Manual Amsim 2013.1

AMSIM
USER MANUAL
VERSION 2013.1
DBR Technology Center

Schlumberger Canada Ltd.
9450-17 Avenue
Edmonton, AB Canada T6N 1M9
AMSIM 2013.1 User Manual

IMPORTANT
The enclosed materials are provided to you on the express condition that you agree to the accompanying
software license agreement. By using the enclosed CD, you agree to abide by the provisions contained
within the license agreement. If you do not agree with these provisions, return all materials to DBR
Technology Center within three days from receipt, for a refund.
The licensed material (the licensed software and documentation) is licensed to you, the end-user, for your
own internal use. You do not obtain title, copyright or proprietary rights to the licensed material. You may
not transfer, sub-license, rent, lease, convey, copy, modify, translate, recompile or disassemble the licensed
software for any reason whatsoever without the express written permission of DBR Technology Center.
The licensed software is provided "as-is". All warranties and representations of any kind with regard to the
licensed material are hereby disclaimed, including the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for
a particular purpose. Under no circumstances will the manufacturer or developer of the licensed material be
liable for any consequential, incidental, special or exemplary damages even if apprised of the likelihood of
such damages occurring. Some states do not allow the limitation or exclusion of liability for incidental or
consequential damages, so the above limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.
Copyright 2014 DBR Technology Center, Schlumberger Canada Limited. All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be copied and/or distributed without the express
written consent of DBR Technology Center.
9450-17 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6N 1M9
Trademarks AMSIM is trademark of DBR Technology Center, Schlumberger Canada Limited
Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7, and Microsoft Excel are

trademarks of the Microsoft Corporation.

Contents
CONTENTS
CONTACTING US .................................................................................................................................. 1
HEAD OFFICE/ MARKETING AND SALES ............................................................................................................ 1
TECHNICAL SUPPORT ......................................................................................................................................... 1
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO AMSIM .......................................................................................... 2
NEW CAPABILITIES IN VERSION 2013.1 ............................................................................................................. 2
NEW CAPABILITIES IN VERSION 2012.1 ............................................................................................................. 3
CHAPTER 2: INSTALLATION AND SETUP ......................................................................................... 5
INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS ........................................................................................................................ 5
INSTALLING AMSIM........................................................................................................................................... 5
SECURITY TYPES ................................................................................................................................................ 6
ACCESSING ONLINE HELP ................................................................................................................................ 14
CHAPTER 3: GETTING STARTED....................................................................................................... 15
STARTING AND EXITING AMSIM ..................................................................................................................... 15
BASIC STEPS TO GENERATE AMSIM PROJECTS.............................................................................................. 16
OPENING, CREATING, AND SAVING A PROJECT.............................................................................................. 16
PROJECT SETUP................................................................................................................................................ 17
AMSIM WORKING ENVIRONMENT .................................................................................................................. 23
IMPORTING FUNCTION FOR INPUT .................................................................................................................. 30
STREAMS AND EQUIPMENT RENAMING......................................................................................................... 32
WINDOWS CLIPBOARD OPERATIONS .............................................................................................................. 33
CHAPTER 4: STREAM INPUT ............................................................................................................ 34
SOUR GAS/NGL FEEDS ..................................................................................................................................... 34
PRIMARY LEAN SOLVENT FEED TO PRECONTACTOR ....................................................................................... 36
PRIMARY LEAN SOLVENT FEED TO ABSORBER A ............................................................................................ 37
SEMI-LEAN SOLVENT FEED TO ABSORBER A ................................................................................................... 37
SECONDARY LEAN SOLVENT FEED TO ABSORBER A ....................................................................................... 38
PRIMARY LEAN SOLVENT FEED TO ABSORBER B ............................................................................................ 39
SECONDARY LEAN SOLVENT FEED TO ABSORBER B ....................................................................................... 40
SEMI-LEAN SOLVENT FEED TO ABSORBER B ................................................................................................... 40
ABSORBER A TREATED GAS/NGL TO ABSORBER B ......................................................................................... 41
RICH AMINE FEED TO REGENERATOR .............................................................................................................. 42
SEMI-LEAN SOLVENT DRAW FROM REGENERATOR........................................................................................ 43
HOT STREAM TO REGENERATOR ..................................................................................................................... 43
SOLVENT AND WATER MAKEUP...................................................................................................................... 45
FEED TO FLASH TANK....................................................................................................................................... 45
CHAPTER 5: EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS ................................................................................... 47
ABSORBER ........................................................................................................................................................ 47
REGENERATOR ................................................................................................................................................. 52
ABSORBER SOLVENT PUMP-AROUND ............................................................................................................. 53
PRECONTACTOR ............................................................................................................................................... 55
AMSIM 2013.1 User Manual 2

Contents
FLASH TANK ..................................................................................................................................................... 55

HEAT EXCHANGERS ......................................................................................................................................... 56
CHAPTER 6: PROJECT SIMULATIONS ............................................................................................. 59
FLASH CALCULATIONS ..................................................................................................................................... 59
MIXED FEED SIMULATIONS ............................................................................................................................. 60
RUNNING A PROJECT....................................................................................................................................... 61
INITIAL CALCULATIONS.................................................................................................................................... 62
CHAPTER 7: SIMULATION RESULTS................................................................................................ 64
VIEWING SIMULATION RESULTS ..................................................................................................................... 64
PLOTTING GRAPHS ........................................................................................................................................... 72
PRINTING REPORTS .......................................................................................................................................... 73
EXPORTING RESULTS TO EXCEL ....................................................................................................................... 75
APPENDIX A: AMSIM LIBRARY ....................................................................................................... 77
GAS & LIQUID COMPONENTS .......................................................................................................................... 77
SOLVENTS ........................................................................................................................................................ 78
STREAM NUMBERS AND DESCRIPTIONS ........................................................................................................ 79
HEAT EXCHANGERS ......................................................................................................................................... 81
APPENDIX B: OPERATING DATA LIMITS........................................................................................ 82
EQUILIBRIUM SOLUBILITY DATA LIMITATIONS................................................................................................ 82
APPENDIX C: AMSIM TIPS ............................................................................................................... 83
AMINE CIRCULATION RATE.............................................................................................................................. 83
REBOILER HEAT DUTY ...................................................................................................................................... 83
STAGE EFFICIENCIES ........................................................................................................................................ 83
TRAY EQUIVALENCE FOR PACKING HEIGHT ..................................................................................................... 83
APPENDIX D: EXAMPLE CASES ....................................................................................................... 84
EXAMPLE CASE 1 ............................................................................................................................................. 84
EXAMPLE CASE 2 ............................................................................................................................................. 86
EXAMPLE CASE 3 ............................................................................................................................................. 88
EXAMPLE CASE 4 ............................................................................................................................................. 91
EXAMPLE CASE 5 ............................................................................................................................................. 97
EXAMPLE CASE 6 ........................................................................................................................................... 101
APPENDIX E: ERROR MESSAGES .................................................................................................. 104
APPENDIX F: TECHNICAL BACKGROUND..................................................................................... 105

AMINE PROCESS ............................................................................................................................................ 105
WHAT IS AMSIM? .......................................................................................................................................... 106
AMSIM TECHNICAL OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................................... 107
APPENDIX G: REFERENCES ............................................................................................................ 118

Contacting us
CONTACTING US
HEAD OFFICE/ MARKETING AND SALES
DBRTechnology Center, Schlumberger Canada Limited

9450-17 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
Canada T6N 1M9
Telephone: 1-780-463-8638
Fax: 1-780-450-1668
TECHNICAL SUPPORT
Should you find yourself with a technical problem that cannot be solved using the provided user manual or
on-line help, please contact our software technical support staff at:
Telephone: 1-780-463-8638
Fax: 1-780-450-1668
E-mail: dbrsoftware@slb.com
We suggest that the following information pertaining to the problem be gathered before contacting us. In
order to identify the problem as quickly as possible please have the following documentation at hand:
If the problem is related to installing AMSIM, record:
the product serial number

the product version number
the hardware configuration of your computer
the operating system and version number
the network software being used and version number (if applicable)
the exact wording of any error messages (if applicable)
If the problem is related to running AMSIM, record:
the exact wording of any error messages (if applicable)

the input data used
what you were doing when the problem occurred
your attempt in solving the problem

Chapter1: Introduction to AMSIM
CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO AMSIM

AMSIM (AMine treating unit SIMulator) is a specialized engineering software application designed by
DBR Technology Center, a division of Schlumberger Canada Limited, to simulate the removal of acid
gases from process streams using aqueous amine solutions and physical solvents. AMSIM uses
a rigorous non- equilibrium stage model for plate columns and the rate-based model for packing
columns, as well as the Peng-Robinson equation of state to simulate the performance of contactors and
regenerators.
AMSIM is an easy to use, reliable, and accurate method for investigating alternative process
configurations or contacting solvents in gas and LPG sweetening units.
DBR Technology Center encourages you to provide us with your comments and suggestions for
additional features and improvements.
NEW CAPABILITIES IN VERSION 2013.1
New capabilities of AMSIM 2013.1 include:
1. Methanol is added as physical solvent for sour gas treating

The use of methanol as physical solvent in sour gas treating has become increasingly popular in
recent years. At low temperatures, the absorption capability of methanol for both H2S and CO2 is
very high while the viscosity of the solvent solution remains low which leads to high performance
in mass and heat transfer. These advantages of the methanol solvent give efficient treatment for
sour gas in reaching to ppm level of H2S and CO2 in the treated gas. Furthermore, the methanol
process requires less energy consumption in the process, and the solvent itself is cheap and easily
available in market. All these features make methanol an attractive solvent for sour gas treating
and CO2 capture processes.
In this version, methanol is added for sour gas treating. The thermodynamic and kinetic models
have been established based on the measurements to calculate the solubility and mass transfer
rates of H2S, CO2, and other impurities in the methanol and methanol + water solutions. A fair
agreement between the predictions and the experimental data and plant data is obtained.

NEW CAPABILITIES IN VERSION 2012.1
New capabilities of AMSIM 2012.1 include:
1. Blend solvent of MDEA, Piperazine and Sulfolane model for contaminant removal
In the past few years, it has become popular for the industry to use ternary blended solvents,
MDEA, Piperazine and Sulfolane to simultaneously remove hydrogen sulphide (H2S), carbon dioxide
(CO2), carbonyl sulphide (COS), mercaptans (RSH) and other trace contaminants from sour gas and
liquefied natural gas (LNG). Other than meeting the increasingly stringent environmental emission
regulations, the tertiary solvents have the following advantages over other blended solvents:
• All-in-one removal of H2S, CO2, COS and RSH;
• Higher removal rates for CO2, COS and RSH;
• Higher loading capacity;
• Lower energy cost in solvent recovery;
• Reduced solvent degradation.

In this version, the thermodynamic and kinetic models have been established to calculate the
solubility and mass transfer rate of H2S, CO2, COS and RSH in the hybrid MDEA + Piperazine +
Sulfolane solvents. The models have shown an excellent predictive capability.
2. The following new components have been added:

1) Cyclopentane;
2) Cyclohexane;
3) 3-Methylpentane;
4) Methylcyclohexane
5) 2,2,4-Trimethylpentane
6) P-xylene;
7) O-xylene.
8) Argon
3. Provided the flexibility for user to set different temperature inputs for primary lean
amine, secondary lean amine and semi-lean amine streams to absorbers

Chapter2: Installation and Setup
CHAPTER 2: INSTALLATION AND SETUP

Installing AMSIM is a simple process. This chapter covers everything you need to know regarding the
installation of AMSIM.
INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS
For optimum use of AMSIM, the following hardware and software are required:
• 70 MB free hard disk space

• Printer (optional)
• Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7
• Microsoft Excel
INSTALLING AMSIM
FOR NON-SCHLUMBERGER USERS
1. Insert AMSIM Installation CD into a CD-ROM drive.
2. Find setup file with .msi in the CD drive and double click it to start the installation
3. Change the default AMSIM directory if desired.
4. Follow the installation instructions on the screen.
FOR SCHLUMBERGER USERS
1. Download the setup file (AMSIM Version 2013.1.msi) using InTouch
2. Double click the setup file to start the installation
3. Change the default AMSIM directory if desired.
4. Follow the installation instructions on the screen.
After the installation process is complete, the AMSIM program group will be created. The default
installation directory is: C:\Program Files\DBR\AMSIM 2013.1
Note: If there is already a version (including demos) of AMSIM on your system, please uninstall the
existing version first. For further information on uninstalling, refer to your Microsoft Windows Help system.
Please ensure the regional language settings are English (US or Canada) otherwise some features will not
be accessible.

SECURITY TYPES
There are four security types for DBR software:
1. Local License File
2. License Manager
3. USB Key
4. Schlumberger LDAP
Any one of the first three security types can be chosen for external (non-Schlumberger) users, internal
(Schlumberger) users and computers with Windows based operating system. Schlumberger LDAP security
type is recommended only for internal (Schlumberger) users and computers connected to Schlumberger
intranet.
Users should select the right security type in the program according to the license type issued by DBR. There
are two ways to change the program security type setting.
Method 1:
1. Start the program. If the program cannot find a valid security, then the program will ask you to
change the security method. Click the “Change Security Method” button to bring up “Select
Security Type” Window.
Method 2:
1. Launch the software program
2. Click Help from the main menu
3. Select About DBR Software
4. Click the button Change Security Type
LOCAL LICENSE FILE

The local license file security type is applicable only for standalone computer. This security method can be
used by following the steps given below.
1. Provide MAC address of the user’s computer to DBR to obtain a license file (License.LEF). The MAC
address allows the programming of license file.
2. Upon reception of the license file, copy and paste the license file on the computer. Remember the
path or directory in which the license file is placed.
3. Launch the software program by double-clicking the AMSIM icon on the desktop or go to
Start>Programs>DBR>AMSIM 2013.1.
4. Bring up Select Security Type window using one the two methods mentioned above.

5. Select Local License File – StandAlone in the Select Security Type window.
6. In the Local License File field, click Browse to locate the path or directory, where the license file is
placed.
7. Click OK to activate the license. The license will be effective after closing the current AMSIM
program and by reopening a new program.
Tip: If the field below the “Browse” button is empty, the license has not been activated. If the field gives a
description of the software program and expiration date, the license was successfully activated.
Select
Click Browse and locate the

file license.LEF
License successfully activated
Select Security Type Window – Local License File Security Type

LICENSE MANAGER
License Manager (LM) Security type can be used for both single and network licenses. However, it is
primarily used for managing network licenses. This security type is managed by License Manager Monitor
program.
LICENSE MANAGER MONITOR 6.0
1. Request a copy of two executable files (DBRLicenseManagerServiceMonitor.exe and

DBRLicenseManagerService.exe) and a license file (License.LEF) from DBR.
2. Place both the executable files at a preferred location in the single user’s or server computer. Note
that both files should be in the same folder.
3. DBRLicenseManagerServiceMonitor.exe is a single program file. It can be run directly and no
installation needed. Double click the executable file DBRLicenseManagerServiceMonitor.exe to run
the License Manager Monitor. DBR License Manager Monitor window will appear on the desktop
after installation.
4. Click Setup from the main menu in the DBR License Manager Monitor Window. Select “Install DBR
License Manager Service”. This will install DBR License Manager.
5. Click Setup from the main menu in the DBR License Manager Monitor Window. Select “Start DBR
License Manager Service”. Locate the path of license file (License.LEF) provided by DBR. A
complete list of all DBR software products will be displayed with expiry date or access permission
for each product.
TO STOP THE LICENSE MANAGER SERVICE

Click Setup from the main menu in the DBR License Manager Monitor Window and select Stop DBR License
Manager Service.
TO UPDATE THE LICENSE FILE

Click Setup from the main menu in the DBR License Manager Monitor Window and select Update License
File and locate the new or update license file.

