
Methane: 0.0
Ethane: 0.0
Propane: 0.0
i-Butane: 0.0
n-Butane: 0.0
n-Pentane: 0.0
n-Heptane: 0.0
Nitrogen: 0.0
Regenerator
Flash Tank 1
EXAMPLE CASE 4
General
H2S: 1409.9
CO2: 394.9
DEA: 0.0
H2O: 0.0
Methane: 7138.6
Ethane: 1354.9
Propane: 677.9
i-Butane: 88.5
n-Butane: 166.0
n-Pentane: 56.3
n-Hexane: 15.0
n-Heptane: 19.1
Nitrogen: 131.1
H2S: 30.194
CO2: 2.516
DEA: 2516.187
H2O: 29810.219
Methane: 0.0
Ethane: 0.0
Propane: 0.0
i-Butane: 0.0
n-Butane: 0.0
n-Pentane: 0.0
n-Hexane: 0.0
n-Heptane: 0.0
Nitrogen: 0.0
H2S: 1328.9
CO2: 90.6
DEA: 0.0
H2O: 0.0
Methane: 762.3
Ethane: 571.7
Propane: 564.3
i-Butane: 107.3
n-Butane: 235.6
n-Pentane: 71.4
n-Hexane: 2.8
n-Heptane: 5.2
Nitrogen: 2.3
H2S: 30.402
CO2: 4.885
DEA: 914.541
H2O: 13263.598
Methane: 0.0
Ethane: 0.0
Propane: 0.0
i-Butane: 0.0
n-Butane: 0.0
n-Pentane: 0.0
n-Hexane: 0.0
n-Heptane: 0.0
Nitrogen: 0.0
Absorber B
Regenerator
Flash Tank 1
Absorber A Summary
Absorber B Summary
EXAMPLE CASE 5
General
H2S: 165.0
CO2: 50.0
DEA: 0.0
MDEA: 0.0
H2O: 1.0
Methane: 1540.0
Ethane: 320.0
Propane: 25.0
H2S: 0.13
CO2: 0.13
DEA: 26.719
MDEA: 103.703
H2O: 2046.02
Methane: 0.0
Ethane: 0.0
Propane: 0.0
Feed Stage: 5
Feed Flow Rate: 2202.0 [lbmol/h]
H2S: 1.299
CO2: 1.082
DEA: 44.324
MDEA: 172.163
H2O: 4238.864
Methane: 0.0
Ethane: 0.0
Propane: 0.0
Regenerator
Flash Tank 1
Absorber A Summary
EXAMPLE CASE 6
General
H2S: 0.0295
MDEA: 0.0
H2O: 0.0
Ethane: 0.0346
Propane: 0.6095
i-Butane: 1.2908
n-Butane: 1.5192
Ethylene: 0.0010
Propylene: 1.4633
H2S: 0.2050
MDEA: 20.5420
H2O: 543.4600
Ethane: 0.0
Propane: 0.0
i-Butane: 0.0
n-Butane: 0.0
Ethylene: 0.0
Propylene: 0.0
Absorber A
1 System error, one stream flow rate is zero. Check input data.
2 Calculation failure in finding bicarbonation roots in Increasing solvent circulation rate
acid gas equilibrium correlation. might solve the problem.
AMINE PROCESS
The removal of acid gases such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon dioxide (CO2) from process gas streams
and liquefied petroleum gases is often required in natural gas plants and in oil refineries. There are many
treating processes available. However, no single process is ideal for all applications. The initial selection of
a particular process may be based on feed parameters such as composition, pressure, temperature and the
nature of the impurities, as well as product specifications. Final selection is ultimately based on process
economics, reliability, versatility and environmental constraints. Clearly the selection procedure is not a
trivial matter and any tool that provides a reliable mechanism for process design optimization is highly
desirable. Acid gas removal processes using absorption technology and chemical solvents are widely used in
the gas processing industry, particularly those using aqueous solutions of alkanolamines.
