Simulation and Optimization of Condensate Stabilization Unit of Phase 12 of South Pars with Aspen plus

Gas condensate stabilization is a process in which impurities such as light hydrocarbons, salts, hydrogen sulfide, etc. are separated from the crude gas condensate, making it suitable for storage in tanks or for export. One of the most important features of a stabilized condensate is having the proper vapor pressure or RVP (Reid Vapor Pressure), water and salt content in the standard range. In phase 12 of South Pars due to the low boiling efficiency of the stabilization tower, the process efficiency was significantly reduced, which resulted in the production of inferior product with higher RVP. Therefore, in order to compensate the efficiency, the condensate stabilization unit was simulated with Aspen Plus software and the results were even tested under operating conditions. Operational variables optimized to produce a high quality product include: reducing the pressure of the condensate stabilization tower to produce a higher quality product, adjusting the flue water for injection into the desalination container, increasing the rate of recirculation flow to remove light hydrocarbons and more liquid and gas separation, increasing temperature and decrease degassing pressure to produce product with proper steam pressure, reducing the flow and increase the feed temperature to the tower, and reducing the flow and increase the temperature of the refrigeration unit to reduce the RVP of the stabilization unit product.

Keywords:

Gas condensate , Stabilization , Light hydrocarbons , Reid vapor pressure , Aspen Plus.