Design and Analysis of an MDEA-Based Natural Gas Purification System: Process Simulation and Economic Assessment

Shokry, Fathy; Sherif, Kamal; Ismail, Abdelhamid; Ezzat, Yahya; Elgohary, Mohamed; Kamal, Abdelrahman; Elhashemy, Abdelrahman; Bassyouni, Mohamed; Zarraa, Radwa M.

doi:10.21608/ijisd.2025.362803.1089

Design and Analysis of an MDEA-Based Natural Gas Purification System: Process Simulation and Economic Assessment

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Lecturer of chemical Engineering -Faculty of Engineering - Portsaid university

² Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Port Said University, Port Said, 42526, Egypt

³ Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Port Said University, Egypt Department of Chemical Engineering

⁴ Petrochemical Engineering Department,Faculty of Engineering ,Pharos University in Alexandria ,Alexandria,Egypt.

10.21608/ijisd.2025.362803.1089

Abstract

Natural gas purification is a critical process to meet environmental standards and enhance the fuel's usability. Methyl Diethanolamine (MDEA) has proven to be an effective and economical solvent for removing acid gases such as carbon dioxide (CO₂) from natural gas streams. This study aims to design and analyze a purification system capable of treating 27905.43 Nm3/h of natural gas using an MDEA absorption-regeneration cycle. The study included process simulation in ASPEN HYSYS v11.0, design of major equipment, and a feasibility assessment of the system's economic performance. The purification system includes an absorber, regenerator, lean/rich heat exchanger, separator, and booster pump, all designed based on material and energy balances. Key results indicate that 72,628 kg/h of MDEA solution is required to achieve a CO₂ removal efficiency exceeding 98%. The absorber, utilizing 25 sieve trays, was designed to optimize solvent contact for efficient gas absorption. The lean/rich heat exchanger was optimized for energy efficiency, showing a heat transfer area of 241.28 m² in ASPEN HYSYS calculations. Additionally, economic analysis estimated a fixed capital investment of $5.7 million, with an operating cost of $8.14 million per year. The payback period for the project was determined to be 1.74 years, demonstrating strong economic feasibility. This study highlights the technical and economic viability of using MDEA-based absorption for CO₂ removal, providing insights into process optimization and cost efficiency for large-scale natural gas purification plants.

Keywords