The following figure shows the conventional process configuration for a gas treating system that uses an
aqueous alkanolamine solution.
The sour gas feed is contacted with amine solution counter-currently in a tray or packed absorber. Acid
gases are absorbed into the solvent which is then heated and fed to the top of the regeneration tower.
Stripping steam produced by the reboiler causes the acid gases to desorb from the amine solution as it
passes down the column.
A condenser provides reflux and the acid gases are recovered overhead as a vapor by-product. Lean amine
solution is cooled and recycled to the absorber. A partially stripped, semi-lean amine stream may be
withdrawn from the regenerator and fed to the absorber in the split-flow modification to the conventional
plant flowsheet. A three-phase separator or flash tank may be installed at the outlet of the absorber to
permit the recovery of dissolved and entrained hydrocarbons and to reduce the hydrocarbon content of the
acid gas product.
The design of amine treating units involves the selection of process configuration, amine type and
concentration, solvent circulation rate, reboiler heat requirements, and operating pressures and
temperatures. Also, the mechanical tray design and the number of stages in the contactor will affect the
process performance and are particularly important in selective absorption applications.
Amine units were designed in the past using hand calculations and operating experience. Design conditions
were typically chosen within a conservative range in order to cover the deficiencies in the data used in hand
calculations. Today, simulation is the primary means of obtaining values for the key design variables in the
process.
Although some rules-of-thumb exist for the design of selective absorption applications, the process is
generally controlled by reaction kinetics and cannot be designed on the basis of chemical equilibrium alone.
The simulation program must be relied upon as a predictive tool in these cases.
WHAT IS AMSIM?
AMSIM (AMine treating unit SIMulator) is a steady-state process simulator designed to model the operation
of an alkanolamine treating unit in which H2S and CO2 are removed from gas streams and liquefied
petroleum gases. Currently, AMSIM contains data to model the absorption/desorption process where
various aqueous solutions are used. AMSIM models single amine solutions - monoethanolamine (MEA),
diethanolamine (DEA), methyldiethanolamine (MDEA), triethanolamine (TEA), diglycolamine (DGA), or
diisopropanolamine (DIPA); any combination of two amine solutions; or physical solvents - dimethyl ethers of
polyethylene glycol (DEPG) also known as Coastal AGR, and methanol (MeOH).
AMSIM is developed by DBR Technology Center, a division of Schlumberger Canada Limited. The AMSIM
program uses a non-equilibrium stage model based on the stage efficiency concept is used to simulate the
performance of contactors and regenerators for plate columns. A rate-based model is also developed for the
simulation of packing columns. A list of reference articles on the research leading to the development of
AMSIM is contained in Appendix G. The best data have been used to determine the component properties in
the AMSIM component library.
DBR Technology Center strives to provide software that meets the needs of chemical and petroleum
engineering professionals. Although AMSIM is relatively simple to use, a basic understanding of gas
conditioning operations is required before the use of this program can be truly effective. The reference
books and articles listed in Appendix G should provide answers to most technical questions about the amine
treating process.
The simulation of amine treating facilities using AMSIM proceeds in a logical series of phases. Design
specifications are entered in the program, the calculations are performed, and simulation output is
reviewed.
The AMSIM graphic user-interface allows easy input, editing, and storage of data and efficient execution of
the program. Users can select from one of AMSIM's standard flowsheets and choose from a variety of
options within each flowsheet. The flowsheet is object-oriented which permits data input and output
viewing to be a button click away. Input and output information is logically and systematically organized for
easy access.
The AMSIM model incorporates a modified Murphree-type vapor efficiency to account for the varying mass-
transfer rates of individual acid gas components. The acid gas stage efficiencies are, in turn, functions of
mass-transfer coefficients and the mechanical design of the tray. When the generalized stage model is
extended to the multistage case, the resulting column flow geometry and nomenclature is shown in figure
followed.