DBR License Manager Monitor Window
Single User License

1. Install License Manager Monitor 6.0 and start DBR License Manager Service as described in the
previous section.
2. Install AMSIM software program. Launch the software program by double-clicking the AMSIM icon
on the desktop or go to Start > Programs > DBR > AMSIM 2013.1.
3. Bring up select Security Type window using one of the two methods mentioned previously.
4. Select License Manager – StandAlone/Network and click OK.
5. Close the AMSIM program and launch the software again. The license will be effective after
closing the current AMSIM program and by reopening a new program.
6. Enter “localhost” in the prompted window and click Logon.

Select
Select Security Type Window – License Manager Security Type
Prompted Window to Enter the Server Computer Name
Network User License

1. Install License Manager Monitor 6.0 on the server computer and start DBR License Manager
Service as described in the previous section.
2. Install AMSIM program in the end user’s computer. Launch the software program by double-
clicking the AMSIM icon on the desktop or go to Start > Programs > DBR > AMSIM 2013.1
3. Access Select Security Type window and choose the option License Manager –
StandAlone/Network.
4. Close the AMSIM program and launch the software again.
5. Enter the server computer name or its IP address in the prompted window to connect the end-user’s
computer with server computer.

USB KEY
Both single user and network licenses can use the USB Key security type. For every purchase, a security key
is provided together with the Sentinel System Driver program. The security key must remain connected to a
USB port of the single user computer or of the server (for network version) while DBR software is operating.
For single user license, please note that the sentinel system driver should be installed on the user’s
computer. For network license users, please note that the sentinel system driver should be installed on
server computer and all remote terminals.
The installation procedure for Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/Vista/ Windows 7 is described below.
1. Insert the DBR software Installation CD into the CD-ROM drive.

2. Open the Sentinel System Driver folder using Windows Explorer.
3. Click Sentinel Protection Installer 7.6.3.exe to install the sentinel driver.
For single user license, the user should select USB Key – StandAlone/Network from the Select Security Type
window. The License Server field is left blank. For Network license, the user should select USB Key –
StandAlone/Network from the Select Security Type window and provide the server computer name or IP
address where the USB Key is plugged.

Select
Select Security Type Window – USB Key Security Type

SCHLUMBERGER LDAP
This security type is applicable only for Schlumberger employees. First, the user should purchase the license
from SWPS (http://www.swps.slb.com) and provide the end-user’s LDAP information along with the
purchase order (PO). Once the license is approved by their Direct Manager, DBR would receive the request
and the license will be activated. In this case, the user should select Schlumberger LDAP - Network from the
Select Security Type window after launching the DBR software program.
Select
Select Security Type Window – Schlumberger LDAP Security Type

ACCESSING ONLINE HELP

You can access the online help from the AMSIM 2013.1 help system:
From the Help menu, select Contents or Index.

From the AMSIM toolbar, click Help for Current Screen.
From within a dialog, click the Help button.

Chap3: Getting Started
CHAPTER 3: GETTING STARTED

Although users may enter input data for their AMSIM projects in any order, information presented in this
chapter outlines a logical flow for the input. AMSIM utilizes four different “Display Modes” to keep track of
the various stages or input, calculation, or output being accessed. These display modes will be described in
more detail in this chapter.
STARTING AND EXITING AMSIM
TO START AMSIM 2013.1

1. Select AMSIM from Program in the Start menu of the Windows Taskbar, or double click on
c:\program files\amsim\amsim.exe or something similar in Windows Explorer.
An introductory screen followed by the welcome window appears.
AMSIM Welcome Window
2. In the welcome window, click to open a new project, the last project, or an existing project.
3. Then click OK.
Note: The security key must be attached to the USB port of the user’s computer (for PC standalone
version) or the server (for network version) when running the program.

TO EXIT AMSIM 2013.1

Do one of the following:
Select Exit from the File menu.

Click on the Close Box on the AMSIM title bar.
Right-click on the AMSIM title bar and select Close.
BASIC STEPS TO GENERATE AMSIM PROJECTS

Enter the project setup information.
Customize the flowsheet in “Edit Flowsheet” mode.
Enter stream and equipment operating data in “Enter Data” mode.
Optional: Perform initial calculations; adjust design parameters in “Modify Init. Values” mode.
Run the case.
View, print, and plot simulation results in “Display Output”mode.
OPENING, CREATING, AND SAVING A PROJECT
TO OPEN OR CREATE AND SAVE A PROJECT

Select the appropriate option (“open” or ”create”) in the welcome dialog.

Select the corresponding items (“Open”,” New” to create, “Save”) from the File menu on the
AMSIM menu bar.
Click on the appropriate buttons on the AMSIM toolbar
: To Create : To Open : To Save
AMSIM project files are automatically assigned the ‘.apj’ (AMSIM project) file extension
PROJECT SETUP
When a new file is created, the Project Setup dialog appears. Users may enter a project description and
select solvent types, flowsheet, components, and units from this dialog. You may also activate the Project
Setup dialog any time you are running AMSIM.
TO ACTIVATE THE PROJECT SETUP DIALOG

Click on the Project Setup button on the toolbar.

Select Project then Setup from the menu bar.
Double-click anywhere on the Setup Info/Options yellow area on the right bottom of the screen.

There are three tabs in the Project Setup dialog: General Information, Component Selection and
Options.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The General information tab has two sections: the Solvent and Model selection and Flowsheet and Feed Selection
Project Setup: General Information
MODEL SELECTION
Users can select:
• the Kent-Eisenberg Model

• the Li-Mather Electrolyte Model
• the Physical Solvent Model
SOLVENT SELECTION
Users can select:
• Single Amine (Amongst MEA, DEA,TEA, MDEA,DIGA,DIPA)

• Blended Amines (Amongst MEA, DEA,TEA, MDEA,DIGA,DIPA)

• Activated Amine (MDEA + PZ)
• Sterically Hindered Amines (Amongst AMP, MEA+AMP, DEA+AMP)
• Amine with Physical Solvent (Sulfolane) (Amongst MDEA+TMS and DIPA +TMS)
• MDEA + Piperazine + Sulfolane
FLOWSHEET SELECTION
In AMSIM, there are six pre-defined flowsheets for amine systems and four for DEPG system.
Flowsheet 1: Flash Tank
Flowsheet 2: Single Absorber
Flowsheet 3: Single Regenerator
Flowsheet 4: Absorber and Regenerator
Flowsheet 5: Two Absorbers (DEPG excluded)
Flowsheet 6: Two Absorbers and Regenerator (DEPG excluded)
After setting up a project, users may specify different options for each flowsheet in “Edit Flowsheet”
mode.

FEED SELECTION
AMSIM can model both vapor and liquid input streams to the absorber. In the Feed Selection section, users
may select:
• Sour Gas
• Liquid Hydrocarbon
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Users may enter the title or name of the project.
COMPONENT SELECTION
Select components for your project in the Component Selection tab. The AMSIM library contains the
properties of components typically encountered in the gas treating industry. Excluding solvents, there are 39
components available in the AMSIM component library. The complete list of these components is available
in Appendix A. Please note that the components selectable for the chemical solvent and physical solvent
processes are different.
The default components used for new projects are H2S, CO2, water, and the solvent selected in the General
Information tab. Use the four buttons between the Source Components box and the Selected
Components box to assign components to your project.
Project Setup: Component Selection

To add a component into your AMSIM project:
Click on the target component in the Available Components box and click on the > button.
To remove a component from your AMSIM project:
Click on the target component in the Available Components box and click on the < button.
To include all available components into your AMSIM project:
Click on the >> button.
To remove all selected components from your AMSIM project:
Click on the << button.
Note: Water, one solvent, and one acid gas must be selected in order to execute an AMSIM
simulation. NH3, SO2 and C6H6 are available for physical solvent simulations only.
PROJECT OPTIONS
AMSIM uses a number of tolerances for convergence criteria. These values are typical for chemical
engineering simulations and generally do not require adjustments. However, for those users who wish to
evaluate different values, this can be accomplished in project options.
TO SPECIFY PROJECT OPTIONS
Click Options tab from the Project Setup window. The project options dialog appears.

Project Options
CALCULATION OPTIONS
In this dialog, the program may help users calculate the following:
• Program Calculates Absorber Efficiency

• Program Calculates Regenerator Efficiency
When these items are selected or checked (default), AMSIM calculates the stage efficiencies of H2S and
CO2 for the column. Otherwise, AMSIM will use the user-specified stage efficiencies to perform simulations.
MAXIMUM ITERATION LIMIT
When the calculation error is larger than the convergence tolerance when this iteration limit is reached, the
simulation will report a failure. The iteration limit can be specified for the Absorber, Regenerator and
Flowsheet.
CONVERGENCE TOLERANCE
These parameters are used in conjunction with the maximum iteration limit. The tolerances can be specified
for the Absorber, Regenerator, Flowsheet, and (Tray) Efficiency.

UNIT SELECTION
Users can enter data and display calculation results in either System International (SI) or Engineering Units
by selecting the desired type of units in the Unit Selection section. This selection can be changed at any
time and AMSIM will automatically convert all data to the new set of units.
AMSIM WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The following window or something similar appears after you open an AMSIM project. There are three Main
areas in the AMSIM working environment:
Set up
Information
Area
Process Flow Sheet Area
The AMSIM Application Window
PROCESS FLOWSHEET AREA

The largest and main area in this dialog is the Process Flowsheet Area. Hotspots in the Process Flowsheet
Area allow users to view and edit the data quickly.

SETUP INFORMATION AREA

The area to the right of the flowsheet is the Setup Information Area. Users can view the setup of their
current project. To turn off the Setup Information area, simply deselect it from the View menu.
DISPLAY MODES BAR

The area to the left of the flowsheet is the Display Modes selection bar. It navigates users to each of the
display mode of the process flowsheet.
Display mode bar
Tip: You can adjust the size of each area by pointing the mouse pointer at the pane separator and when the
pointer changes to a split bar, drag the mouse to the desired location.
DISPLAY MODES
AMSIM utilizes four different display modes for program execution. The current display mode can be seen
on the button bar to the left of the flowsheet. AMSIM also utilizes different color schemes to designate
these different display modes. Shown in the following is the legend for these display modes.

Display Modes Legend
This legend appears every time you start AMSIM. Once you are familiar with the color schemes for each
display mode, you can check off the Do not show this dialog when AMSIM Starts up box in the Legend
dialog.
EDIT FLOWSHEET MODE

The “Edit Flowsheet” mode allows you to add or delete streams or pieces of equipment in the selected
flowsheet. The areas outlined in red indicate where streams or pieces of equipment can be added or deleted
from the flowsheet.

Edit Flowsheet Mode
For the above flowsheet, for example, the Precontactor, the Pumparound, the Secondary Lean Amine
Stream, the Semi-Lean Amine Stream, and the Flash Tank can be deleted or added on to the flowsheet.
TO REMOVE AN ITEM
1. Simply click on any item outlined with a red box. A confirmation dialog appears.
2. Click on OK to remove the component or Cancel to cancel the action.
TO ADD AN ITEM
1. The red box remains visible even though the item has been removed from the flowsheet. Click on
the box. A confirmation dialog appears.
2. Click OK to restore the original component to the flowsheet.

ENTER DATA MODE

'Enter Data' mode is used to specify stream compositions and operating conditions for equipment and
process streams. To enter data, click on a hotspot. Stream hotspots are colored red and equipment hotspots
are colored brown in 'Enter Data Mode'. Clicking on a hotspot activates the corresponding data entry dialog
where the input data can be entered. Once the required data are entered, both types of hotspots (the
process line and equipment) change to green.
Enter Data Mode
MODIFY INIT. VALUES MODE

When the flowsheet is in 'Modify Init. Values' (Modify Initialized Values) mode, users can view and adjust
some of design parameters in order to aid in flowsheet convergence or to examine their plant data. Hot
spots are indicated in blue in 'Modify Init. Values' mode. To view and edit the parameters, simply click on
the desired column. See Chapter 6 for further information on the modify function.

Modify Init. Values Mode
DISPLAY OUTPUT MODE

The ‘Display Output’ mode is used to view the results of a converged simulation. The hotspots in this mode
are indicated in gold. Simply click on a stream or a piece of equipment to see the simulated results
associated with the item. For more information about displaying output results, please refer to Chapter 7.
Display Output Mode
Note: If the simulation is unsuccessful (did not converge), AMSIM will not allow viewing in
'DisplayOutput' mode.

UNITS
AMSIM allows users to enter data in either Engineering or SI units. Users can switch between the two sets
of units as desired. All appropriate data entry dialogs have selection buttons at the bottom to allow users to
switch between the system of units. AMSIM automatically converts all previously entered values to the
corresponding value in the new system of units.
The following figure shows the input dialog for Precontactor. The unit selection buttons are at the bottom of
the dialog.
Precontactor Input Dialog: English Units
When users click on the SI Units button, unit conversion results are displayed instantly.
Precontactor Input Dialog: SI Units

The following table lists the units used in the Engineering and SI units for each property.
Property Engineering Unit S.I Unit

Temperature ºF ºC
Pressure psia kPa
Mole lb-mol Kmol
Mass lb kg
Volume ft³ m³
Density lb/ft³ Kg/m³
Enthalpy MMBTU/h kW
Heat Capacity BTU/lb-º F kJ/kg-º C
Heat Duty MMBTU/h kW
Volumetric Flow Rate US gpm m³/h
MMSCFD m³/h
Absolute Viscosity cP MPa-s
Thermal Conductivity BTU/h-ft-º F W/m-º C
Time Hour Hour
IMPORTING FUNCTION FOR INPUT

This feature allows users to import a stream or equipment input from another AMSIM project. It has few
advantages. Besides not having to retype a similar set of inputs for a stream or a piece of equipment, it
allows users to reduce convergence problems. How? Separate a more complex flowsheet into several
simpler ones. Converge the simpler flowsheets first, and then work on the complex one by importing all the
relevant streams and equipment from the converged flowsheets.
TO IMPORT INPUTS OF A STREAM OR A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT
1. Switch to “Enter Data” Mode and click on the Import button from the input dialog

An import dialog appears:
2. Use the Browse button to select the AMSIM project from which the inputs are imported. A list of
streams or equipment appears.
3. Select a stream or a piece of equipment from the list.
4. Click Import Data Now.

