3 replies to this topic

[hinarris]

Hi All,

 

I am currently learning the design of fuel gas conditioning equipment such as gas sweeting, dehydration, filter/vane separators, knock out drums, pressure reduction systems etc. 

 

I would like to know how HYSYS (or any process simulator) can be used for the design of fuel gas conditioning equipment. I am new to fuel gas conditioning design using process simulators and I am not sure what capabilities HYSYS (or any process simulator) have to design this equipment. Could anybody who use HYSYS for the design of fuel gas conditioning equipment advise the various things that we can do?

 

Regards,

Kashyap.

[ColinR33]

Dear Kashyap, Hysys can be used to set up the process simulation for these and provide the detailed process information to allow sizing of the various pieces of equipment, and perhaps even some preliminary sizing of certain equipment, but I personally would never use it to do final sizing of any equipment, unless you are using it in conjunction with another program such as Flarenet/PSV Plus (for relief line/PSV sizing), Aspen Exchanger sizing, or the like, and have experience using those. 

Amine Sweetening - Hysys does an "OK" job for modelling generic amine systems but you have to know what the programs limitations are, be able to interpret the results and be prepared to adjust things to get a realistic answer.  This takes a lot of experience.  There are a number of other simulators out there that do better, ProMax being a popular one.  Note I said "generic" amine - many amines you get now are formulated solvents and the supplier will prepare a simulation run and provide the results using there own in-house simulator or industry program such as ProMax.  These formulated solvents act differently than generic amines and it is best to contact the supplier. Once you have the simulation data you will have to size the individual equipment using the process parameters from the simulation.

TEG dehydration, again Hysys is OK, but again there are limitation and some simulator do it better.  Again, experience plays a key role in how you use the simulator and interpret the results. 

I have designed, fabricated and started up numerous gas treating processes and equipment using Hysys as the design basis so I know it works if you understand the limitations.  If you are doing this for the first time, I would be very careful and make sure you have someone with experience helping/reviewing or plain doing the design for you.  Not fully understanding how to use a simulator such as Hysys and blindly accepting the results of a simulation can lead you into a lot of trouble and grief.  Garbage in = garbage out.

Filter Vane separators use proprietary designs for their internals and you can use the process stream information from Hysys to get a supplier to size these internals and lay out the vessel for you. 

Knockout drums - Hysys has a separator sizing utility but I have never used it, to be blunt, I don't trust it.  I use the stream properties from Hysys and an in-house spreadsheet to size separators,and you can find a lot of articles on how to size separators.

Pressure reduction systems - again, you can set up the simulation to get the process stream properties but you will need to contact control valve suppliers for proper sizing of the letdown valve, and if a heater is needed to heat the fuel gas, Hysys can provide the stream properties for that design.

 

Cheers,

[Padmakar Katre]

Good explanation by ColinR33. Few additional points from me.

1. What exactly you mean to say equipment design like gas sweetening, gas dehydration? You want to have process design of these units or various equipments involved in these units?

2. Process design is OK with a commercial simulator if one knows the limitations and have sound know-how of the system/units involved.

I will strongly recommend not to use the equipment design features available in these simulators unless the requirement is purely academic.

Edited by Padmakar, 18 September 2013 - 01:55 AM.

[hinarris]

Thanks a lot ColinR33. I got a good understanding about the limitations of process simulators sizing these equipment from your explanation.

 

Hi Padmakar, Thanks for your comment. I actually mean the process design of the equipment only but I understand from your note that the equipment sizing capabilities of these simulators are limited.