Simulation of a system to simultaneously recover CO2 and sweet carbon-neutral natural gas from wet natural gas: A delve into process inputs and units performances

• Analysis of process inputs and unit performances for simultaneous CO 2 recovery and sweet carbon-neutral natural gas production. • Examination of the impact of varying parameters on the efficiency and purity of the products. • Sensitivity analysis conducted on multiple units to assess their responses to changing boundary conditions. • Detailed description of the separation processes involved in the recovery of CO 2 and sweet natural gas. • Evaluation of the composition and flow rates of different components in the process streams. • Discussion on the implications of the study for the development of sustainable energy solutions in the natural gas industry. The growing need for carbon-neutral energy solutions necessitates the development of efficient systems for carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) recovery and the production of sweet carbon-neutral natural gas (CNNG) from wet natural gas. Despite existing approaches, limitations in process optimization, solvent efficiency, and output purity persist. This study aims to address these gaps by simulating a system for simultaneous recovery of CO 2 and CNNG using an integrated three-stage process, modeled in Aspen Plus V8.8. The unique aspect of this work lies in employing the ENRTL-RK base model, coupled with sensitivity analyses to optimize input parameters across 13 interconnected process units, including compressors, heat exchangers, and extraction columns. Key innovations include the novel configuration of units, yielding a recovery efficiency of 95.94% for CNNG and a CO 2 purity of 93.185% at optimal conditions, surpassing conventional methods. The performance of the monoethanolamine (MEA) solvent was enhanced by careful adjustment of input parameters, improving its absorption efficiency by 12% compared to standard operational settings. Sensitivity analysis revealed critical parameters such as feed pressure and solvent flow rate as primary drivers for maximizing output efficiency. This study also provides a detailed quantitative assessment of power requirements, with a compressor brake horsepower (BHP) of 18,2605 watts at 110 bar discharge pressure. It addresses the existing research gap by introducing a systematic approach to process optimization, significantly improving the purity and recovery of CNNG and CO 2 while minimizing energy consumption. The results not only demonstrate the viability of this process but also provide a foundation for further refinement in sustainable gas processing technologies.