STREAMS AND EQUIPMENT RENAMING

This is a new feature in this version. Users may rename all the streams and equipment in AMSIM. This
feature adds a personal touch to each of the project.
TO RENAME A STREAM OF A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT

1. Select Editing equipment and stream names… from the Project menu on the menu bar.
A dialog box appears:
Stream/Equipment Renaming Dialog
2. Select the appropriate tab: Equipment or Streams.

3. Click on the corresponding cell under the User-Defined Name column.
4. Enter the desired name for the equipment (or stream) as necessary.

WINDOWS CLIPBOARD OPERATIONS

This feature allows users to perform all of the standard windows clipboard operations such as Cut, Copy,
Paste, Delete, Copy All, and Select All.
TO PERFORM A WINDOWS CLIPBOARD OPERATION

1. Right-click on the data and select the appropriate operation.

Chap 4: Stream Input
CHAPTER 4: STREAM INPUT

Users need to supply input for hotspot streams only. Data input is performed in 'Enter Data' mode. Hotspot
streams in 'Enter Data' mode are colored red. A label for each stream is also displayed when the mouse
pointer is moved over the stream.
TO ENTER INPUT DATA FOR PROCESS STREAMS
1. Click on a process stream on the flowsheet in “Enter Data” Mode. This activates an input dialog.
2. Enter the required data in the dialog.
3. Click OK to exit the input dialog.
The multistage-unit solution procedure used in AMSIM requires that all feeds to a contactor (precontactor,
absorber, or regenerator) be completely specified. AMSIM has default values for all required data, but users
may change these values to those that are representative of their own case.
For cases where individual unit modules are studied as stand-alone equipment, all feed stream
specifications represent true specifications. However, in cases where the flowsheet involves material
transfer between two contacting devices, some of the feed specifications represent only initial estimates.
For example, in a single absorber or single regenerator, feeds to these units are specified and remain
unchanged throughout the process simulation. For cases where an absorber is coupled to a regenerator, the
lean amine composition is a calculated result. Similarly, the rich amine composition is a calculated result.
Only initial estimates of these compositions are required to start the flowsheet calculation.
SOUR GAS/NGL FEEDS

AMSIM simulates either Gas or Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) treating. Users must select either a Gas or NGL
treating process under the Feed Selection field in the Project Setup dialog. The data input dialog is the same
in either case.
Activate the Sour Gas/NGL Feed input dialog by clicking on the feed stream to Precontactor or Absorber A.
When Absorber B is chosen for the flowsheet and the External Sour Gas/NGL feed is selected, users must
specify the information for the Secondary Sour Gas/Liquid Feed (Absorber B).
SOUR GAS/NGL FEED TO ABSORBER A OR PRECONTACTOR

There are two possible hotspots for activating the Gas Feed/Liquid Feed input dialog. When the precontactor
is selected in “Edit Flowsheet” mode, click on the stream to the left of the precontactor in “Enter Data”
mode. Otherwise, click on the stream on the bottom left corner of Absorber A. The feed stage location of
this stream will always be the bottom tray.

Gas Feed to Precontactor Dialog
The following information is the required input data for the sour gas/NGL feed.
PRESSURE
Enter the pressure of the sour gas/liquid feed stream.
TEMPERATURE
Enter the temperature of the sour gas/liquid feed stream.
FLOW RATE INPUT TYPE

Select “Component Molar Flow Rates” or “Volumetric Flow Rate and Mole Fraction”. Provide the
molar flow rate for each component if 'Component Molar Flow Rates' is selected. Enter the total volumetric
flow rate and component mole fractions if 'Volumetric Flow Rate and Mole Fraction' is selected.
SECONDARY SOUR GAS/NGL FEED (ABSORBER B)

When Absorber B and an External Sour Gas/Liquid Feed are selected for a flowsheet, users must also
specify the Secondary Sour Gas/Liquid Feed. This is accomplished by clicking on the appropriate stream
hotspot. The data input dialog is the same as that of the Sour Gas/Liquid Feed.

PRIMARY LEAN SOLVENT FEED TO PRECONTACTOR
TO SPECIFY THE LEAN SOLVENT TO PRECONTACTOR
1. Click on the stream going into the top of the precontactor while in 'Enter Data' mode. The Lean Solvent
Feed To Precontactor dialog appears.
Lean Solvent Feed to Precontactor Dialog
2. Enter the temperature, flow rate, and compositions of the stream as required. AMSIM will automatically
initialize the pressure of this stream to the precontactor pressure.
There are two methods to specify the stream flow rate and compositions:
Component Molar Flow Rates
Volumetric Flow Rate and Weight % Solvent
If Component Molar Flow Rate is selected, users must enter the molar flow rate for each component in that
stream. If Volumetric Flow Rate and Weight % Solvent is selected, users must specify the volumetric flow
rate of the amine stream, the weight percent of solvent in the stream, and residual acid gas loadings of H2S
and CO2. Specify acid gas loadings by choosing a loading type (in Moles or in Grains).

PRIMARY LEAN SOLVENT FEED TO ABSORBER A

The input dialog presented will depend on whether a precontactor was chosen in the flowsheet. When a
precontactor is not included in the flowsheet, the input dialog will be the same as the Primary Lean Solvent
Feed to Precontactor dialog. Otherwise, only the mole flow rate of the solvent stream is required as input.
TO ENTER THE SPECIFICATIONS FOR THE PRIMARY LEAN SOLVENT TO

ABSORBER A
1. Click on the very top stream hotspot on the Absorber A while in “Enter Data” mode. The Primary Lean
Amine Feed To Absorber A dialog appears.
Lean Solvent Feed to Absorber A Dialog
2. Select an input type and enter flow rate in the Flow Rate box.
3. Use default temperature or enter temperature in the Temperature box.
SEMI-LEAN SOLVENT FEED TO ABSORBER A
The input dialog for Semi-Lean Solvent Feed to Absorber A is essentially the same as the Primary Lean
Solvent Feed to Precontactor dialog except for the feed stage (for plate column) or section (for packing
column) location specification.

Semi-Lean Solvent Feed to Absorber A Dialog
SECONDARY LEAN SOLVENT FEED TO ABSORBER A

To enter the data for a secondary lean solvent feed to Absorber A, click on the second stream from the top
right side of Absorber A while in “Enter Data” mode. The Secondary Lean Solvent Feed to Absorber A data
input dialog will appear.
Secondary Lean Solvent Feed to Absorber A Dialog
Note: The pressure of this stream will be initialized to the pressure of the feed stage/section.

The input data required for this stream are summarized as followed.
FEED STAGE/SECTION
This is the stage (for plate column) or section (for packing column) where the secondary lean solvent is fed
to the absorber. The feed stage/section location for the secondary lean amine must be above the location of
Semi-Lean Solvent Feed to Absorber A.
Note: If the user enters a Secondary Lean Solvent location below that of the Semi-Lean stream,
AMSIM will automatically adjust the location of the Secondary Lean Solvent so that it is fed to the
absorber above the Semi-Lean Solvent stream.
FEED FLOW RATE

The molar or volumetric flow rate of the secondary lean solvent stream depending on which input type is
selected.
TEMPERATURE
The temperature of the secondary lean solvent stream is set with a default value. Users can also set a
different temperature in the Temperature box after checking off the box before “Use Identical
Temperature”.
PRIMARY LEAN SOLVENT FEED TO ABSORBER B
The required input is the molar or volumetric flow rate of the stream. Users can also set a temperature for
this stream.
TO ENTER DATA FOR THIS STREAM
1. Click on the stream hotspot while in “Enter Data” mode. The Lean Amine Feed to Absorber B dialog
appears.

Lean Amine Feed to Absorber B Dialog
2. Select the flow rate type and enter the flow rate for the stream.
3. If users want to set a temperature different from the default value, first check off the box before
“Use Identical Temperature” and then enter the temperature in the Temperature box.
SECONDARY LEAN SOLVENT FEED TO ABSORBER B

The input dialog for Secondary Lean Solvent Feed to Absorber B is identical to the Secondary Lean Solvent
Feed to Absorber A dialog.
Secondary Lean Solvent Feed to Absorber B Dialog
SEMI-LEAN SOLVENT FEED TO ABSORBER B

The Semi-Lean Solvent Feed to Absorber B stream is the third stream from the top on the left side of
Absorber B in the flowsheet. The input dialog for this stream varies according to the selection of Semi-Lean
Solvent to Absorber A.

When a Semi-Lean Solvent to Absorber A is selected, the solvent composition information is specified in the
Semi-Lean Solvent Feed to Absorber A dialog. Therefore, only the feed stage/section location and flow rate
of the solvent stream for Absorber B are required. The input dialog will be identical to the Secondary Lean
Solvent Feed to Absorber A dialog.
When a Semi-Lean Solvent to Absorber A is not selected, specification will be required for all stream
variables. The input dialog will be identical to the Semi-Lean Solvent Feed to Absorber A dialog.
ABSORBER A TREATED GAS/NGL TO ABSORBER B
Absorber A Treated Gas/NGL to Absorber B Dialog
Gas/NGL to Absorber B
When Absorber A and Absorber B are cascaded (in series), users must specify the mole fraction of the
treated gas or NGL from Absorber A to Absorber B. This value must be between 0 and 1.
Note: An input value of 0 means that the absorbers are running in parallel.

RICH AMINE FEED TO REGENERATOR

The Rich AMINE Feed to Regenerator Stream is located in the upper left corner of the Regenerator. The
input dialog for this stream varies according to the flowsheet selection in project setup.
If flowsheet other than Flowsheet 3 & 6 (Single Regenerator) was selected, the following input dialog
appears. Only the feed stage/section location and pressure are required.
Rich Solvent to Regenerator Dialog 1
If Flowsheet 3 (Single Regenerator) was selected, a different input dialog will be used for the Rich Solvent
Feed to Regenerator stream. This dialog is very similar to the Primary Lean Solvent Feed to Precontactor
dialog, except for the feed stage/section location and pressure specifications.
Rich Solvent Feed to Regenerator Dialog 2

SEMI-LEAN SOLVENT DRAW FROM REGENERATOR

The semi-lean solvent draw from regenerator stream is the second stream from the top of the
Regenerator. To obtain a semi-lean stream, Enter “Edit flowsheet” mode and create 2 streams in the
second top section (secondary lean amine feed to absorber) and mid section of the absorber (semi-
lean amines feed to the absorber). Click on “Enter Data” and select the stream automatically created in
the mid-section of the regenerator (Regenerator semi-lean amine draw)
TO ENTER DATA FOR THIS STREAM

1. Click on the stream while in “Enter Data” mode. The Semi-Lean Solvent Draw from Regenerator dialog
appears.
Semi-Lean Solvent Draw from Regenerator Dialog
2. Specify the stage/section location (in the regenerator) from which the semi-lean solvent is drawn.
3. Enter the draw rate of the solvent, whenever is required.
HOT STREAM TO REGENERATOR

This new stream extends the heat supply selections for the regeneration of regenerators. It is entirely user
defined. It is available for both chemical and physical solvent simulations. The hot stream to generator is
available in flowsheet 3, 4 & 6.
TO ENTER DATA FOR THE HOT STREAM FEED TO REGENERATOR
1. Click on “Enter Data” mode.

2. Double-click on the regenerator.
3. Select “hot stream” in the heat supply selection and click “Ok”
4. The stream is automatically updated in the flowsheet.
5. Double-click on the stream at the bottom of the regenerator to enter data.
6. The hot stream Feed to generator windows dialog box appears

Hot Stream Feed to Regenerator Dialog
7. Enter the desired pressure and temperature.

8. To specify the stream composition, select either Component Molar Flow Rate or Volumetric
Flow Rate and Mole Fraction.
9. If select Component Molar Flow Rate, enter the appropriate flow rates for each component.
10. If select Volumetric Flow Rate and Mole Fraction, enter the total volumetric flow rate and the
mole fraction for each component.
11. Click OK to exit the dialog.
Note:
i. You need to include the components of your desired hot stream in the Component Selection
tab of the Project Setup dialog.
ii. You may use a previously defined hot stream from another AMSIM project by clicking on the
Import…button.

SOLVENT AND WATER MAKEUP

The solvent and water makeup stream is located on the top left side of the regenerator. Click on the
hotspot while in ‘Enter Data’ mode. The Solvent and Water Makeup Temperature dialog appears.
Solvent and
Water Make-up
Solvent and Water Makeup Temperature Data Input Dialog
The only required operating condition for this stream is the makeup temperature.
FEED TO FLASH TANK

This is a new input function that allows users to enter the actual feed temperature and pressure. It is
provided to simulate the presence of a heat exchanger upstream of the flash tank.

Feed to Flash
Tank
TO ENTER TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE OF A FEED TO A FLASH TANK
1. Click on the hotspot of the feed entering the flash tank while in ‘Enter Data’ mode. The Flash Tank
Feed Stream dialog appears.
Flash Tank Feed Stream Dialog
2. Check on the Input Temperature box. The temperature edit box appears.
3. Enter the desired temperature.
4. Check on the Input Pressure box. The pressure edit box appears.
5. Enter the desired pressure.

Chap 5: Equipment Specifications
CHAPTER 5: EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS

There are operating conditions for equipment that must be specified in an AMSIM project. Information such
as top tray pressure, number of stages in a column, and the number of heat exchangers in a column are all
input parameters that are essential to running an AMSIM case.
TO ENTER INPUT DATA FOR EQUIPMENT
1. Click on an equipment hotspot on the flowsheet in 'Enter Data' mode. This activates an input
dialog.
2. Enter the required data in the dialog.
3. Click OK to exit the input dialog.
ABSORBER
The data input dialogs for Absorber A and Absorber B are identical. An example of the input dialog is shown
below.
TO ENTER THE OPERATING CONDITIONS FOR AN ABSORBER
1. Click on the absorber hotspot while in ‘Enter Data’ mode. The Absorber data input dialog appears.
There are three tabs in the dialog.

Absorber Data Input Dialog for Tray Column
2. In the Column Info. tab, select column type first.
For tray column, enter the number of actual stages, select tray type, enter tray spacing as well as the
percentage of flooding velocity and select the flow pattern. If sieve tray is selected, provide the hole
diameter and the fractional hole area.
Multipass Trays

Absorber Data Input Dialog for Packing Column
For packing column, you need to enter the bed number (up to 10), the section number for each bed (up to12),
check on/off the option for the calculation of bed diameters. If diameter is to be calculated, you need to
specify the percentage of flooding velocity.
1) Click on the Sections tab to specify section height, section diameter (estimation only if the diameter
calculation option is checked on), and space above and below each section. You can leave the inputs
for space as default values (zeros), because they only decide your column height and will not affect the
simulation results.
2) Click on the Packing Info tab to specify the packing type, packing material and packing size for each
packing section.
3) Click on the Pressure Drop tab to specify the pressure drop for the space above and below each
section. You can only type in the data for section 1.
4) Click on the Use First Row Data for All button to apply the first section data to all the other
sections.

