22-08-2014

A new generation of structured packings for gas treatment

PROSERNAT is launching into commercialization of structured packings for gas treatment applications with a product under the trade name IFPACC™, patented by IFPEN. This initiative follows the development of a new generation of structured packings derived from extensive research and development at IFPEN, and especially adapted to the constraints of acid gas removal by amine solvents. The first product, IFPACC™ 2X, will offer debottlenecking potential or cost savings when included in plant designs. Results of the development of this new packing will be presented by PROSERNAT and IFPEN at the 10th International Conference on Distillation & Absorption 2014 to be held on 14‑17 September 2014 in Friedrichshafen (Germany).

Improving efficiency and flow capacity of structured packings can help in reducing investment costs in acid gas treatment and CO₂ capture plants. IFPEN has developed a novel structured packing geometry with concepts that were applied to manufacture packing elements named IFPACC™ 2X with a geometric area of 200 m²/m³ (see picture). Production and performance tests were performed at near industrial scale in a 1 m diameter column. Relative to commercial structured packings, tested in the same facility, this new packing can offer a higher flow capacity with similar mass transfer rates. Process studies performed with the measured IFPACC™ 2X characteristics show that it can provide up to a 17% gain in column throughput after a revamp operation of a gas sweetening absorber. For new plants, significantly lower investment costs can thus be attained by reducing column size and weight.

Commercializing the packing will strengthen PROSERNAT’s position in gas sweetening by making it a provider of gas treatment solutions enhanced by the use of high intensity internals.