This book introduces a new and powerful approach based on rigorous process simulations conducted with professional simulators like HYSYS to predict the performance of supersonic separators (SS). The book addresses the utilization of SSs for the offshore processing of CO2-rich natural gas as an alternative to Joule-Thomson expansion, glycol absorption, membrane permeation and chemical absorption. It describes and analyzes the conventional offshore processing of CO2-rich natural gas, discussing the advantages of SS in terms of cost and power consumption. The book offers a comprehensive framework for modeling SS units, describing the physical principles of SS in detail. The thermodynamic multiphase sound speed is also discussed at the light shed by a classical analysis based on the Landau Model of phase transitions. A complete framework is presented for modelling and simulating SS units within HYSYS environment. A special chapter is dedicated to the performance of SSs for removing CO2 from CO2-rich natural gas, taking into account the limitations of CO2 freeze-out in various scenarios of gas feed in terms of CO2 content, pressure and temperature.

Autorentext

• Prof. Dr. Ofélia de Queiroz Fernandes Araújo: She holds a PhD (1987) and MSc (1984) degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (USA), and BSc in Chemical Engineering from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (1981), Brazil. Worked at NATRON SA (1987-198) and OXITENO SA (1989-1993) in process simulation and control engineering. Joined the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, in 1993, in the Chemical Engineering Department, where she is currently Associate Professor. Her research interests are process and environmental engineering, with special focus in natural gas processing, and CO2 separation and utilization, and green engineering. She was head of two graduate programs - Technology of Chemical and Biochemical Processes (2007-2010) and Environmental Engineering (2014-2015).

• Prof. Dr. José Luiz de Medeiros: He graduated in Chemical Engineering at Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (1980), Brazil. He earned MSc (1982) and DSc (1990) Chemical Engineering degrees from the same institution. He is currently an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Federal University of Rio de Janeiro since 1990. He has experience in several sectors of chemical engineering with emphasis in Petroleum, Natural Gas and Petrochemistry, with several published works in the following research lines: Applied Thermodynamics, Separation Processes, Process Identification & Optimization, Statistical & Mathematical Methods. His fields of study concentrate on Compositional Modeling, Hydro-treatment & Hydrocracking of Oil Fractions, Compressible & Incompressible Flows and Associate Separation Technologies, Flow Assurance in Natural Gas Systems, Pipeline Network Modeling for Natural Gas & Oil Transportation, Leak Detection in Compressible & Incompressible Pipeline Networks, Chemical Sequestration of CO2 , Capture of CO2 & H2S from Natural Gas via Membrane Permeation and Technologies of Contact with Aqueous Ethanolamines.                
• Lara de O. Arinelli: She is graduated in Chemical Engineering by the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and holds a M.Sc. degree with emphasis in process engineering, specifically in the oil and gas field. She is currently a D.Sc. student, while working in parallel in a research project with Petrobras. The main theme of her thesis is natural gas processing, focusing on the development of unit operation extensions of membranes and supersonic separation for simulation purposes. Lara gained an outstanding scholar award (undergraduate student) in 2012 due to her academic performance, B.Sc. degree with honours (cum laude) and in 2015 won the best M.Sc. thesis award from the Chemistry School of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

• Alexandre M. Teixeira: He is a chemical engineer, holds a M.Sc. degree with emphasis in oil and gas field, is currently a D.Sc. student and works in a project in a partnership with Petrobras. He has experience in the field of process engineering, focusing his research on flow assurance in offshore platforms, energy efficiency and natural gas processing. He gained an outstanding scholar award (undergraduate student) in 2012 due to his academic performance and B. Sc. with honors (cum laude), and in 2014 won the best M.Sc. thesis award from the Chemistry School of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro.

Inhalt

1. Introduction

2. Classical Offshore Processing of CO2 Rich Natural Gas              

3. Introducing CO2 Rich Natural Gas Processing with Supersonic Separators

4. Thermodynamic Modelling of CO2 Rich Natural Gas Systems

5. Thermodynamic Speed of Sound for Multiphase Multi-Reactive Equilibrium Systems  

6. HYSYS Modelling of Supersonic Separators and Membrane Permeation Units for Processing of CO2 Rich Natural Gas                  

7. Theory and Modelling of CO2 Freeze-Out and Its Influence on Processing of CO2 Rich Natural Gas       

8.  Offshore Processing of CO2 Rich Natural Gas with Supersonic Separators versus Conventional Routes  

9. Further Aspects on CO2 Removal via Supersonic Separators from CO2 Rich Natural Gas              

10. Thermodynamic Hydrate Inhibitors in Offshore Processing of Natural Gas: Recovery of Methanol, Ethanol and Monoethylene Glycol via gas processing with Supersonic Separators