3. In the Operation Data tab, enter the top and bottom tray pressure, as well as the number of side
heat exchangers (up to five for an absorber) and their specifications.
Absorber: Operation Data

4. Provide the overall heat transfer coefficient for all relevant heat exchangers in the Related Heat
Exchangers tab.
Absorber: Related Heat Exchangers
Note:
i. Users may specify up to 60 stages for plate columns. Stages are numbered from the top
down. Stage 1 is the top stage of the absorber.
ii. The bottom tray pressure must be larger than the top tray pressure. If the value specified
does not satisfy this condition, AMSIM will prompt for data correction.
iii. See Side Heat Exchangers for detailed information on side heat exchangers.
iv. The entire absorber input can be imported from an absorber in another AMSIM project.
See Input Importing Function.

REGENERATOR
TO ENTER INPUT DATA FOR THE REGENERATOR
1. Click on the regenerator hotspot while in ‘Enter Data’ mode. The Regenerator input dialog
appears.
Regenerator Data Input Dialog
2. All the inputs required for regenerator are the same as those of absorber except for those in the
Operation Data tab.
3. In Operation Data, select a heat supply option for regeneration: Reboiler or Hot Stream. If
Reboiler is selected as the heat supply, enter the reboiler pressure, and heat duty (should always
be >0) when reflux ratio is to be calculated, or enter reflux ratio when heat duty is to be calculated.
Reboiler pressure is also the bottom tray pressure of the regenerator. If Hot Stream is selected,
provide all required inputs in the Hot Stream dialog after you exit the Regenerator dialog.

Note:
i. A value between 3 and 60 should be entered for Number of Actual Stages for plate column.
Stages are numbered from the top down. Stage 1 is the overhead reflux accumulator. Stage
2 is the top tray in the regenerator. The bottom stage is the reboiler if it is selected as the
heat supply.
ii. The entire regenerator input can be imported from a regenerator in another AMSIM project.
See Importing Function.
Reboiler: Operation Data
ABSORBER SOLVENT PUMP-AROUND

Enter data for the solvent pump by clicking on the hotspot in the flowsheet while in ‘Enter Data’ mode. The
Absorber Solvent Pump Around dialog appears.

Absorber A Solvent Pump Around Input Dialog
The data input dialogs for Absorber A and Absorber B are identical. The information required for the solvent
pump specifications are as follows:
Draw Stage/Section Location

Feed Stage/Section Location
Solvent Temperature
Solvent Flow Rate and Compositions
Note: The Feed Stage/Section Location must be above the Draw Stage/Section Location (or larger
stage/section number for the draw stage/section location).
SOLVENT FLOW RATE AND COMPOSITIONS

1. Click to select an input type for specifying solvent compositions.
2. If you select Component Mole Flow Rates:
3. Enter the molar flow rates for all components.
4. If you select Volumetric Flow Rate and Weight % Solvent:

Provide the volumetric flow rate and weight percent of the solvent as well as the residual acid gas
loadings. Residual Acid Gas Loading is the acid gas composition in the stream. Click to select an acid
gas loading type: Mole or Grain. Enter H2S and CO2 loadings.
PRECONTACTOR
TO ENTER PRECONTACTOR OPERATING CONDITIONS
1. Click on the precontactor while in ‘Enter Data’ mode. The Precontactor input dialog appears.
Precontactor Input Dialog
2. Enter the operating pressure and overall heat transfer coefficient for the precontactor.
FLASH TANK
There are new process configuration options available for flash tanks from Version 2011.1. They are:
i. Select up to four flash tanks downstream of the absorber (for Flowsheet 2). Also, flashed gas/NGL
and/or liquid can be recycled to absorber. In the previous version, these two options were available
to flowsheets 2 and 4 of physical solvent processes only.
ii. Add a flash tank onto the feed entering the regenerator in Flowsheets 4 and 6.
If a flowsheet other than Flowsheet 1 is selected in Project Setup, the flash tank dialog is shown as
followed:
Flash Tank Input Dialog

Enter the flash tank pressure only. If more than one flash tank is selected, the pressures of the flash tanks
must be in descending order. For example, 100 psia for the first flash tank, 90 psia for the second, 80 psia
for the third, and 70 psia for the fourth.
Note: Please note that Flowsheet 1 is used for flash calculations. See Chapter 6 on the flash calculation
feature.
HEAT EXCHANGERS
Users are now allowed to specify their own overall heat-transfer coefficients for all of the heat exchangers.
Shown in Appendix A is the complete list of heat exchangers used in AMSIM.
They are categorized into Real Heat Exchangers and Side (or Conceptual) Heat Exchangers.
REAL HEAT EXCHANGER
Overhead Condenser
Reboiler
Absorber A/B Primary Lean Solvent Cooler
Absorber A/B Secondary Lean Solvent Cooler
Absorber A/B Semi-Lean Solvent Cooler
Absorber A/B Pumparound Cooler
Lean/Rich Solvent Heat Exchanger
Semi-Lean/Rich Solvent Heat Exchanger
Overhead Condenser and Reboiler are specified in the Regenerator dialogs. All absorber A/B Coolers are
specified in the Absorber input dialogs, under the Related Heat Exchangers tab.
The solvent heat exchangers have their own input dialogs that are activated via hotspots.
LEAN SOLVENT / RICH SOLVENT HEAT EXCHANGER

The Lean/Rich Solvent Heat Exchanger is located to the bottom left of the regenerator. The input
requirements are identical to that of the Semi-Lean Amine/Rich Amine Heat Exchanger.
TO ENTER DATA FOR THE HEAT EXCHANGER
1. Click on the heat exchanger hotspot while in ‘Enter Data’ mode. The Lean/Rich Solvent Heat
Exchanger input dialog appears.

Lean Solvent/Rich Solvent Heat Exchanger Dialog
2. Enter the minimum temperature approach for the Lean/Rich Solvent Heat Exchanger. The
minimum temperature approach is the temperature difference between hot and cold streams.
3. Enter the overall heat transfer coefficient for the heat exchanger.
SEMI-LEAN SOLVENT/RICH SOLVENT HEAT EXCHANGER

The Semi-Lean/Rich Solvent Heat Exchanger is located to the left of the regenerator, halfway up the column.
TO ENTER DATA FOR THE HEAT EXCHANGER
1. Click on the heat exchanger hotspot while in ‘Enter Data’ mode. The Semi-Lean/Rich Solvent
Heat Exchanger input dialog appears.
Semi-Lean/Rich Solvent Heat Exchanger Dialog
2. Enter the minimum temperature approach for the Semi-Lean/Rich Solvent Heat Exchanger. The
minimum temperature approach is the temperature difference between hot and cold streams.
3. Enter the overall heat transfer coefficient for the heat exchanger.

SIDE HEAT EXCHANGERS
Side heat exchangers are not true heat exchangers. They represent units that effect direct addition or
removal of energy from a single stage/section in a contacting device. Conceptually they may be visualized as
heating or cooling coils immersed in the liquid on the stage/section. Side heat exchangers are specified in
the absorber and regenerator input dialog. AMSIM has the capability of handling up to five side heat
exchangers in each absorber and three side heat exchangers in the regenerator. They may be entered in any
order.
TO SPECIFY A SIDE HEAT EXCHANGER
1. Check the Side Heat Exchanger box.

2. Specify the number of side heat changers using the up/down arrow.
3. Enter the stage/section location and the heat duty for each added side heat exchanger.
Tip: Side heat exchangers may be installed on any stage/section in an absorber. In regenerators, they
may be installed on any stage/section except for stage1 (condenser) and the bottom stage (reboiler) for
both plate and packing column. The stage/section location must be smaller than the number of actual
stages or sections. Their heat duty may be positive (for a hotter stage/section) or negative (for a cooler
stage/section).
For a packing regenerator, the condenser is always the first stage and the reboiler is always the last
stage if it is selected as the heat supply. The packing sections are between them.

Chap 6: Project Simulations
CHAPTER 6: PROJECT SIMULATIONS

In this chapter, you will learn how to make use of 'Modify Init. Values' mode to specify Column
Parameters for your project. Please note that the 'Modify Init. Values' mode is only available for plate
column.
FLASH CALCULATIONS
Since the flash calculation function is located in Flowsheet 1 (Single Flash Tank), select Flowsheet 1 in
Project Setup if flash calculations are desired.
TO SPECIFY A FLASH TANK FOR FLASH CALCULATIONS
Click on the flash tank hotspot in Flowsheet 1 in “Enter Data” mode. Flash tank input dialogs for amine
processes and physical solvent processes are slightly different.
AMINE PROCESS
If amine was selected in Project Setup, three-phase flash calculations may be performed by selecting
Flowsheet 1 : Flash tank
Flash Calculations: Amine Process
Select the phase equilibrium: VLE, LLE, or VLLE. Select P-T, P-H or P-L flash. Enter pressure, temperature,
liquid fraction, or aqueous phase fraction as required.

PHYSICAL SOLVENT PROCESS

If you select physical solvent in Project Setup, you may perform two-phase VLE flash calculations.
Flash Calculations: Physical Solvent Process
Select the flash mode: P-T, P-H, or P-L. Enter pressure, temperature, and liquid fraction as prompted.
Tip: You may perform bubble point calculations using the P-L mode of VLE flash by assigning the liquid
fraction to be 1.0.
MIXED FEED SIMULATIONS

The mixed feed option is available for amine processes only. Since there are two absorbers involved in
mixed feed simulations, users should select Flowsheet 6.
TO SELECT A MIXED FEED SIMULATION

1. In Project Setup, select Single Amine or Blended Amine as solvent.
2. Select Flowsheet 6 from the Flowsheet Selection box.
3. Click to select Gas and Liquid Feed in the Feed Selection field.

Project Setup for Mixed Feed Simulations
4. Enter data for the two feeds in 'Enter Data' mode. Specify the Sour Gas and NGL feed to Absorber A
and Absorber B respectively. Their required inputs are similar to those of single feed processes.
RUNNING A PROJECT
Once the stream and operational data have been entered for an AMSIM project, it is ready to execute
AMSIM simulations.
TO EXECUTE THE SIMULATION

i. Click on the Run button on the AMSIM toolbar.
Normally, it will take anywhere from seconds to minutes to run a case, depending on the flowsheet
configuration, the number of components, the number of the column stages/sections, etc. A typical case will
converge in less than a minute. When a case has converged, AMSIM will automatically switch to ‘Display

Output’ mode to allow viewing or printing of the results. If the case did not converge, AMSIM will display an
error message and suggest possible actions to obtain a converged result.
INITIAL CALCULATIONS
After the stream and equipment inputs have been entered for a case, AMSIM will have enough data to Run
the case. However, there may be cases where the user may want to overwrite AMSIM’s initialized values
that are generated by the Initial Calculations function.
These values include:

1. Stage efficiencies for H2S and CO2
2. Temperature profile in the column
3. Column dimensions (column diameter, weir length, and weir height)
Note:
i. This initial calculation function is only available for plate columns.
ii. For stage efficiencies, you need to first turn off the AMSIM stage efficiency calculation option
before you proceed to replace the generated efficiency with your own values. For details, refer
to Project Options.
iii. Access to tray spacing input is removed from the initialized result dialogs to column input
dialogs in’ Enter Data’ mode. The default tray spacing for gas treating is changed from 18
inches to 24 inches.
TO INITIALIZE VALUES
1. Click on the INIT button on the AMSIM toolbar or select Initial Calculation from the Run menu.
AMSIM will perform initial calculations and generate the initial values. Refer to Appendix F: Technical
Background on how AMSIM performs initial calculations. The flowsheet will automatically be switched to
the 'Modify Init. Values' mode upon the completion of initial calculations.
MODIFYING INITIALIZED VALUES

The Modify Initialized Values function provides users with the capability of providing better initial values
that aid in flowsheet convergence. This is a useful feature since it will help users adjust or tune the
simulation results in order to match AMSIM predictions to actual plant conditions.
Note: To set your own stage efficiencies, you need to first turn off the AMSIM stage efficiency
calculation option in Project Options before you proceed to override the generated efficiency with your own
values. For details, refer to Project Options.

TO VIEW AND MODIFY INITIALIZED VALUES
1. Click on the column of interest on the flowsheet while in 'Modify Init. Values' mode. A dialog like
the one below appears:
Absorber A Initial Calculation Results
2. Click on the appropriate tab and enter your own values.

Tip: You can enter data in the field provided at the bottom of the dialog, and then press the Change All
Data To button to apply all the entered data to all the stages.
Note:
Click Run to execute calculations using the values you just entered.
Do not press Initial Calculation before clicking Run as AMSIM will ignore the initial values you just
entered and use the program generated initial values to perform calculations. Also, if you want to further
simulate your case with new input data using the same set of initial values you just entered, first make the
input changes in 'Enter Data' mode, then proceed to 'Modify Init. Values' mode to execute Run. Do not
execute Run while in 'Enter Data' mode as this will cause AMSIM to use the program-generated initial
values to perform the simulation.

Chap 7: Simulation Results
CHAPTER 7: SIMULATION RESULTS

After a case has successfully converged, AMSIM will automatically switch to ‘Display Output’ mode. In
'Display Output' mode, users can view the results for all streams and equipment, as well as print and plot
the results for the project.
VIEWING SIMULATION RESULTS
TO VIEW THE RESULTS FOR A STREAM OR A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT
Click on the stream or equipment hotspot in the flowsheet to activate the output dialog.
PROCESS STREAMS
For each stream in the flowsheet, simulation results include the composition of the stream and the
properties of that stream. The format of the output is slightly different depending on the type of stream
being displayed. Examples of the output dialogs for a Gas/Liquid stream and a solvent stream are shown in
the following.
Example of a Gas Stream Output Dialog

Example of a Solvent Stream Output Dialog
Note: Click on the Print button in any output dialogs to send output results to the printer or the To EXCEL
button to export results to EXCEL. See Exporting Results to EXCEL at the end of this chapter for details.
COLUMNS
Column simulation results for Absorber A, Absorber B and the Regenerator can be viewed by simply clicking
on the corresponding column in the flowsheet. The formats of output dialogs for all the same type of
columns are similar but slightly different between plate columns and packing columns. The only differences
for all the plate columns are in the 'General Information' section, which is used only for the absorbers, and
the 'Heat Exchangers' section, which varies slightly in format depending on the plate column being
displayed. The column simulation results are divided into five or six sections by labeled
tabs:
Phase Properties (different temperature profiles between Vapor/Liquid HC and solvent solution
for packing columns)
Stage Efficiencies (for plate column only)
Composition Profiles
Preliminary Sizing
Heat Exchangers
Approach to Equilibrium (for absorbers only)
General Information

PHASE PROPERTIES
The Phase Properties tab displays the pressure, temperature, as well as vapor and liquid properties (e.g.
mass/volumetric/molar flow rates, molecular weight, and density) for each stage.
Column Output Dialog: Phase Properties
STAGE EFFICIENCIES
The Stage Efficiencies tab displays the H2S and CO2 efficiencies for each stage.
Column Output Dialog: Stage Efficiencies

COMPOSITION PROFILES
This tab displays the liquid and vapor mole fraction for every component at each stage of the column.
Select a component and the dialog will display the corresponding results.
Column Output Dialog: Composition Profiles
PRELIMINARY SIZING
The Preliminary Sizing tab displays the pressure, temperature, liquid and vapor flow rate, and tray diameter
for each stage/section.
Plate Column Output Dialog: Preliminary Sizing

HEAT EXCHANGERS
For absorbers, this tab displays the results of the primary and secondary lean amine cooler, semi-lean amine
cooler, amine pump around, and side heat exchangers. For regenerators, the results include those of the
overhead condenser, reboiler, and any side heat exchangers.
Column Output Dialog: Heat Exchangers
APPROACH TO EQUILIBRIUM
For absorbers, the calculations of Approach to Equilibrium are reported in two ways:
A. Percentage of the actual rich amine loading in relation to the theoretical maximum rich amine
loading at the absorber bottom conditions.
Note: Theoretical maximum rich amine loading is defined as the amine in equilibrium with the feed gas.
Usually an approach of 75-85% will be obtained.
B. Percentage of the partial pressure of acid gas in the rich amine in relation to the partial
pressure of acid gas in the feed gas.

