UAEU and Industry Breakthrough in Natural Gas
The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), in cooperation with the Japan Cooperation Center, Petroleum (JCCP), Nippon Oil Research Institute, and the Abu Dhabi Gas Liquefaction Company (ADGAS) have finalized several years of research which resulted in a new, alternative method to remove acid gases from natural gas by using membrane (contactor) technology.
This was announced during the last council meeting, which was held in ADGAS Headquarters this week, where experts and academics from the four bodies discussed the final outcomes of the project.
The project aimed to develop a new process based on membrane (contactor) technology as a possible alternative for the current industry-standard amine sweetening process used in the UAE oil and gas industry for the removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from natural gas.
“After a two phase process and several years of research we are glad that this project is now coming to a successful end, producing results that bring us closer to implementing a new more efficient technology. The first phase started in 2005 and aimed at determining the performance of different types of membrane fibers and conducting parametric studies using simulated natural gas. The second phase started in 2008 and focused on the simultaneous removal of CO2 and H2S from natural gas processed at ADGAS facilities where conditions of high pressure and temperature exist,” said Prof. Sehamuddin Galadari, UAEU’s Vice Provost for Research &Graduate Studies.
“The research team was able to successfully report the removal of CO2 and H2S from natural gas using membrane contactors operated at high pressure up to 50 atm and high temperatures up to 110 °C, which is considered a first laboratory testing in the world for this application,” he added.
Further elaborating on the project, Prof. Reyadh Almehaideb, Dean of the College of Engineering, UAEU said, “The major achievement of the project is the development of novel membrane technology that promises to reduce the energy use in natural gas sweetening operations. The team carried out the full scope of investigation from membrane fibers fabrication, experimental testing, mathematical and process modeling, and finally to a commercial feasibility study. Membrane fibers were fabricated in UAEU’s laboratories using different techniques, characterized to establish their properties, and tested for CO2 and H2S separation by physical and chemical absorption by solvents on the other side of membranes. Use of proper membranes allowed for a major reduction in the volume of solvents needed thereby reducing the solvent regeneration costs. The technology and experience developed are considered to be among the best in the world, as judged by a Japanese expert who is an authority in the field and it is certainly the first of its kind in the Arab world.”
Mr. Fahim Kazim, ADGAS CEO, expressed his satisfaction at the results of the project. “This is a prime example of how successful collaboration efforts between local industry and national academic institutions can result in innovative environmental solutions. ADGAS will continue to work closely with our partners and stakeholders for the common benefit of our country.”
Mr. Morihiro Yoshida, JCCP’s Managing Director expressed his appreciation to ADGAS for their support of the project as the UAE industrial partner and congratulated the UAEU research team on its fine accomplishments.
There were a number of other notable outcomes from this project, led by Dr. Mohamed Al-Marzouqi, Associate professor of Chemical Engineering and included of 3 faculty co-investigators and 4 assistants. They include two patents awarded and one pending, twenty one scientific papers published in reputable international journals, eighteen conference presentations, as well as participation in several other presentations. The research team plans to continue developing the technology in cooperation with commercial suppliers to optimize the cost of commercially available membranes used, so the new technology can be applied in Industry. The team also plans to utilize the state-of-the-art membrane technology laboratory to develop and gain knowledge and experience in new applications in the Industry as use of membranes is expanding in offshore operations to conserve space, and in a number of environmental processes for the capture and recovery of industrial and green-house gases.
