Shrinking-Core Model Integrating to the Fluid-Dynamic Analysis of Fixed-Bed Adsorption Towers for H 2 S Removal from Natural Gas

Bryan Carrasco, Edward Ávila, Alfredo Viloria and Marvin Ricaurte
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Bryan Carrasco: Grupo de Investigación Aplicada en Materiales y Procesos (GIAMP), School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, Hda. San José s/n y Proyecto Yachay, 100119 Urcuquí, Ecuador
Edward Ávila: Grupo de Investigación Aplicada en Materiales y Procesos (GIAMP), School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, Hda. San José s/n y Proyecto Yachay, 100119 Urcuquí, Ecuador
Alfredo Viloria: Grupo de Investigación Aplicada en Materiales y Procesos (GIAMP), School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, Hda. San José s/n y Proyecto Yachay, 100119 Urcuquí, Ecuador
Marvin Ricaurte: Grupo de Investigación Aplicada en Materiales y Procesos (GIAMP), School of Chemical Sciences and Engineering, Yachay Tech University, Hda. San José s/n y Proyecto Yachay, 100119 Urcuquí, Ecuador

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 17, 1-16

Abstract: Natural gas sweetening is an essential process within hydrocarbon processing operations, enabling compliance with product quality specifications, avoiding corrosion problems, and enabling environmental care. This process aims to remove hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), carbon dioxide, or both contaminants. It can be carried out in fixed-bed adsorption towers, where iron oxide-based solid sorbent reacts with the H 2 S to produce iron sulfides. This study is set out to develop a fluid-dynamic model that allows calculating the pressure drop in the H 2 S adsorption towers with the novelty to integrate reactivity aspects, through an iron sulfide layer formation on the solid particles’ external skin. As a result of the layer formation, changes in the particle diameter and the bed void fraction of the solid sorbent tend to increase the pressure drop. The shrinking-core model and the H 2 S adsorption front variation in time support the model development. Experimental data on pressure drop at the laboratory scale and industrial scale allowed validating the proposed model. Moreover, the model estimates the bed replacement frequency, i.e., the time required to saturate the fixed bed, requiring its replacement or regeneration. The model can be used to design and formulate new solid sorbents, analyze adsorption towers already installed, and help maintenance-planning operations.

Keywords: fluid-dynamic modeling; fixed-bed tower; pressure drop; H 2 S removal; shrinking-core model; solid sorbent; adsorption (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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