The resulting set of balance equations that characterize the multistage unit are given in Equations A-1 to A-
6. This set of equations must be solved for each column in the flowsheet. A modified Newton-Raphson
method is used to simultaneously solve the rigorous nonlinear stage equations for temperature, composition
and phase rates on each stage in a column. Component material and energy balances are satisfied to a
desired tolerance.
Fj + Lj − 1 + Vj + 1 − ( Lj + SLj ) − (V + SV ) = 0 (A-1)
Energy Balance
∑y i, j − 1.0 = 0 (A-5)
∑x i, j − 1.0 = 0 (A-6)
Stage Efficiency
(V j + SV j ) y i , j − V i , j + 1 y i , j + 1
η? = (A-7)
(V j + SV j ) K i , jx i , j − V i , j + 1 y i , j + 1
The stage efficiency is a function of the kinetic rate constants for the reactions between each acid gas and
the amine, the physico-chemical properties of the amine solution, the pressure, temperature and the
mechanical tray design variables such as tray diameter, weir height and weir length.
EQUILIBRIUM SOLUBILITY
KENT-EISENBERG MODEL
A model based on the Kent and Eisenberg approach is used to correlate the equilibrium solubility of acid
gases in the amine solutions. The reference articles listed in Appendix G contain experimental data used to
validate the solubility model. Additional unpublished data for DEA, MDEA, MEA/MDEA, and DEA/MDEA
systems have also been incorporated into AMSIM. Improvements have been made to the model to extend
the reliable range to mole loadings between 0.0001 and 1.2 and a proprietary model has been developed to
predict the solubility of acid gas mixtures in tertiary amine solutions. Solubilities of inert components such
as hydrocarbons are modeled using a Henry's constant adjusted for ionic strength effects.
The prediction of equilibrium ratios or K-values involves the simultaneous solution of a set of non-linear
equations that describe the chemical and phase equilibria and the electroneutrality and mass balance of the
electrolytes in the aqueous phase. These equations are provided below. The model is used to interpolate
and extrapolate the available experimental solubility data in AMSIM. For tertiary amines that do not form
carbamate, the equations involving carbamate are eliminated from the model.
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
EQUILIBRIUM RELATIONS
H + R1R 2 NH
K1 = (A-16)
R1R 2 NH 2 +
H + R1R 2 R 3 N
K2 = (A-17)
R1R 2 R 3 NH +
HCO3 − R1R 2 NH
K3 = (A-18)
R1 R 2 NH 2 + H 2O
H + OH −
K4 = (A-19)
H 2O
H + HS −
K5 = (A-20)
H 2 S
H + HCO 3−
K6 = (A-21)
CO 2 H 2O
H + S =
K 7 = − (A-22)
HS
H + HCO3 =
K8 = (A-23)
HCO 3−
PHASE EQUILIBRIA
V
yH 2 S Φ H 2 S P = HH 2 S H 2 S (A-24)
V
yCO 2 Φ CO 2 P = H CO (A-25)
CHARGE BALANCE
MASS BALANCE
CH 2S = ( C1,2-amine+C3-amine ) aH 2S = [ H 2 S ] + HS − + S = (A-30)
The fugacity coefficient of the molecular species is calculated by the Peng-Robinson equation of state:
RT a (T )
P= (A-31)
v − b v (v + b ) + b ( v − b )
and
b = 0.07780 R TC / PC (A-33)
( )
a1/ 2 = 1 + a1 1 − Tr + a 2 (1 − Tr )( 0.7 − Tr ) (A-34)
The parameters α1and α2 are substance dependent and are determined through rigorous regressions against
reliable data.
For mixtures, the equation parameters a and b are estimated by the following mixing rules:
a=∑ ∑j xixj ( a a ) i j
1/ 2
1− kij
(A-35)
i
∑j xixj
b1 + b 2
b=∑ (1−lij ) (A-36)
i 2
The interaction parameters kij and lij are obtained from DBR's EQUI-PHASE program library.
