Optimization of Adsorption-Based Natural Gas Dryers

Yasser Al Wahedi, Arwa H. Rabie, Abdulla Al Shaiba, Frank Geuzebroek, Prodromos Daoutidis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

Common approaches in designing natural gas dryers are based on empirical algebraic correlations and design heuristics. Such approaches fail to capture the process physics and are generally not optimal. In this work a new method for the design of natural gas dryers is presented. The method formulates a mixed integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem where the objective is to minimize the net present value of ensued costs (NPVC) of the drying system throughout its lifetime, while meeting all process constraints. Two process schemes based on common industrial conditions are considered, which differ in the source of the regeneration gas. Both schemes are shown to attain an optimal NPVC in the range of 4.5 to 5.4 $/MMSCF. When compared to conventional methods, this represents a reduction in the range of 17- 37%. The cost savings are primarily achieved from the optimization of the adsorption time, regeneration time, and the regeneration gas flow rate, thus illustrating the advantages of the proposed optimal design.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4658-4667
Number of pages10
JournalIndustrial and Engineering Chemistry Research
Volume55
Issue number16
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 27 2016

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 American Chemical Society.

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Optimization of Adsorption-Based Natural Gas Dryers'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this