In sulfur plant TGTU applications, FLEXSORB™ SE and SE Plus solvents require about half of the circulation rate and regeneration energy of other solvents based on methyldiethanolamine
(MDEA). CO2 rejection is very high, typically above 90%. Lower circulation rate translates into smaller heat exchangers and a smaller regenerator tower, thereby reducing investments for grassroots projects. For existing units, FLEXSORB SE and SE Plus solvents allow the unit to be debottlenecked with few or no equipment modifications.
In natural gas treating, selective H2S removal from natural gas can be advantageous whenever a portion of the CO2 can remain in the treated gas. In one natural gas treating facility, conversion to FLEXSORB SE solvent allowed the unit to increase gas production by 27% without modification of the existing hardware. At the same time, the circulation rate and reboiler duty was lowered to 65% and 78% of the design, respectively. FLEXSORB SE also improved the CO2 slip and the operability of the unit by reducing the co-absorption of heavy hydrocarbons.