Concept Proofing of Supersonic Nozzle Separator for CO2 Separation from Natural Gas using a Flow Loop

Application of nozzle supersonic expansion has been used for dehydration and hydrocarbon dew pointing. Recently, the potential of the supersonic expansion technology in bulk CO2 separation from natural gas has been studied. The proof of concept testing of the nozzle prototype is being validated via a 15 MMSCFD flow loop at 36 bar and -19°C at KEMA, Groningen. The setup consists of a multiphase pump, gas-liquid separators and heat exchangers. Pressure transducer has been installed along the nozzle tube prototype and the pressure reading is recorded through the data acquisition system. Besides pressure, the temperature inlet, primary and secondary outlet of the tube has been monitored. Two vibration sensors have been installed to monitor the effect of the high vibration to the prototype. For quality check, an on-line gas chromatography has been installed at the inlet and the outlet. Several challenges had been faced during the start-up of the test in order to achieve the test condition. The pressure profile plotted along the prototype will be compared with the CFD simulation with various parameters evaluated. The shockwave predicted via simulation has been observed at the pressure profile and significant flow of liquid CO2 has been produced during the initial test. Reduction of temperature at the outlet of the tube gives an indication of separation has been occurred in the process. The preliminary results from the experiment will provide the improvements for the CFD simulation numerical modelling as well as the in-house coding for CO2 separation efficiency.