PHASE EQUILIBRIA
The vapor-liquid equilibria of the molecular species is given by:
v
i Φ i P = H i xiγ iL
y (A-37)
where Hi is Henry’s constant, P the system vpressure, xi and yi the mole fraction of molecular species i in
L
liquid phase and gas phase, respectively, Φi and γi the fugacity coefficient in gas phase and the activity
coefficient in liquid phase, respectively.
The fugacity coefficient is calculated by the Peng-Robinson equation of state (Peng and Robinson, 1976):
RT a (T )
P= − (A-38)
V − b V (V + b ) + b (V − b )
Where the parameters are obtained from the PVT Pro program library. The activity coefficient is calculated
by the Clegg-Pitzer equation, which will be described below.
CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIA
In case of the single amine-H2S-CO2-H2O systems, the important chemical dissociation reactions are as
follows:
+ +
Amine ⇔ Amine + H (A-39a)
- +
H2S ⇔ HS + H (A-39b)
- +
CO2 + H2O ⇔ HCO3 + H (A-39c)
- +
H2O ⇔ OH + H (A-39d)
- = +
HCO3 ⇔ CO3 + H (A-39e)
- = +
HS ⇔ S + H (A-39f)
The chemical equilibrium constants in the acid gas - amine systems play an important role in the prediction
of the equilibrium solubilities of acid gases in the aqueous amine solutions. The equilibrium constant K can
be expressed by:
K =Π ( x γ ) i i i
βi
(A-40)
In K = C1 + C2/T + C3 ln T + C4 T (A-41)
Henry’s constant has the same function of temperature as that in Eq. A-41.
• Amine, H2O, CO2 and H2S and seven ionic species: Amine+, HCO3-, HS-, H+, OH-, CO3=and S= for the
Amine-H2S-CO2-H2O system.
The determination of the compositions of all molecular and ionic species in both vapor and liquid phases
involves the simultaneous solution of a set of nonlinear equations that describe the phase equilibria and
chemical equilibria, electroneutrality (charge balance) and mass balance of the electrolytes in the aqueous
solution.
g DH 4A I
= − x x ln (1 + ρ I x1/ 2 ) + ∑ ∑ x x B g (α I )
c a ca
1/ 2
x (A-43)
RT ρ c a
gs
= ∑∑ aijxixj + ∑∑∑ aijkxixjxk = x1∑ xn ∑∑ FcFaWnca + ∑∑ xn xn ' ( Amn ' xn '+ An ' nxn )
RT c a i j k n c a n n'
(A-44)
Where: An’n = 2ann’ + 3an’n
Ann’ = 2ann’ + 3ann’n’’
Wnca = (2wnc+2wna-wca+2unc+2una)/4
Wij = 2aij + 3/2 (aiij + aijj)
uij = 3/2(aiij-aijj)
The expressions of activity coefficient for solvent N and ion M+ are as follows:
2 AxI x3/ 2
ln γ N = 1/ 2
− ∑∑ xc xc Bca exp ( −α I x1/ 2 ) + x1 (1 − xN ) ∑∑ FcFaWNca
1+ ρ Ix c a c a
−2∑ ' ∑ 'xnxn ' ( Ann ' xn '+ An ' nxn ) (A-45)
n n'
2 I x 1/ 2 (1 − 2 I x / z M 2 )
ln γ M = − z M
+ 2
Ax ln (1 + ρ I x ) +
1/ 2
1/ 2
+ ∑ x a B M a g (α I x1 / 2 )
ρ 1+ ρ Ix a
zM 2 g (α I x1/ 2 )
−∑∑ xc xa Bca + (1 − zM 2 / 2 I x ) exp ( −α I x1/ 2 ) + 2∑ xn ∑ Fa wnMa
c a 2I x n a
−2∑ ' ∑ 'xnxn ' ( Ann ' xn '+ An ' nxn ) (A-46)
n n'
Where subscripts c, a, and n and n’ represent cation, anion, and molecular species, respectively. The
subscript 2 in Eq. A-46 stands for water. The total mole fraction of ions (xI) is given by
x I = 1 − ∑ xn (A-47)
The cation and anion fractions Fc and Fa are defined for fully symmetrical electrolyte systems by
Fc = 2 xc / xI (A-48)
Fa = 2 xa / xI (A-49)
I = 1/ 2 ∑ z
x i
2
xl (A-50)
Here x =α I = 2I
x
1/ 2 1/ 2
I = 1/ 2 ∑ z i
2
Ci (A-52)
Ax = Aφ (∑ Cn )1/ 2 (A-53)
Ci and Cn are the molar concentrations of the ion i and solvent n, respectively. I is the ionic strength in molar
concentration. Af is the Debye-Huckel parameter, which is a function of temperature, density and dielectric
