Dynamic simulation and control of Natural Gas Liquids recovery process

Abstract

As Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) recovery process produces methane-rich gas from C2+ liquids at high pressure and sub-ambient temperature, it is important to implement robust process control schemes for ensuring operating integrity and process safety. The study aims to assess a range of control schemes and their dynamic characteristics for the NGL recovery process, and to determine the most appropriate and effective process control scheme. Equipment sizing have been made through steady state modeling and equipment-specific process design, with which dynamic model for the NGL process has been constructed. Dynamic responses and safety issues are investigated for each control scheme by changing feed flowrate and composition. Emergency scenarios occurred by malfunction or local control error have been addressed with dynamic model and the control scheme selected, for improving process operability and safety in practice. The systematic implementation of control structure with appropriate actions allows to enhance sustainability of NGL recovery processes by reducing unwanted waste generation and minimizing unnecessary energy usage.