Column Output Dialog : Approach to Equilibrium
GENERAL INFORMATION
The General Information tab is displayed only for the absorbers. Information in this section is comprised of
the summary information for an absorber.
Column Output Dialog: General Information

PRECONTACTOR
TO VIEW THE PRECONTACTOR OUTPUT
Click on the precontactor hotspot while in ‘Display Output’ mode.
Precontactor Output Dialog
The precontactor results are displayed in three tabs:
PHASE PROPERTIES AND EFFICIENCIES

Information displayed in this section includes pressure, temperature, the vapor and liquid flow rates,
molecular weight, density, and the H2S and CO2 efficiencies.

COMPOSITION PROFILES
The Composition Profiles tab displays the vapor and liquid mole fraction for each component.
HEAT EXCHANGER
This tab displays results of the precontactor heat exchanger (Precontactor Lean Solvent Cooler).
The calculation results for most heat exchangers are displayed along with the devices to which they are
attached. Only the Lean/Rich Solvent Heat Exchangers and Semi-Lean/Rich Solvent Heat Exchangers are
displayed separately.
TO VIEW THE SIMULATION RESULTS OF THE SOLVENT HEAT EXCHANGERS
1. Click on their hotspots while in ‘Display Output’ mode. The following figures are examples of
the output dialogs for the Lean/Rich Heat Exchanger and the Semi-Lean/Rich Heat Exchanger.
Lean/Rich Solvent Heat Exchanger Output Dialog

TO VIEW THE OUTPUT OF OTHER HEAT EXCHANGERS
1. Click on the equipment to which the heat exchangers attach while in ‘Display Output’ mode.
Click on the Heat Exchangers tab located on the top of the dialog.
2. To view results for each heat exchanger, click on the appropriate tab on the bottom of the
dialog.
PLOTTING GRAPHS
You can create temperature, pressure, and efficiency profiles for a column. Graphs are plotted via the “Plot”
button located in the output dialogs for absorbers and regenerators.
TO PLOT A GRAPH
1. Activate the desired column that you wish to plot graphs on.
2. In the column output dialog, select the appropriate tab and click Plot.
Shown in the following is an example of the temperature profile for an absorber.
Temperature Profile of Absorber A (Plate Column)
You may obtain a hard copy of the graph by clicking the Print button.

PRINTING REPORTS
After a case has converged, the results of the project can be printed.
TO ACTIVATE THE PRINTING FUNCTION
1. Click on a stream hotspot or an equipment hotspot while in 'Display Output' mode.

2. Click on the Print Report button on the AMSIM toolbar.
3. Select Print from the File menu.
If the printing function is activated via hotpots, users should click Print in the output dialog to activate the
Print Preview dialog. If the printing function is activated from the toolbar or the File menu, a Report
Selection dialog appears to allow selection of the desired report type.
SELECTING A REPORT TYPE

As shown in the Report Selection dialog, there are four different types of reports in AMSIM:
Summary Report
Full Report
Stream Report
Device Report
Report Selection Dialog
Summary Report: This report includes information such as file name, project name, flowsheet type,
Solvent type and circulation rates, sour gas and sweet gas flowrates, CO2 slippage, acid gas loadings in
sweet gas/NGL and solvent streams.

Full Report: This report includes complete information for all streams and pieces of equipment in a project.
Stream Report: This report includes composition and properties for the chosen stream. If Stream Report is
selected, choose a stream to print.
Device Report: This report includes information pertaining to the chosen piece of equipment. If Device
Report is selected, choose a piece of equipment to print.
Select the desired set of units by clicking on the appropriate button. Users may print simulation results in
either Engineering or SI Units, regardless of which units were entered as input. Once you have selected a
report type and a unit system, click OK. The Print Preview dialog appears.
PRINT PREVIEW AND PRINTING OPTIONS

There are a number of output options available in the AMSIM Print Preview dialog. Users can send a hard
copy of the report to a printer, include the project flowsheet in the hard copy report, save the current output
as a text file, or copy the file to another application using the standard clipboard operation.
AMSIM Print Preview

TO PRINT A HARD COPY OF THE REPORT
Click on the Print button.
TO INCLUDE THE PROJECT FLOWSHEET IN THE REPORT
1. Check the Include flowsheet in report box.
TO SAVE THE OUTPUT AS A TEXT FILE
1. Click on the Save as File button.
2. In the Save As dialog, enter the file name and click Save.
3. This is a useful function for users who wish to edit the output or format the report to their
own specifications.
TO COPY THE OUTPUT TO ANOTHER APPLICATION
1. In the Print Preview dialog, select area to copy by highlighting the area.
2. Click on the Copy button.
3. Proceed to the application you want to paste the output. Execute the paste function from
within the application.
EXPORTING RESULTS TO EXCEL

Simulation results can be exported to Microsoft™ EXCEL. This feature, available in most DBR Technology
Center software packages, allows users to format the result presentations in reports or for other
documentation purposes.
TO EXPORT SIMULATION RESULTS OF A STREAM (OR EQUIPMENT) TO

EXCEL
1. Click on the hotspot of a stream or a piece of equipment while in ‘Display Output’ mode. The result
dialog appears.
2. Click on the To EXCEL button. AMSIM will activate EXCEL and export the results to EXCEL.

TO EXPORT ONLY A PORTION OF THE RESULTS FOR A STREAM OR A PIECE

OF EQUIPMENT
1. Click on the hotspot of a stream or a piece of equipment while in ‘Display Output’ mode. The
result dialog appears.
2. Click on a tab that you are interested in.
3. Right-click anywhere on the display worksheet and select Send to MS Excel from the popup
menu.
Exporting Results to EXCEL

Appendix A: AMSIM Library
APPENDIX A: AMSIM LIBRARY

The AMSIM library contains a number of components and solvents. A list of these species is provided in this
section. It may be helpful to know the convention AMSIM uses for stream numbers. Hence, the list of
stream numbers and their corresponding descriptions are also presented in this section.
GAS & LIQUID COMPONENTS

1. H2S (Hydrogen Sulfide)
2. CO2 (Carbon Dioxide)
3. H2O (Water)
4. C1 (Methane)
5. C2 (Ethane)
6. C3 (Propane)
7. i-C4 (i-Butane)
8. n-C4 (n-Butane)
9. i-C5 (i-Pentane)
10. n-C5 (n-Pentane)
11. n-C6 (n-Hexane)
12. n-C7 (n-Heptane)
13. H2 (Hydrogen)
14. N2 (Nitrogen)
15. O2 (Oxygen)
16. CO (Carbon Monoxide)
17. MeSH (Methyl Mercaptan)
18. EtSH (Ethyl Mercaptan)
19. COS (Carbonyl Sulfide)
20. CS2 (Carbon Sulfide)
21. C2H4 (Ethylene)
22. C3H6 (Propylene)
23. NH3 (Ammonia)
24. SO2 (Sulfur Dioxide)
25. C6H6 (Benzene)
26. Toluene
27. Ethylbenzene
28. Xylenes
29. i-Butene
30. 1-Butene
31. trans-2-Butene
32. cis-2-Butene
33. 1-Pentene
34. He (Helium)
35. C8
36. C9
37. C10

38. C11
39. C12
40. 22MButane
41. 2MPentane
42. 24MPentane
43. 1,2 Butadiene
44. 1,3 Butadiene
45. Cyclopentane
46. Cyclohexane
47. 3-Methylpentane
48. Methylcyclohexane
49. 2,2,4-Trimethylpentane
50. P-Xylene
51. O-Xylene
52. Argon
SOLVENTS
SINGLE AMINE SOLVENTS
MEA (Monoethanolamine)
DEA (Diethanolamine)
TEA (Triethanolamine)
MDEA (Methyldiethanolamine)
DGA (Diglycolamine)
DIPA (Diisopropanolamine)
BLENDED AMINE SOLVENTS

For the Kent-Eisenberg Model:
MEA+MDEA (Monoethanolamine + Methyldiethanolamine)

DEA+MDEA (Diethanolamine + Methyldiethanolamine)
For the Li-Mather Electrolyte Model:
Combination of any two amine solvents
PHYSICAL SOLVENTS
DEPG (Dimethyl Ethers of Polyethylene Glycol or Coastal AGR)
Methanol (MeOH)

ACTIVATED AMINE- MDEA + PIPERAZINE
STERICALLY HINDERED AMINES

AMP
MEA+AMP
DEA+AMP
AMINE WITH PHYSICAL SOLVENT (SULFOLANE)

MDEA + TMS (SULFOLANE)
DIPA + TMS (SULFOLANE)
TERNARY SOLVENT
MDEA + Piperazine + Sulfolane
STREAM NUMBERS AND DESCRIPTIONS
Stream Number Description
[Stream1] Sour Gas/NGL Feed to Precontactor

[Stream2] Precontactor Gas/NGL Outlet
[Stream3] Gas/NGL Feed to Absorber A
[Stream4] Absorber A Inlet Separator Liquid
[Stream5] Primary Lean Amine/DEPG/MeOH Feed to Absorber A
[Stream6] Secondary Lean Amine/DEPG/MeOH Feed to Absorber A
[Stream7] Semi-Lean Amine/DEPG/MeOH to Absorber A
[Stream8] Rich Amine/DEPG/MeOH from Absorber A
[Stream9] Absorber A Pump-Around Draw
[Stream10] Absorber A Pump-Around Feed
[Stream11] Absorber A Total Treated Gas/NGL
[Stream12] Absorber A Treated Gas/NGL
[Stream13] Absorber A Treated Gas/NGL to Absorber B
[Stream14] Lean Amine/DEPG/MeOH Feed to Precontactor
[Stream15] Rich Amine/DEPG/MeOH from Precontactor
[Stream16] Rich Amine/DEPG/MeOH from Precontactor+Absorber A
[Stream17] Sour Gas/NGL Feed to Absorber B
[Stream18] Mixed Gas/NGL Feed to Absorber B
[Stream19] Gas/NGL Feed to Absorber B
[Stream20] Absorber B Inlet Separator Liquid
[Stream21] Primary Lean Amine/DEPG/MeOH Feed to Absorber B
[Stream22] Secondary Lean Amine/DEPG/MeOH Feed to Absorber B

[Stream23] Semi-Lean Amine/DEPG/MeOH to Absorber B

[Stream24] Rich Amine/DEPG/MeOH from Absorber B
[Stream25] Absorber B Pump-Around Draw
[Stream26] Absorber B Pump-Around Feed
[Stream27] Absorber B Treated Gas/NGL
[Stream28] Rich Amine/DEPG/MeOH Feed to Flash Tank
[Stream29] Rich Amine/DEPG/MeOH Flash Gas/NG
[Stream30] Rich Amine/DEPG/MeOH Flash Liquid
[Stream31] Rich Amine/DEPG/MeOH to Lean/Rich Heat Exchanger
[Stream32] Rich Amine/DEPG/MeOH to Semi-Lean/Rich Heat Exchanger
[Stream33] Rich Amine/DEPG/MeOH from Lean/Rich Heat Exchanger
[Stream34] Rich Amine/DEPG/MeOH from Semi-Lean/Rich Heat Exchanger
[Stream35] Rich Amine/DEPG/MeOH Feed to Regenerator
[Stream36] Regenerator Overhead Vapor
[Stream37] Regenerator Condenser Outlet
[Stream38] Acid Gas
[Stream39] Regenerator Reflux Liquid
[Stream40] Regenerator Semi-Lean Amine/DEPG/MeOH Draw
[Stream41] Liquid to Regenerator Reboiler
[Stream42] Regenerator Reboiler Vapor
[Stream43] Lean Amine/DEPG/MeOH from Regenerator Reboiler
[Stream44] Lean Amine/DEPG/MeOH from Lean/Rich Heat Exchanger
[Stream45] Lean Amine/DEPG/MeOH to Cooler
[Stream46] Semi-Lean Amine/DEPG/MeOH to Cooler
[Stream47] Amine/DEPG/MeOH and Water Make-up
[Stream48] Lean Amine/DEPG/MeOH from Cooler
[Stream49] Semi-Lean Amine/DEPG/MeOH to Absorbers
[Stream50] Lean Amine/DEPG/MeOH to Absorbers+Precontactor
[Stream51] Lean Amine/DEPG/MeOH to Absorber A
[Stream52] Lean Amine/DEPG/MeOH to Absorber B
[Stream53] Flash Gas/NGL from Flash Tank 1
[Stream54] Flash Liquid from Flash Tank 1
[Stream57] Hot Stream Feed to Regenerator
[Stream60] Flash Gas/NGL Recycle to Absorber
[Stream61] Flash NGL
[Stream62] Rich Amine/DEPG/MeOH Feed to Hot Flash Tank
[Stream63] Flash Gas/NGL from Hot Flash Tank
[Stream64] Flash NGL from Hot Flash Tank

HEAT EXCHANGERS
Listed in the following table are the heat exchangers in AMSIM.
Heat Exchanger Description Default U (BTU/h-ft2 -F)
1 Overhead Condenser 4
2 Reboiler 150
3 Lean/Rich Heat Exchanger 125
4 Semi-Lean/Rich Heat Exchanger 125
5 Absorber A Primary Lean Solvent Cooler 5
6 Absorber A Secondary Lean Solvent Cooler 5
7 Precontactor Lean Solvent Cooler 5
8 Absorber B Primary Lean Solvent Cooler 5
9 Absorber B Secondary Lean Solvent Cooler 5
10 Absorber A Semi-Lean Solvent Cooler 5
11 Absorber B Semi-Lean Solvent Cooler 5
12 Absorber A Pump Around Cooler 5
13 Absorber B Pump Around Cooler 5
14-18 Absorber A Side Heat Exchangers 1-5 5
19-23 Absorber B Side Heat Exchangers 1-5 5
24-26 Regenerator Side Heat Exchangers 1-3 5
The first thirteen are real heat exchangers. Heat exchangers 14 to 26 are side heat exchangers. Also listed
in the table is the default overall heat transfer coefficient for each of the heat exchangers. If desired, users
may overwrite the default values.