constant of the mixed solvents. The parameter r is related to the hard-core collision diameter, or distance of
closest approach between ions in solution. An’n and Ann’ are the interaction parameters between and among
the molecular species, respectively. Bca is the hard sphere repulsion parameter between ions and Wnca is the
interaction parameter between ions and between ion and solvent. Parameters An’n, Ann’, Bca and Wnca share
the same function of temperature:
Y = a + b/T (A-54)
The Clegg-Pitzer equations appear to be uncompromisingly long and contain many terms and parameters.
However, it should be pointed out that only a few parameters were used and many terms, such as the
quaternary terms in the original Clegg-Pitzer equations were omitted in this model. It can be seen that only
Ann’, An’n, Bca and Wnca appear in the expressions and are treated as adjustable parameters.
In this model, both water and amine are treated as solvents. The standard state of each solvent is the pure
liquid at the system temperature and pressure. The adopted reference state for ionic and molecular species
is the ideal and infinitely dilute aqueous solution.
PHASE ENTHALPY
Vapor phase enthalpy is calculated by the Peng-Robinson equation-of-state which integrates ideal gas heat
capacity data from a reference temperature. Liquid phase enthalpy also includes the effect of latent heat of
vaporization and heat of reaction.
The absorption or desorption of H2S and CO2 in aqueous solutions of alkanolamine involves a heat effect due
to the chemical reaction. This heat effect is a function of amine type and concentration, and the mole
loadings of acid gases. The heat of solution of acid gases is obtained by differentiating the experimental
solubility data using a form of the Gibbs-Helmholtz equation.
The heat effect which results from evaporation and condensation of amine and water in both the absorber
and regenerator is accounted for through the latent heat term which appears in the calculation of liquid
enthalpy. Water content of the sour gas feed can have a dramatic effect on the predicted temperature
profile in the absorber and should be considered, particularly at low pressures.
When modelling DEPG process, only the first four flowsheet options are available. Within each of the basic
flowsheets there are several options that allow users to customize the flowsheet to meet their specific
requirements.
A sequential modular approach is used to organize the simulation of each unit operation and to promote the
closure of overall process energy and material balances when the flowsheet contains material recycle. The
flowsheet calculation uses the composition of the recycle lean and semi-lean amine streams to determine
whether the problem has converged. Initial estimates of the acid gas residual loadings in the amine streams
are supplied to the program. The simulator proceeds to solve the flowsheet sequentially to determine the
revised lean and semi-lean amine stream compositions. If the assumed and revised compositions agree
within a specified tolerance, the flowsheet calculation has converged. If not, the program cycles through the
flowsheet again using a direct substitution method.
For the absorbers, AMSIM uses approximate acid gas heats of solution and liquid heat capacities to
estimate the temperature on each stage. In the regenerator, the saturation temperature of the solvent
solution on each stage is used as an initial value.
