Simulation and optimization of structured packing replacement in absorption column of natural gas dehydration unit using triethylene glycol (TEG)

Natural gas dehydration is an important process in the gas processing. In this process, water vapor is removed from natural gas streams since it can cause some problems in the next process. Application of structured packing in separation processes like natural gas dehydration has been increased since last few years. In this work, a domestic natural gas dehydration unit using triethylene glycol (TEG) was simulated. Predictive Redlich-Kwong-Soave (PSRK) equation of state was applied in the simulation. The existing tray column was replaced by structured packing and then was optimized. The results show that by replacing tray column with packed bed column can reduce the size of the column and also reduce the total annual cost (TAC) of the natural gas dehydration unit.