Appendix B: Operating Data LimitsC
APPENDIX B: OPERATING DATA LIMITS

AMSIM contains equilibrium solubility data for six single amines, blended amine solutions and two physical
solvents in contact with H2S and CO2. The experimental data have been gathered from several unpublished
sources and numerous technical references. The resulting database is extensive. However, limitations
concerning solvent concentration, and acid gas partial pressure and temperature should be followed.
EQUILIBRIUM SOLUBILITY DATA LIMITATIONS
Amine/Solvent Concentration Acid Gas Partial

Temperature, ºF (ºC) Range, wt% Pressure, psia
AMP 0 – 30 0.00001 – 300

77(25) – 250(125)
Monoethanolamine (MEA) 0 – 30 0.00001 – 300

77(25) – 260(125)
Diethanolamine (DEA) 0 – 50 0.00001 – 300

77(25) – 260(125)
Triethanolamine (TEA) 0 – 50 0.00001 – 300

77(25) – 260(125)
Methyldiethanol-amine 0 – 50 0.00001 – 300

77(25) – 260(125)
(MDEA)
Diglycolamine 50 – 70 0.00001 – 300

77(25) – 260(125)
(DGA)
Diisopropanolamine 0 – 40 0.00001 – 300

77(25) – 260(125)
(DIPA)
DEPG 90 – 100 0.01 – 600

-4(-20) – 212(100)
Piperazine 0–7 0.00001– 300

0(32) –140(284)
Sulfolane 15 – 45 0.0001 – 300

77(25) –260(125)
Methanol 95 – 100 21-650

-90(-70) –300(150)

Appendix C: AMSIM TipsC
APPENDIX C: AMSIM TIPS

Converging has been a common problem for most of the process simulator. There may be some cases that
are difficult to converge in AMSIM. This section has been included to provide some assistance in getting
tough problems to converge.
AMINE CIRCULATION RATE
Amine circulation rate is a variable that often plays a major role in determining whether or not an absorber
case will converge i.e. the higher the circulation rate, the greater the probability of converging an absorber
case. If an absorber case does not converge, try doubling the amine circulation rate to get the problem to
converge. Then gradually decrease the circulation rate.
REBOILER HEAT DUTY
Reboiler heat duty is the key variable in regenerator problems. Estimate the volumetric flow rate of lean
amine leaving the reboiler in US gal/min. Using a latent heat of condensation of 923 BTU for every lb of
saturated steam, calculate the heat duty in lb steam/gal amine. Remember that the reboiler heat duty is in
MMBTU/h. The parameter should be between 1.0 and 2.0 lb/gal. Any reboiler heat duty that is outside this
region could be the source of error. Try running the program using a heat duty equivalent to 1.5 lb/gal. Once
the program has converged, gradually decrease the heat duty to the target value. General rule of thumb, 6-
10 MMBTU/h of heat duty is required to regenerate 100 gpm of rich amine.
STAGE EFFICIENCIES
If you are specifying your own CO2 and/or H2S efficiencies, remember to turn off the efficiency calculation
option (See Chapter 6). Otherwise, AMSIM will use the efficiencies calculated by the program to generate
simulation results.
TRAY EQUIVALENCE FOR PACKING HEIGHT
For Gas Treating: 8 to 10 feet of packing ≈ 3 to 4 trays

For Liquid Treating: 8 to 10 feet of packing ≈ 8 to 10 trays

Appendix D: Example Cases
APPENDIX D: EXAMPLE CASES

The following examples are typical gas/liquid treating cases. All cases are also provided on the AMSIM
diskette and are installed to the Samples sub-directory with the AMSIM program.
EXAMPLE CASE 1
Input Data - Case 1
General
File Name : GasTreating1.apj
Project Name : AMSIM Project
Flowsheet : Flowsheet 2 [Single Absorber]
Solvent Type : Amine
Solvent : MDEA [48.00 % by weight]
Gas Feed to Absorber A
Pressure: 450.0 [psia]

Temperature: 122.0 [F]
Component Molar Flow Rates [lbmol/h]:
H2S: 2.0
CO2: 122.9
MDEA: 0.0
H2O: 34.4
Methane: 5675.7
Ethane: 1262.7
Propane: 436.0
n-Butane: 159.3
n-Hexane: 98.3
Nitrogen: 172.0
Lean Amine Feed to Absorber A

Volumetric Flow Rate of MDEA: 89.0 [US gal/min at 60F]
Weight % MDEA: 48.0 [%]
Residual Acid Gas Loadings:
H2S: 0.0001 [mol/mol]
CO2: 0.001 [mol/mol]

Absorber A Data Input
Number of Actual Stages: 15

Top Tray Pressure: 440.0 [psia]
Bottom Tray Pressure: 441.4 [psia]
Side Heat Exchangers: 0
Summary Output Report - Case 1
File Name : GasTreating1.apj

Project Name : AMSIM Project
Flowsheet : Flowsheet 2 [Single Absorber]
Solvent Type : Amine
Solvent : MDEA [48.00 % by weight]
[Stream 3] Gas Feed to Absorber A

[Stream 12] Absorber A Treated Gas
[Stream 5] Primary Lean Amine Feed to Absorber A
[Stream 28] Rich Amine Feed to Flash Tank
[Stream 8] Rich Amine from Absorber A

Absorber A Output Summary
Sour Gas Flow Rate 2.4022 [MMACFD]

Sweet Gas Flow Rate 2.4987 [MMACFD]
CO2 in Sweet Gas 0.8397 [mol%]
H2S in Sweet Gas 0.0011 [mol%]
CO2 Slippage 0.539638
Amine Circulation Rate 90.633 [US-gal/min]
Lean Solvent Loading (CO2) 0.001000 [molCO2/molAmine]
Lean Solvent Loading (H2S) 0.000100 [molH2S/molAmine ]
Rich Solvent Loading (CO2) 0.3021 [molCO2/molAmine ]
Rich Solvent Loading (H2S) 0.0103 [molH2S/molAmine]
EXAMPLE CASE 2
Input Data - Case 2
General
File Name: GasTreating2.apj

Project Name: AMSIM Project
Flowsheet: Flowsheet 3 [Single Regenerator]
Solvent Type: Amine
Solvent: MEA [15.00 % by weight].
Rich Amine Feed to Regenerator
Feed Stage Location: 4

H2S: 37.319
CO2: 70.648
MEA: 252.496
H2O: 4820.879
Methane: 0.0
Ethane: 0.0
Propane: 0.0
Nitrogen: 0.0

Semi-Lean Amine Draw from Regenerator
Draw Stage Location: 15

Draw Rate: 2600.00 [lbmol/h]
Regenerator Data Input
Number of Actual Stages: 20 (Including Condenser and Reboiler)

Temperature of Overhead Condenser Outlet: 120.0 [F]
Pressure of Overhead Reflux Accumulator: 27.0 [psia]
Reboiler Pressure: 31.6 [psia]
Reboiler Heat Duty: 7.000 [MMbtu/h]

Flowsheet: Flowsheet 3 [Single Regenerator]
Solvent Type: Amine
Solvent: MEA [15.00 % by weight]
[Stream 35] Rich Amine Feed to Regenerator

[Stream 40] Regenerator Semi-Lean Amine Draw
[Stream 36] Regenerator Overhead Vapor
[Stream 41] Liquid to Regenerator Reboiler
[Stream 37] Regenerator Condenser Outlet
[Stream 42] Regenerator Reboiler Vapor
[Stream 38] Acid Gas

[Stream 43] Lean Amine from Regenerator Reboiler

[Stream 39] Regenerator Reflux Liquid
Regenerator Summary
Rich Amine Flow Rate 209.66 [US gal/min]

Lean Amine Flow Rate 107.02 [US gal/min]
Semi-Lean Amine Flow Rate 107.09 [US gal/min]
Rich Amine Loading (H2S) 0.147800 [mol/mol]
Rich Amine Loading (CO2) 0.279798 [mol/mol]
Lean Amine Loading (H2S) 0.0145 [mol/mol]
Lean Amine Loading (CO2) 0.1130 [mol/mol]
Semi-Lean Amine Loading (H2S) 0.0962 [mol/mol]
Semi-Lean Amine Loading (CO2) 0.21983 [mol/mol]
Reboiler Heat Duty 7.000 [MMbtu/h]
Regenerator Reflux Ratio 0.7558
EXAMPLE CASE 3
Input Data - Case 3
General

Flowsheet: Flowsheet 4 [Absorber and Regenerator]
Solvent Type: Amine
Solvent: DEA [35.00 % by weight]

CO2: 661.7
DEA: 0.0
H2O: 8.1
Methane: 2797.9
Ethane: 218.7
Propane: 57.3
i-Butane: 14.2
n-Butane: 11.9
n-Pentane: 9.6

n-Heptane: 6.9
Nitrogen: 64.2

CO2: 31.413
DEA: 1308.873
H2O: 14184.174
Methane: 0.0
Ethane: 0.0
Propane: 0.0
i-Butane: 0.0
n-Butane: 0.0
n-Pentane: 0.0
n-Heptane: 0.0
Nitrogen: 0.0


Regenerator

Flash Tank 1
Lean Amine/Rich Amine Heat Exchanger

Minimum Temperature Approach: 30.0 [F]

Amine and Water Make up Temperature: 68.0 [F]

Solvent Type: Amine

[Stream 43] Lean Amine from Regenerator Reboiler
[Stream 30] Rich Amine Flash Liquid
[Stream 44] Lean Amine from Lean/Rich Heat Exchanger
[Stream 31] Rich Amine to Lean/Rich Heat Exchanger
[Stream 45] Lean Amine to Cooler
[Stream 33] Rich Amine from Lean/Rich Heat Exchanger
[Stream 47] Amine and Water Make-up
[Stream 53] Rich Amine Flash Gas


Absorber A Summary

Lean Solvent loading (CO2) 0.0284 [MolCO2/MolAmine]
Lean Solvent loading (H2S) 0.000000 [MolH2S/MolAmine]
Rich Solvent loading (CO2) 0.5333 [MolCO2/MolAmine]
Rich Solvent loading (H2S) 0.000000 [MolH2S/MolAmine]
EXAMPLE CASE 4
Input Data - Case 4
General

Flowsheet: Flowsheet 6 [Two Absorbers and Regenerator]
Solvent Type: Amine
Solvent: DEA [33.00 % by Weight]

H2S: 1409.9
CO2: 394.9
DEA: 0.0
H2O: 0.0
Methane: 7138.6
Ethane: 1354.9
Propane: 677.9
i-Butane: 88.5

n-Butane: 166.0
n-Pentane: 56.3
n-Hexane: 15.0
n-Heptane: 19.1
Nitrogen: 131.1
H2S: 30.194
CO2: 2.516
DEA: 2516.187
H2O: 29810.219
Methane: 0.0
Ethane: 0.0
Propane: 0.0
i-Butane: 0.0
n-Butane: 0.0
n-Pentane: 0.0
n-Hexane: 0.0
n-Heptane: 0.0
Nitrogen: 0.0

External Gas Feed to Absorber B

H2S: 1328.9
CO2: 90.6
DEA: 0.0
H2O: 0.0
Methane: 762.3
Ethane: 571.7
Propane: 564.3
i-Butane: 107.3

n-Butane: 235.6
n-Pentane: 71.4
n-Hexane: 2.8
n-Heptane: 5.2
Nitrogen: 2.3
Absorber A Treated Gas to Absorber B
Mole Fraction of Gas Stream from Absorber A to Absorber B: 0.110
Lean Amine Feed to Absorber B
Flow Rate: 13593 [lbmol/h]
Semi-Lean Amine Feed to Absorber B

H2S: 30.402
CO2: 4.885
DEA: 914.541
H2O: 13263.598
Methane: 0.0
Ethane: 0.0
Propane: 0.0
i-Butane: 0.0
n-Butane: 0.0
n-Pentane: 0.0
n-Hexane: 0.0
n-Heptane: 0.0
Nitrogen: 0.0
Gas Feed to Absorber B

Absorber B




Regenerator

Flash Tank 1
Semi-Lean Amine/Rich Amine Heat Exchanger

Flowsheet: Flowsheet 6 [Two Absorbers and Regenerator]
Solvent Type: Amine


[Stream 34] Rich Amine from Semi-Lean/Rich Heat Exchanger
[Stream 13] Absorber A Treated Gas to Absorber B
[Stream 17] Sour Gas Feed to Absorber B
[Stream 40] Regenerator Semi-Lean Amine Draw
[Stream 18] Mixed Gas Feed to Absorber B
[Stream 19] Gas Feed to Absorber B
[Stream 21] Primary Lean Amine Feed to Absorber
[Stream 43] Lean Amine from Regenerator Reboiler B
[Stream 23] Semi-Lean Amine to Absorber B
[Stream 44] Lean Amine from Lean/Rich Heat Exchanger
[Stream 24] Rich Amine from Absorber B
[Stream 45] Lean Amine to Cooler
[Stream 27] Absorber B Treated Gas
[Stream 46] Semi-Lean Amine to Cooler
[Stream 47] Amine and Water Make-up
[Stream 30] Rich Amine Flash Liquid
[Stream 49] Semi-Lean Amine Feed to Absorbers

[Stream 31] Rich Amine to Lean/Rich Heat

[Stream 53] Rich Amine Flash Gas Exchanger
[Stream 32] Rich Amine to Semi-Lean/Rich Heat Exchanger
[Stream 33] Rich Amine from Lean/Rich Heat Exchanger
Absorber A Summary

Lean Solvent loading (CO2) 0.0026 [molCO2/molAmine]
Lean Solvent loading (H2S) 0.0031 [molH2S/molAmine]
Rich Solvent loading (CO2) 0.1593 [molCO2/molAmine]
Rich Solvent loading (H2S) 0.5635 [MolH2S/MolAmine]
Absorber B Summary

Rich Solvent loading (H2S) 0.6804 [molH2S/molAmine]

EXAMPLE CASE 5
Input Data - Case 5
General
File Name: BlendedAmineTreating.apj

Solvent Type: Blended Amine
Solvent: MDEA [23.75 % by weight]

H2S: 165.0
CO2: 50.0
DEA: 0.0
MDEA: 0.0
H2O: 1.0
Methane: 1540.0
Ethane: 320.0
Propane: 25.0
H2S: 0.13
CO2: 0.13
DEA: 26.719
MDEA: 103.703
H2O: 2046.02
Methane: 0.0
Ethane: 0.0
Propane: 0.0

Secondary Lean Amine Feed to Absorber A
Feed Stage: 5
Feed Flow Rate: 2202.0 [lbmol/h]
Semi-Lean Amine Feed to Absorber A

H2S: 1.299
CO2: 1.082
DEA: 44.324
MDEA: 172.163
H2O: 4238.864
Methane: 0.0
Ethane: 0.0
Propane: 0.0

