Evaluation of hybridized performance of amine scrubbing plant based on exergy, energy, environmental, and economic prospects: A gas sweetening plant case study

Highlights: • Exergy and energy assessment of a gas sweetening plant is systematically conducted. • Effect of various MDEA/DEA compositions on exergy and energy performances is investigated. • Significant energy consumption reduction (22%) occurs at optimal operating conditions. • A considerable reduction in CO₂ emissions, equal to 2893.6 t/y, is attained as a result of exergy analysis. • A parametric sensitivity analysis is conducted to make better design and policy decisions. Gas sweetening is a key process in gas refineries. The equipment involved in gas sweetening generally consume a considerable amount of energy, leading to negative impacts in terms of economic and environmental prospects. This research work includes simulation, analytical, and numerical modeling approaches to evaluate exergy, energy, economic, and environmental analysis of a gas sweetening plant (GSP). Various compositions of methyl-di-ethanolamine (MDEA) and di-ethanolamine (DEA) blend are studied to mitigate exergy destruction, energy loss, and CO₂ emissions in the sweetening process. According to the results, the absorber and stripper are responsible for 37% of the total exergy destruction and 29% of the total energy loss, respectively. DEA concentration plays an imperative role in exergy and energy management of the GSP. The optimum amine concentration of 40 wt% decreases the total exergy destruction from 6.6 MW to 4.8 MW and lowers the energy loss by 36.7%. This optimization strategy then results in a substantial reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2893.6 tons per year (t/y), compared to the current operation state. The economic assessment confirms the profitability of the plant to be operated at the optimal amine concentration. This research study provides an efficient strategy to optimize a variety of industrial plants that include energy consuming sections.