The stage efficiencies used in the AMSIM program are known to be functions of the mechanical tray
dimensions. The program requires values for the internal column diameter, the outlet weir length and the
outlet weir height. AMSIM will make the initial stage efficiency estimation, but the user has the option of
overwriting these initial values.
AMSIM uses the initial vapor and liquid profile data to determine the required tower diameter. The hot
liquid flow rate on each stage provides an estimate of the required downcomer area and weir length. The
weir height is initialized according to the estimated tower diameter.
AMSIM estimates the efficiencies using the vapor, liquid and temperature profiles as well as the
mechanical tray dimensions, but the user can override these values. Stage efficiencies range from 0.0 to 1.0.
Theoretical stages can be simulated by manually specifying 1.0 for the stage efficiency.
The reboiler is always considered as a theoretical stage; therefore its efficiency is 1.0 and cannot be
specified.
APPENDIX G: REFERENCES
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Hydrogen Sulfide Water", Ind. Eng. Chem., 49, 1439-1444, 1957.
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3. Bosch, H., "Gas-Liquid Mass Transfer with Parallel Reversible Reactions-III. Absorption of CO2
into Solutions of Blends of Amines", Chem. Eng. Sci., 44, 2745-2750, 1989.
4. Carroll, J.J., F.-Y. Jou, A.E. Mather and F.D. Otto, "The Distrubution of Hydrogen Sulfide
between an Aqueous Amine Solution and Liquid Propane", Fluid Phase Equilibria, 82, 183-190,
1993.
5. Carroll, J.J., F.-Y Jou, A.E. Mather, and F.D. Otto, “The Solubility of Methane in Aqueous
Solutions of Monoethanolamine, Diethanolamine and Triethanolamine”, Submitted to the
Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 1997.
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38, 75-77, 1993.
15. Jou, F.Y., J.J. Carroll, A.E. Mather and F.D. Otto, “The Solubility of Carbon Dioxide and
Hydrogen Sulfide in a 35 wt% Aqueous Solution of Methyldiethanolamine”,
17. Jou, F.-Y., F.D. Otto, A.E. Mather, “Vapor-Liquid Equilibrium of Carbon Dioxide in Aqueous
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Chemistry Research, 33, 2002-2005,1994.
18. Jou, F.-Y., A.E. Mather, F.D. Otto and J.J. Carroll, “Experimental Investigation of the Phase
Equilibria in the Carbon Dioxide-Propane-3 M MDEA System”,Industrial & Engineering
Research, 34, 2526-2529, 1995.
19. Jou, F.-Y., A.E. Mather and F.D. Otto, “The Solubility of CO2 in a 30 Mass Percent
Monoethanolamine Solution”, the Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 73, 140-147,
1995.
20. Jou, F.-Y., J.J. Carroll, A.E. Mather and F.D. Otto, “Phase Equilibria in the System n-butane-
watermethlydiethanolamine”, Fluid Phase Equilibria”, 116, 407-413, 1996.
21. Jou, F.-Y., F.D. Otto, A.E. Mather, “Solubility of Mixtures of Hydrogen Sulfide and Carbon
Dioxide in Aqueous Solutions of Triethanolamine”, Journal of Chemical and Engineering Data,
41, 1181-1183, 1996.
22. Jou, F.-Y., F.D. Otto, A.E. Mather, “Solubility of Ethane in Aqueous Solutions of
Triethanolamine”, Journal of Chemical Engineering Data, 41, 794-795, 1996.
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Solution”, The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 75, 1997.
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Aqueous Solutions of Methyldiethanolamine”, Submitted to the Journal of Chemical and
Engineering Data, 1997.
25. Kahrim, A. and A.E. Mather, "Enthalpy of Solution of Acid Gases in DEA Solutions", Presented
at the 69th AIChE Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, Nov.28-Dec.2, 1976.
26. Katz, D.L., D. Cornell, R. Kobayashi, F.H. Poettmann, J.A. Vary, J.R. Elenbaas and C.F.
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27. Kent, R.L., and B. Eisenberg, "Better Data for Amine Treating", Hydrocarbon Processing, 55,
No.2, 87-90, 1976.