Stage No.: 18
Heat Duty: -1000000 [btu/h]

Regenerator


Flash Tank 1
Semi-Lean Amine/Rich Amine Heat Exchanger

File Name: BlendedAmineTreating.apj
Solvent Type: Blended Amine
Solvent: MDEA [23.75 % by weight]


[Stream 5] Primary Lean Amines Feed to Absorber A
[Stream 6] Secondary Lean Amines Feed to
[Stream 39] Regenerator Reflux Liquid Absorber A
[Stream 8] Rich Amines from Absorber A
[Stream 40] Regenerator Semi-Lean Amines Draw
[Stream 28] Rich Amines Feed to Flash Tank
[Stream 30] Rich Amines Flash Liquid
[Stream 43] Lean Amines from Regenerator Reboiler
[Stream 31] Rich Amines to Lean/Rich Heat
[Stream 44] Lean Amines from Lean/Rich Heat Exchanger Exchanger
[Stream 32] Rich Amines to Semi-Lean/Rich Heat
[Stream 45] Lean Amines to Cooler Exchanger
[Stream 33] Rich Amines from Lean/Rich Heat
[Stream 46] Semi-Lean Amines to Cooler Exchanger
[Stream 34] Rich Amines from Semi-Lean/Rich Heat
[Stream 47] Amine and Water Make-up Exchanger
[Stream 35] Rich Amines Feed to Regenerator
[Stream 53] Rich Amines Flash Gas
Absorber A Summary

Lean Solvent loading (CO2) 0.0001 [molCO2/molAmines]
Lean Solvent loading (H2S) 0.0022 [molH2S/molAmines]

EXAMPLE CASE 6
Input Data - Case 6
General
File Name: LiqTreating.apj

Flowsheet: Flowsheet 2 [Single Absorber]
Solvent Type: Amine
Solvent: MDEA [20.00 % by Weight]
NGL Feed to Absorber A

H2S: 0.0295
MDEA: 0.0
H2O: 0.0
Ethane: 0.0346
Propane: 0.6095
i-Butane: 1.2908
n-Butane: 1.5192
Ethylene: 0.0010
Propylene: 1.4633
Component molar flow rates [lbmol/h]:
H2S: 0.2050
MDEA: 20.5420
H2O: 543.4600
Ethane: 0.0
Propane: 0.0
i-Butane: 0.0
n-Butane: 0.0
Ethylene: 0.0
Propylene: 0.0


Summary Report for Case 6
File Name: LiqTreating.apj

Flowsheet: Flowsheet 2 [Single Absorber]
Solvent Type: Amine
Solvent: MDEA [20.00 % by Weight]
[Stream 3] NGL Feed to Absorber A

[Stream 12] Absorber A Treated NGL
Absorber A
Sour NGL Flow Rate 0.9015 [US-gal/min]

Sweet NGL Flow Rate 0.8558 [US-gal/min]
CO2 in Sweet NGL 0.000000 [mol%]
H2S in Sweet NGL 0.0001 [mol%]



Appendix E: Error Messages
APPENDIX E: ERROR MESSAGES

If a case did not converge in AMSIM, the program will display an error message to indicate the possible
cause and remedies to the error.
Error Type Reason Remedy
1 System error, one stream flow rate is zero. Check input data.
2 Calculation failure in finding bicarbonation roots in Increasing solvent circulation rate
acid gas equilibrium correlation. might solve the problem.
3 Iteration overflow in the calculation of phase N/A

equilibrium constants.
4 Error encountered in fugacity calculation N/A
5 Error encountered in column simulation. N/A
6 Iteration overflow in flash calculation. Check/adjust input data.
7 Iteration overflow in the calculation of enthalpy and N/A
temperature for mixed streams.
8 Multiple feeds to the same stage are not allowed. Assign different feed positions for
different feed streams.
9 Iteration overflow in the flash calculation in a N/A
singlephase region. N/A
10 Precontactor calculation does not converge. Change the ratio of gas (or NGL) to
solvent flow rates.
11 Flowsheet simulation does not converge. Relax the specified iteration limits
Of flowsheet and columns. Increase
weight percentage of solvent.
Adjust the ratio of gas (or NGL) and
solvent flow rates.
12 Iteration overflow in heat exchanger calculation. Check the specified temperature
approach.
13 Iteration overflow in column calculation. Relax the specified iteration limit.
Increase weight percentage of
solvent. Adjust the ratio of gas (or
NGL) and solvent flow rates.
14 Column simulation has diverged. Increase weight percentage of
solvent. Adjust the ratio of gas (or
NGL) and solvent flow rates.
Provide better initial values.
15 Simulation did not converge. N/A
16 Error encountered in VLL flash calculation N/A

APPENDIX F: TECHNICAL BACKGROUND
AMINE PROCESS
The removal of acid gases such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon dioxide (CO2) from process gas streams
and liquefied petroleum gases is often required in natural gas plants and in oil refineries. There are many
treating processes available. However, no single process is ideal for all applications. The initial selection of
a particular process may be based on feed parameters such as composition, pressure, temperature and the
nature of the impurities, as well as product specifications. Final selection is ultimately based on process
economics, reliability, versatility and environmental constraints. Clearly the selection procedure is not a
trivial matter and any tool that provides a reliable mechanism for process design optimization is highly
desirable. Acid gas removal processes using absorption technology and chemical solvents are widely used in
the gas processing industry, particularly those using aqueous solutions of alkanolamines.
The following figure shows the conventional process configuration for a gas treating system that uses an
aqueous alkanolamine solution.
Conventional Alkanolamine Treating Process
The sour gas feed is contacted with amine solution counter-currently in a tray or packed absorber. Acid
gases are absorbed into the solvent which is then heated and fed to the top of the regeneration tower.
Stripping steam produced by the reboiler causes the acid gases to desorb from the amine solution as it
passes down the column.

A condenser provides reflux and the acid gases are recovered overhead as a vapor by-product. Lean amine
solution is cooled and recycled to the absorber. A partially stripped, semi-lean amine stream may be
withdrawn from the regenerator and fed to the absorber in the split-flow modification to the conventional
plant flowsheet. A three-phase separator or flash tank may be installed at the outlet of the absorber to
permit the recovery of dissolved and entrained hydrocarbons and to reduce the hydrocarbon content of the
acid gas product.
The design of amine treating units involves the selection of process configuration, amine type and
concentration, solvent circulation rate, reboiler heat requirements, and operating pressures and
temperatures. Also, the mechanical tray design and the number of stages in the contactor will affect the
process performance and are particularly important in selective absorption applications.
Amine units were designed in the past using hand calculations and operating experience. Design conditions
were typically chosen within a conservative range in order to cover the deficiencies in the data used in hand
calculations. Today, simulation is the primary means of obtaining values for the key design variables in the
process.
Although some rules-of-thumb exist for the design of selective absorption applications, the process is
generally controlled by reaction kinetics and cannot be designed on the basis of chemical equilibrium alone.
The simulation program must be relied upon as a predictive tool in these cases.
WHAT IS AMSIM?
AMSIM (AMine treating unit SIMulator) is a steady-state process simulator designed to model the operation
of an alkanolamine treating unit in which H2S and CO2 are removed from gas streams and liquefied
petroleum gases. Currently, AMSIM contains data to model the absorption/desorption process where
various aqueous solutions are used. AMSIM models single amine solutions - monoethanolamine (MEA),
diethanolamine (DEA), methyldiethanolamine (MDEA), triethanolamine (TEA), diglycolamine (DGA), or
diisopropanolamine (DIPA); any combination of two amine solutions; or physical solvents - dimethyl ethers of
polyethylene glycol (DEPG) also known as Coastal AGR, and methanol (MeOH).
AMSIM is developed by DBR Technology Center, a division of Schlumberger Canada Limited. The AMSIM
program uses a non-equilibrium stage model based on the stage efficiency concept is used to simulate the
performance of contactors and regenerators for plate columns. A rate-based model is also developed for the
simulation of packing columns. A list of reference articles on the research leading to the development of
AMSIM is contained in Appendix G. The best data have been used to determine the component properties in
the AMSIM component library.
DBR Technology Center strives to provide software that meets the needs of chemical and petroleum
engineering professionals. Although AMSIM is relatively simple to use, a basic understanding of gas
conditioning operations is required before the use of this program can be truly effective. The reference
books and articles listed in Appendix G should provide answers to most technical questions about the amine
treating process.

AMSIM TECHNICAL OVERVIEW
The simulation of amine treating facilities using AMSIM proceeds in a logical series of phases. Design
specifications are entered in the program, the calculations are performed, and simulation output is
reviewed.
The AMSIM graphic user-interface allows easy input, editing, and storage of data and efficient execution of
the program. Users can select from one of AMSIM's standard flowsheets and choose from a variety of
options within each flowsheet. The flowsheet is object-oriented which permits data input and output
viewing to be a button click away. Input and output information is logically and systematically organized for
easy access.
NON-EQUILIBRIUM STAGE MODEL

A non-equilibrium stage model was used to simulate the multicomponent multistage mass transfer process
encountered in an amine-treating unit in the AMSIM program. The generalized stage model shown in the
following figure gives the flow geometry and nomenclature for an individual stage in a column. The
fundamental concepts used within the AMSIM program is that the rate of absorption/desorption of acid
gases to/from the amine solution must be considered as a mass-transfer rate process. This rate process
depends on the equilibrium and kinetic parameters that describe the acid gas/amine system.
Generalized Stage Model
The AMSIM model incorporates a modified Murphree-type vapor efficiency to account for the varying mass-
transfer rates of individual acid gas components. The acid gas stage efficiencies are, in turn, functions of
mass-transfer coefficients and the mechanical design of the tray. When the generalized stage model is
extended to the multistage case, the resulting column flow geometry and nomenclature is shown in figure
followed.

Multistage Column Model
The resulting set of balance equations that characterize the multistage unit are given in Equations A-1 to A-
6. This set of equations must be solved for each column in the flowsheet. A modified Newton-Raphson
method is used to simultaneously solve the rigorous nonlinear stage equations for temperature, composition
and phase rates on each stage in a column. Component material and energy balances are satisfied to a
desired tolerance.

Overall Material Balance
Fj + Lj − 1 + Vj + 1 − ( Lj + SLj ) − (V + SV ) = 0 (A-1)
Component Material Balance
Fjzi , j + Lj − 1 xi , j − 1 + Vj + 1 yi , j + 1 − ( Lj + SLj ) xi , j − (Vj + SVj ) yi , j = 0 (A-2)
Energy Balance
FjHFj + Qj + Lj − 1hj − 1 + Vj + 1hj + 1 − ( Lj + SLj )hj − (Vj + SVj ) Hj = 0 (A-3)
Stage Efficiency Relationship
η i , jKi , jxi , j (Vj + SVj ) − (Vj + SVj ) yi , j + (1 − η i , j )Vj + 1 yi , j + 1 (A-4)
Summation of Mole Fractions
∑y i, j − 1.0 = 0 (A-5)
∑x i, j − 1.0 = 0 (A-6)
Stage Efficiency
The stage efficiency as defined by AMSIM is given by:
(V j + SV j ) y i , j − V i , j + 1 y i , j + 1
η? = (A-7)
(V j + SV j ) K i , jx i , j − V i , j + 1 y i , j + 1
Where: S= stage efficiency

i = component number
j = stage number
K = equilibrium ratio
V = molar flow rate of vapor
x = mole fraction in liquid phase
y = mole fraction in vapor phase
The stage efficiency is a function of the kinetic rate constants for the reactions between each acid gas and
the amine, the physico-chemical properties of the amine solution, the pressure, temperature and the
mechanical tray design variables such as tray diameter, weir height and weir length.

EQUILIBRIUM SOLUBILITY
KENT-EISENBERG MODEL
A model based on the Kent and Eisenberg approach is used to correlate the equilibrium solubility of acid
gases in the amine solutions. The reference articles listed in Appendix G contain experimental data used to
validate the solubility model. Additional unpublished data for DEA, MDEA, MEA/MDEA, and DEA/MDEA
systems have also been incorporated into AMSIM. Improvements have been made to the model to extend
the reliable range to mole loadings between 0.0001 and 1.2 and a proprietary model has been developed to
predict the solubility of acid gas mixtures in tertiary amine solutions. Solubilities of inert components such
as hydrocarbons are modeled using a Henry's constant adjusted for ionic strength effects.
The prediction of equilibrium ratios or K-values involves the simultaneous solution of a set of non-linear
equations that describe the chemical and phase equilibria and the electroneutrality and mass balance of the
electrolytes in the aqueous phase. These equations are provided below. The model is used to interpolate
and extrapolate the available experimental solubility data in AMSIM. For tertiary amines that do not form
carbamate, the equations involving carbamate are eliminated from the model.
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
R1 R2 NH+H2 O↔R1 R2 NH2++OH - (A-8)

R1 R2 R3 N+H2 O↔R1 R2 R3 NH ++OH - (A-9)
R1 R2 NH+CO2 ↔R1 R2 NCOO - +H + (A-10)
H2 O↔H++OH - A-11)
H2S↔H ++HS - (A-12)
CO2 +H 2O↔H + + HCO3 - (A-13)
HS -↔H++S = (A-14)
HCO3 - ↔ H + +CO3= (A-15)
EQUILIBRIUM RELATIONS
 H +   R1R 2 NH 
K1 = (A-16)
 R1R 2 NH 2 + 
 H +   R1R 2 R 3 N 
K2 = (A-17)
 R1R 2 R 3 NH + 

 HCO3 −   R1R 2 NH 
K3 = (A-18)
 R1 R 2 NH 2 +   H 2O 
 H +  OH − 
K4 = (A-19)
 H 2O 
 H +   HS − 
K5 =    (A-20)
 H 2 S 
 H +   HCO 3− 
K6 = (A-21)
CO 2   H 2O 
 H +  S = 
K 7 =   −  (A-22)
 HS 
 H +   HCO3 = 
K8 = (A-23)
 HCO 3− 
PHASE EQUILIBRIA
V
yH 2 S Φ H 2 S P = HH 2 S  H 2 S  (A-24)
V
yCO 2 Φ CO 2 P = H CO  (A-25)
CHARGE BALANCE
 H +  +  R1R 2 NH 2+  +  R1R 2 R 3 NH +  = OH −  +  R1R 2 NCOO −  +  HCO3−  +  HS −  + 2 CO3=  + 2  S = 

(A-26)
MASS BALANCE
C 1, 2 − AMINE =  R1R 2 NH  +  R1R 2 NH 2+  +  R1R 2 NCOO −  (A-27)

C 3 − AMINE =  R1R 2 R3 N  +  R1R 2 R 3 NH +  (A-28)

