LAUSR

Abstract Natural gas processing unit consume a high amount of energy. Any attempt to achieve lower energy consumption subjected to evaluation criteria would lead to a remarkable enhancement in the process efficiency. In the present study, an optimization was carried out by minimizing the specific energy consumption [kWh/kg of Sales Gas - SG] including the restriction of a minimum limit of 90% C3+ recovery by manipulation of some operational parameters such as temperature and pressure. Three natural gas C3+ molar compositions were analyzed: 11.2% , 8.9% and 5.5%. The results were submitted to six evaluation criteria: energy, economic, recovery, production, safety and quality performance. There was a reduction in specific energy consumption of 21.1% for 5.5% composition and an increase in the economic margin [US$/h] in 0.35% with a reduction of the recovery performance in about 3.8% and of the adopted safety criterion. In all cases the quality criteria was met.