28. Kohl, A.L. and F.C. Riesenfeld, "Gas Purification", 4th Ed., Gulf Publishing Co., Houston, Texas,
1985.
29. Lal, D., E.E. Isaacs, A.E. Mather and F.D. Otto, "Equilibrium Solubility of Acid Gases in
Diethanolamine and Monoethanolamine Solutions at Low Partial Pressures", Proceedings of
the 30th Annual Gas Conditioning Conference, Norman, Oklahoma, March 3-5, 1980.
30. Lawson, J.D., and A.W. Garst, "Gas Sweetening Data:Equilibrium Solubility of Hydrogen
Sulfide and Carbon Dioxide in Aqueous Monoethanolamine and Aqueous Diethanolamine
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31. Lawson, J.D., and A.W. Garst, "Hydrocarbon Gas Solubility in Sweetening Solutions :
Methane and Ethane in Aqueous Monoethanolamine and Diethanolamine", J. Chem. Eng.
Data, 21, 30-32, 1976.
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Solutions at High Pressures", J. Chem. Eng. Data, 17, 465-468, 1972.
33. Lee, J.I., F.D. Otto, and A.E. Mather, "Solubility of Hydrogen Sulfide in Aqueous
Diethanolamine Solutions at High Pressures", J. Chem. Eng. Data, 18, 71-73, 1973a.
34. Lee, J.I., F.D. Otto, and A.E. Mather, "Partial Pressures of Hydrogen Sulfide over Aqueous
Diethanolamine Solutions", J. Chem. Eng. Data, 18, 420, 1973b.
35. Lee, J.I., F.D. Otto, and A.E. Mather, "The Solubility of Mixtures of Carbon Dioxide and
Hydrogen Sulphide in Aqueous Diethanolamine Solutions", Can. J. Chem. Eng., 52, 125-127,
1974a.
36. Lee, J.I., F.D. Otto and A.E. Mather, "The Solubility of H2S and CO2 in Aqueous
Monoethanolamine Solutions", Can. J. Chem. Eng., 52, 803-805, 1974b.
37. Lee, J.I., F.D. Otto and A.E. Mather, "Solubility of Mixtures of Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen
Sulfide in 5.0 N Monoethanolamine Solution", J. Chem. Eng. Data, 20, 161-163, 1975.
38. Lee, J.I., F.D. Otto and A.E. Mather, "Equilibrium in Hydrogen Sulfide-Monoethanolamine-
Water System", J.Chem. Eng. Data, 21, 207-208, 1976a.
39. Lee, J.I., F.D. Otto and A.E. Mather, "The Measurement and Prediction of the Solubility of
Mixtures of Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen Sulphide in a 2.5 N Monoethanolamine Solution",
Can. J. Chem. Eng., 54, 214-219, 1976b.
40. Lee, J.I., F.D. Otto and A.E. Mather, "Equilibrium Between Carbon Dioxide and Aqueous
Monoethanolamine Solutions", J. Appl. Chem. Biotechnol., 26, 541-549, 1976c.
41. Lee, J.I. and A.E. Mather, "Solubility of Hydrogen Sulfide in Water", Ber. Bunsenges z. Phys.
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of Aqueous Condensates from Coal Processing" in Thermodynamics of Aqueous Systems with
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Aqueous Aminoethanol", Russian J. Phys. Chem., 45, 230-231, 1971.
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Monoethanolamine Solutions at Low Partial Pressures", Can. J. Chem. Eng., 55, 715-717,
1977.
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November 25-30, 1984.
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Japan, September 21-25, 1986.
54. Tomcej, R.A., D. Lal, H.A. Rangwala and F.D. Otto, "Absorption of Carbon Dioxide into
Aqueous Solutions of Methyldiethanolamine", Presented at the AIChE Annual Meeting, Miami
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