Membrane Contactors for Simultaneous Stripping of CO2 and H2S from Sour Natural Gas Using Amine Solvent
Keywords:
Membrane Contactors, Sour Natural Gas, Carbon Dioxide Removal, Hydrogen Sulfide Removal, Amine Solvent, Gas Separation TechnologyAbstract
The removal of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) from sour natural gas is essential for improving fuel quality, preventing pipeline corrosion, and meeting environmental and industrial specifications. This study investigates the application of membrane contactors for the simultaneous stripping of CO₂ and H₂S from sour natural gas using an amine-based solvent system. The research focuses on evaluating mass transfer performance, gas removal efficiency, and operational stability under varying process conditions. Experimental and modeling analyses were conducted to examine the effects of gas flow rate, solvent concentration, membrane surface area, operating pressure, temperature, and liquid circulation rate on acid gas absorption and stripping performance. The membrane contactor system demonstrated high removal efficiency for both CO₂ and H₂S due to the enhanced gas–liquid interfacial area and controlled diffusion characteristics provided by the membrane structure. The amine solvent exhibited strong chemical affinity toward acidic gases, contributing to effective separation and improved purification of natural gas streams. Results indicated that optimized operating conditions significantly increased stripping efficiency while reducing solvent loss and energy consumption compared with conventional absorption columns. Kinetic and transport analyses revealed that membrane characteristics and solvent regeneration behavior strongly influence overall process performance. Furthermore, the compact design and modular operation of membrane contactors offer advantages such as lower equipment footprint, improved process flexibility, and simplified scale-up for industrial applications. The findings highlight the potential of membrane contactor technology as an efficient and sustainable alternative for acid gas treatment in natural gas processing industries, supporting cleaner energy production and enhanced environmental compliance.
