Techno-economic feasibility and performance evaluation of replacing diglycolamine (DGA) with diethanolamine (DEA) in a dual-pressure gas sweetening unit: A comprehensive field case study

IF 8.8 Q1 ENERGY & FUELS

Energy Conversion and Management-X Pub Date : 2026-05-01 Epub Date: 2026-04-03 DOI:10.1016/j.ecmx.2026.101813

Mahdi Garousi , Marzie Farjami , Hasan Ebrahimi

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Abstract

The removal of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) from refinery gas streams is essential for operational safety, environmental compliance, and equipment integrity. This study provides a comprehensive technical and economic evaluation of replacing diglycolamine (DGA) with diethanolamine (DEA) in a dual-pressure gas sweetening unit at the Tehran Oil Refining Company. Through a carefully managed solvent transition and continuous monitoring, DEA demonstrated superior performance. The use of DEA achieved a significant reduction in outlet H₂S concentration, particularly in the low-pressure absorber, and simultaneously reduced steam consumption in the stripper reboiler by 9.6%. A key finding was the complete elimination of the energy-intensive reclaimer unit, which resulted in 100% energy savings for that reclaimer unit compared to its operation with DGA. Economically, the switch to DEA yielded approximately USD 152,000 in annual solvent cost savings and contributed to total annual savings exceeding USD 225,000. Additionally, DEA’s reliable domestic availability in Iran mitigates supply chain risks, establishing DEA as a technically superior, economically advantageous, and strategically resilient alternative to DGA for refinery gas sweetening applications.

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双压气体脱硫装置用二乙醇胺（DEA）替代二乙醇胺（DGA）的技术经济可行性及性能评价：综合现场案例研究

从炼油厂气体流中去除硫化氢（H2S）对于操作安全、环境合规性和设备完整性至关重要。本研究对德黑兰炼油公司双压气体脱硫装置用二乙醇胺（DEA）代替二乙醇胺（DGA）进行了全面的技术经济评价。通过精心管理的溶剂过渡和持续监测，DEA表现出优异的性能。DEA的使用显著降低了出口H2S浓度，特别是在低压吸收器中，同时将汽提塔再沸器的蒸汽消耗量降低了9.6%。一个关键的发现是完全消除了能源密集型的回收装置，与使用DGA相比，回收装置节省了100%的能源。从经济上讲，转向DEA每年可节省约15.2万美元的溶剂成本，全年节省总额超过22.5万美元。此外，DEA在伊朗国内的可靠可用性降低了供应链风险，使DEA成为炼油气脱硫应用中DGA的技术优势、经济优势和战略弹性替代品。

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来源期刊

Energy Conversion and Management-X Multiple-

CiteScore

8.80

自引率

3.20%

发文量

180

审稿时长

58 days

期刊介绍： Energy Conversion and Management: X is the open access extension of the reputable journal Energy Conversion and Management, serving as a platform for interdisciplinary research on a wide array of critical energy subjects. The journal is dedicated to publishing original contributions and in-depth technical review articles that present groundbreaking research on topics spanning energy generation, utilization, conversion, storage, transmission, conservation, management, and sustainability. The scope of Energy Conversion and Management: X encompasses various forms of energy, including mechanical, thermal, nuclear, chemical, electromagnetic, magnetic, and electric energy. It addresses all known energy resources, highlighting both conventional sources like fossil fuels and nuclear power, as well as renewable resources such as solar, biomass, hydro, wind, geothermal, and ocean energy.