Study on separation of CO₂ condensation from natural gas based on cellular automaton method

ABSTRACT

The CO₂-containing natural gas is increasing, and there is an urgent need for green treatment of natural gas containing CO₂ to realize the utilization of natural gas. Conventional natural gas decarbonization methods have drawbacks such as non-environmental friendliness, and the low-temperature condensation separation of carbon dioxide (snowing-separation) method as a green method of carbon capture is proposed in this paper. Aiming at the characteristics of CO₂ condensation in the snowing-separation process, the growth process of CO₂ crystals is obtained by simulation using the CA (Cellular Automata) method and finds that the effect of supersaturation on the growth of CO₂ crystals is exponential. The snowing-separation process at .5 MPa is analyzed, and it is found that the condensation range is 158.51 K–173.86 K, the upper limit of CO₂ mole fraction in natural gas is 10.1%, and the minimum separation time is 8.65 × 10⁻⁸s. Analyzing the influencing factors of CO₂ separation efficiency, combining the simulation results with the experimental results, the maximum relative error is 13.93%, which can better predict the snowing-separation technology of CO₂ in natural gas, and then promote the development of efficient low-temperature carbon capture process.

KEYWORDS:

• Carbon dioxide
• natural gas
• crystal growth
• phase transition
• cellular automaton method

Acknowledgements

We are thankful for the support and assistance from the staff at the research group of Natural Gas Treatment Technology (China University of Petroleum).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Haiqin Wang

Haiqin Wang, D. degree in Oil and Gas Storage and Transportation Engineering from China University of Petroleum (East China) in 2008.

Qi Lu

Qi Lu, Master’s Degree in Oil and Gas Storage and Transportation Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China).

Zubin Zhang

Zubin Zhang, D. degree in Oil and Gas Storage and Transportation Engineering from China University of Petroleum (East China) in 2010.

Jianyang Lin

Jianyang Lin, Ph.D. Candidate, Oil and Gas Storage and Transportation Engineering, China University of Petroleum (East China).

Qishen Wu

Qishen Wu, 2020 Master’s Degree in Oil and Gas Storage and Transportation Engineering from China University of Petroleum (East China).