Sajad Sarikhani - Process Engineer at Bakhtar Management and Development Co., Tehran, Iran
Amir Amirimehr - Process Engineer at Bakhtar Management and Development Co., Tehran, Iran

The aim of this paper is to augment recovery of ethane and other associated light hydrocarbons existing in natural gas by optimizing vital variables having profound effects on the performance of these plants. The investigations carried out in this case study are based on several designed plants located in the south of Iran. In some cases, the layout and technology of ethane recovery which is used and operating conditions dominating the process allow ethane recovery up to only 66% which is dramatically low in comparison with another similar plant with a nominal recovery of minimum 95%. Feed gas state and operating conditions, the complexity of heat integration, operating conditions of demethanizer and High Pressure Separator (HPS), the amount and type of utility consumption have extensive impacts on the level of ethane and other light hydrocarbons recovery. It is clear more ethane recovery will increase plant incomes and profits. Although feed composition (for example amount of ethane or CO2 compounds) is a major and first parameter to choose a proper layout for ethane recovery plants. Aforementioned items are the main parameters to be considered during new plant basic design and erection, revamp or existing plants optimization.

Ethane Recovery, Demethanizer, Process Optimization, Natural Gas Processing, NGL