Low-temperature CO2 removal from natural gas

As an alternative to chemical and physical solvents, membrane technologies and PSA, process principles for CO2 removal from natural gas by low-temperature distillation are presented. A low-temperature process reducing the CO2 concentration from an initial 50.6 vol-% to LNG specification (50 ppm) has been simulated in Aspen HYSYS. Main results such as product streams, power consumption for auxiliary refrigeration and steam requirements have been estimated. The process delivers the natural gas product for liquefaction at approximately 40 bar pressure and a temperature of -88 degrees C and should be well suited for further cooling and liquefaction. (C) 2012 Published by Elsevier Ltd. Selection and/or peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee of 2nd Trondheim Gas Technology Conference.