Advanced exergy analysis of the natural gas liquid recovery process

Abstract

Energy quality in each country is one of the important indicators of economic development, Which affects the economic growth of that country. Exergy analysis, considering all flow properties including pressure, temperature, composition, is a powerful way to evaluate the energy consumption of equipment such as natural gas and liquefied gas plants. Inefficiency of a system can be defined by the conventional exergy analysis method, While, irreversible resources and real potentials for system improvement can only be identified by the advanced exergy analysis method. This analysis splits conventional exergy destruction into two exogenous and endogenous parts according to origin, and also unavoidable and avoidable parts according to the ability to remove and modifications. In this method, the exergy concept was separated by considering the ideal and avoidable condition assumptions. As a real case study, a natural gas liquid plant 800, from National Iranian South Oil Company located in southwest of Iran was considered to be investigated by conventional exergy analysis, advanced exergy analysis methods. The results of conventional exergy analysis illustrated that the highest amount of exergy destruction belonged to compressor and heat exchanger with 509.99 and 629.04 kW, respectively. However, in the case of heat exchanger, despite having the highest rate of exergy destruction, it is not considered in modification priorities due to its low avoidable exergy destruction value. Also, advanced exergy analysis suggested that the exergy destruction of the compressor and heat exchanger will be reduced by improving performance of these components.