CCO = ( C1,2-amine+C3-amine ) aCO = [CO 2 ] +  R1R 2 NCOO −  +  HCO3−  + CO3= 
2 2 (A-29)
CH 2S = ( C1,2-amine+C3-amine ) aH 2S = [ H 2 S ] +  HS −  +  S =  (A-30)
The fugacity coefficient of the molecular species is calculated by the Peng-Robinson equation of state:
RT a (T )
P= (A-31)
v − b v (v + b ) + b ( v − b )
For pure components,
a = α (0.45724) R 2TC2 / PC (A-32)
and
b = 0.07780 R TC / PC (A-33)
The temperature dependent quantity α has the following form:
( )
a1/ 2 = 1 + a1 1 − Tr + a 2 (1 − Tr )( 0.7 − Tr ) (A-34)
The parameters α1and α2 are substance dependent and are determined through rigorous regressions against
reliable data.
For mixtures, the equation parameters a and b are estimated by the following mixing rules:
a=∑ ∑j xixj ( a a ) i j
1/ 2  
1− kij 
 
(A-35)
i
∑j xixj 
b1 + b 2 
b=∑  (1−lij ) (A-36)
i 2 
The interaction parameters kij and lij are obtained from DBR's EQUI-PHASE program library.
LI MATHER ELECTROLYTE MODEL

The framework of the thermodynamic model is based on two types of equilibria: vapor-liquid phase
equilibria and liquid-phase chemical equilibria.
PHASE EQUILIBRIA
The vapor-liquid equilibria of the molecular species is given by:
v
i Φ i P = H i xiγ iL
y (A-37)

where Hi is Henry’s constant, P the system vpressure, xi and yi the mole fraction of molecular species i in
L
liquid phase and gas phase, respectively, Φi and γi the fugacity coefficient in gas phase and the activity
coefficient in liquid phase, respectively.
The fugacity coefficient is calculated by the Peng-Robinson equation of state (Peng and Robinson, 1976):
RT a (T )
P= − (A-38)
V − b V (V + b ) + b (V − b )
Where the parameters are obtained from the PVT Pro program library. The activity coefficient is calculated
by the Clegg-Pitzer equation, which will be described below.
CHEMICAL EQUILIBRIA
In case of the single amine-H2S-CO2-H2O systems, the important chemical dissociation reactions are as
follows:
+ +
Amine ⇔ Amine + H (A-39a)
- +
H2S ⇔ HS + H (A-39b)
- +
CO2 + H2O ⇔ HCO3 + H (A-39c)
- +
H2O ⇔ OH + H (A-39d)
- = +
HCO3 ⇔ CO3 + H (A-39e)
- = +
HS ⇔ S + H (A-39f)
The chemical equilibrium constants in the acid gas - amine systems play an important role in the prediction
of the equilibrium solubilities of acid gases in the aqueous amine solutions. The equilibrium constant K can
be expressed by:
K =Π ( x γ ) i i i
βi
(A-40)
In this work, the equilibrium constant is expressed as a function of temperature:
In K = C1 + C2/T + C3 ln T + C4 T (A-41)
Henry’s constant has the same function of temperature as that in Eq. A-41.
In the liquid phase, there are four molecular species:
• Amine, H2O, CO2 and H2S and seven ionic species: Amine+, HCO3-, HS-, H+, OH-, CO3=and S= for the
Amine-H2S-CO2-H2O system.
In the gas phase, there are only four molecular species:

• Amine, H2O, CO2 and H2S.

The determination of the compositions of all molecular and ionic species in both vapor and liquid phases
involves the simultaneous solution of a set of nonlinear equations that describe the phase equilibria and
chemical equilibria, electroneutrality (charge balance) and mass balance of the electrolytes in the aqueous
solution.
THE CLEGG-PITZER EQUATION

The original Pitzer equation (Pitzer, 1973) did not consider the solvent molecules in the system as interacting
particles. Thus it is not suitable for the thermodynamic description of the mixed-solvent systems. In the
Clegg-Pitzer model, all the species in the system were considered as interacting particles. The long-range
electrostatic term and the short-range hard-sphere-repulsive term deduced from the McMillan-Mayer’s
statistical osmoticpressure theory remained unchanged. The excess Gibbs free energy, gex consists of the
long-range Debye-Huckel electrostatic interaction term, gDH and the short-range Margules expansions with
two- and three-suffix, gs:
ex DH s
g =g +g (A-42)
g DH 4A I
= − x x ln (1 + ρ I x1/ 2 ) + ∑ ∑ x x B g (α I )
c a ca
1/ 2
x (A-43)
RT ρ c a
gs
= ∑∑ aijxixj + ∑∑∑ aijkxixjxk = x1∑ xn ∑∑ FcFaWnca + ∑∑ xn xn ' ( Amn ' xn '+ An ' nxn )
RT c a i j k n c a n n'
(A-44)
Where: An’n = 2ann’ + 3an’n
Ann’ = 2ann’ + 3ann’n’’
Wnca = (2wnc+2wna-wca+2unc+2una)/4
Wij = 2aij + 3/2 (aiij + aijj)
uij = 3/2(aiij-aijj)
The expressions of activity coefficient for solvent N and ion M+ are as follows:
2 AxI x3/ 2
ln γ N = 1/ 2
− ∑∑ xc xc Bca exp ( −α I x1/ 2 ) + x1 (1 − xN ) ∑∑ FcFaWNca
1+ ρ Ix c a c a
− xI ∑ ' xn ∑∑ FcFaWnca + ∑ ' xn  ANn xn (1 − 2 xN ) + 2 AnN xN (1 − xN ) 

n c a n
−2∑ ' ∑ 'xnxn ' ( Ann ' xn '+ An ' nxn ) (A-45)
n n'
2 I x 1/ 2 (1 − 2 I x / z M 2 ) 
ln γ M = − z M
+ 2
Ax  ln (1 + ρ I x ) +
1/ 2
1/ 2
 + ∑ x a B M a g (α I x1 / 2 )
 ρ 1+ ρ Ix  a
 zM 2 g (α I x1/ 2 ) 
−∑∑ xc xa Bca  + (1 − zM 2 / 2 I x ) exp ( −α I x1/ 2 )  + 2∑ xn ∑ Fa wnMa
c a  2I x  n a

−∑ xn (1 + x1 ) ∑∑ Fc FaWnca − 2∑ FaW2 Ma + ∑∑ Fc FaW2 ca

n c a a c a
−2∑ ' ∑ 'xnxn ' ( Ann ' xn '+ An ' nxn ) (A-46)
n n'
Where subscripts c, a, and n and n’ represent cation, anion, and molecular species, respectively. The
subscript 2 in Eq. A-46 stands for water. The total mole fraction of ions (xI) is given by
x I = 1 − ∑ xn (A-47)
The cation and anion fractions Fc and Fa are defined for fully symmetrical electrolyte systems by
Fc = 2 xc / xI (A-48)
Fa = 2 xa / xI (A-49)
The mole fraction ionic strength Ix is defined as
I = 1/ 2 ∑ z
x i
2
xl (A-50)
The function of g(x) is expressed by
g(x) = 2[1− (1+ x)exp(−x)] / x 2

(A-51)
Here x =α I = 2I
x
1/ 2 1/ 2
I = 1/ 2 ∑ z i
2
Ci (A-52)
Ax is the Debye-Huckel parameter on a mole fraction basis:
Ax = Aφ (∑ Cn )1/ 2 (A-53)
Ci and Cn are the molar concentrations of the ion i and solvent n, respectively. I is the ionic strength in molar
concentration. Af is the Debye-Huckel parameter, which is a function of temperature, density and dielectric
constant of the mixed solvents. The parameter r is related to the hard-core collision diameter, or distance of
closest approach between ions in solution. An’n and Ann’ are the interaction parameters between and among
the molecular species, respectively. Bca is the hard sphere repulsion parameter between ions and Wnca is the
interaction parameter between ions and between ion and solvent. Parameters An’n, Ann’, Bca and Wnca share
the same function of temperature:
Y = a + b/T (A-54)
The Clegg-Pitzer equations appear to be uncompromisingly long and contain many terms and parameters.
However, it should be pointed out that only a few parameters were used and many terms, such as the

quaternary terms in the original Clegg-Pitzer equations were omitted in this model. It can be seen that only
Ann’, An’n, Bca and Wnca appear in the expressions and are treated as adjustable parameters.
In this model, both water and amine are treated as solvents. The standard state of each solvent is the pure
liquid at the system temperature and pressure. The adopted reference state for ionic and molecular species
is the ideal and infinitely dilute aqueous solution.
PHASE ENTHALPY
Vapor phase enthalpy is calculated by the Peng-Robinson equation-of-state which integrates ideal gas heat
capacity data from a reference temperature. Liquid phase enthalpy also includes the effect of latent heat of
vaporization and heat of reaction.
The absorption or desorption of H2S and CO2 in aqueous solutions of alkanolamine involves a heat effect due
to the chemical reaction. This heat effect is a function of amine type and concentration, and the mole
loadings of acid gases. The heat of solution of acid gases is obtained by differentiating the experimental
solubility data using a form of the Gibbs-Helmholtz equation.
The heat effect which results from evaporation and condensation of amine and water in both the absorber
and regenerator is accounted for through the latent heat term which appears in the calculation of liquid
enthalpy. Water content of the sour gas feed can have a dramatic effect on the predicted temperature
profile in the absorber and should be considered, particularly at low pressures.
SIMULATION OF PLANT FLOWSHEETS
There are six basic flowsheets configurations available in AMSIM.
1. Single Flash Tank

2. Single Absorber
3. Single Regenerator
4. Absorber and Regenerator
5. Two Absorbers
6. Two Absorbers and A Regenerator
When modelling DEPG process, only the first four flowsheet options are available. Within each of the basic
flowsheets there are several options that allow users to customize the flowsheet to meet their specific
requirements.
A sequential modular approach is used to organize the simulation of each unit operation and to promote the
closure of overall process energy and material balances when the flowsheet contains material recycle. The
flowsheet calculation uses the composition of the recycle lean and semi-lean amine streams to determine
whether the problem has converged. Initial estimates of the acid gas residual loadings in the amine streams
are supplied to the program. The simulator proceeds to solve the flowsheet sequentially to determine the
revised lean and semi-lean amine stream compositions. If the assumed and revised compositions agree

within a specified tolerance, the flowsheet calculation has converged. If not, the program cycles through the
flowsheet again using a direct substitution method.
INITIAL CALCULATION METHODOLOGY
For the absorbers, AMSIM uses approximate acid gas heats of solution and liquid heat capacities to
estimate the temperature on each stage. In the regenerator, the saturation temperature of the solvent
solution on each stage is used as an initial value.
The stage efficiencies used in the AMSIM program are known to be functions of the mechanical tray
dimensions. The program requires values for the internal column diameter, the outlet weir length and the
outlet weir height. AMSIM will make the initial stage efficiency estimation, but the user has the option of
overwriting these initial values.
AMSIM uses the initial vapor and liquid profile data to determine the required tower diameter. The hot
liquid flow rate on each stage provides an estimate of the required downcomer area and weir length. The
weir height is initialized according to the estimated tower diameter.
AMSIM estimates the efficiencies using the vapor, liquid and temperature profiles as well as the
mechanical tray dimensions, but the user can override these values. Stage efficiencies range from 0.0 to 1.0.
Theoretical stages can be simulated by manually specifying 1.0 for the stage efficiency.
The reboiler is always considered as a theoretical stage; therefore its efficiency is 1.0 and cannot be
specified.

APPENDIX G: REFERENCES
1. Atwood, K., M.R. Arnold and R.C. Kindrick, "Equilibria for the System, Ethanolamines-
Hydrogen Sulfide Water", Ind. Eng. Chem., 49, 1439-1444, 1957.
2. Austgen, D.M., G.T. Rochelle and C.-C. Chen, "Model of Vapour-Liquid Equilibria for Aqueous
Acid Gas Alkanolamine Systems", Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 03, 543-555, 1991.
3. Bosch, H., "Gas-Liquid Mass Transfer with Parallel Reversible Reactions-III. Absorption of CO2
into Solutions of Blends of Amines", Chem. Eng. Sci., 44, 2745-2750, 1989.
4. Carroll, J.J., F.-Y. Jou, A.E. Mather and F.D. Otto, "The Distrubution of Hydrogen Sulfide
between an Aqueous Amine Solution and Liquid Propane", Fluid Phase Equilibria, 82, 183-190,
1993.
5. Carroll, J.J., F.-Y Jou, A.E. Mather, and F.D. Otto, “The Solubility of Methane in Aqueous
Solutions of Monoethanolamine, Diethanolamine and Triethanolamine”, Submitted to the
Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 1997.
6. Chakravarty, T., "Solubility Calculations for Acid Gases in Amine Blends", Ph.D. Dissertation,
Clarkson College,Potsdam, NY, 1985.
7. Danckwerts, P.V., and M.M. Sharma, "The Absorption of Carbon Dioxide into Solutions of
Alkalis and Amines",The Chemical Engineer, No.202, CE244-CE279, 1966.
8. Deshmukh, R.D. and A.E. Mather, "A Mathematical Model for Equilibrium Solubility of
Hydrogen Sulfide and Carbon Dioxide in Aqueous Alkanolamine Solutions", Chem. Eng. Sci.,
36, 355-362, 1981.
9. Dingman, J.C., "How Acid Gas Loadings Affect Physical Properties of MEA Solutions Pet.
Refiner, 42, No.9, 189-191, 1963. Dow Chemical Company, "Alkanolamines Handbook", Dow
Chemical International, 1964.
10. Isaacs, E.E., F.D. Otto and A.E. Mather, "Solubility of Mixtures of H2S and CO2 in a
Monoethanolamine Solution at Low Partial Pressures", J. Chem. Eng. Data, 25, 118-120, 1980.
11. Jou, F.-Y., A.E. Mather, and F.D. Otto, "Solubility of H2S and CO2 in Aqueous
Methyldiethanolamine Solutions",Ind. Eng. Chem. Process Des. Dev., 21, 539-544, 1982.
12. Jou, F.-Y., F.D. Otto and A.E. Mather, "Solubility of H2S and CO2 in Triethanolamine
Solutions",Presented at the AIChE Winter National Meeting, Atlanta, Georgia, March 11-14,
1984.
13. Jou, F.-Y., F.D. Otto and A.E. Mather, "Solubility of Mixtures of H2S and CO2 in a
Methyldiethanolamine Solution", Paper 140b, Presented at the AIChE Annual Meeting, Miami
Beach, Florida, Nov.2-7, 1986.

14. Jou, F.-Y., J.J. Carroll, A.E. Mather and F.D. Otto, "The Solubility of Mixtures of Hydrogen
Sulfide and Carbon Dioxide in Aqueous Methyldiethanolamine Solutions", J. Chem. Eng. Data,
38, 75-77, 1993.
15. Jou, F.Y., J.J. Carroll, A.E. Mather and F.D. Otto, “The Solubility of Carbon Dioxide and
Hydrogen Sulfide in a 35 wt% Aqueous Solution of Methyldiethanolamine”,
16. The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 71, 264-268, 1993.
17. Jou, F.-Y., F.D. Otto, A.E. Mather, “Vapor-Liquid Equilibrium of Carbon Dioxide in Aqueous
Mixtures of Monoethanolamine and Methyldiethanolamine”, Industrial & Engineering
Chemistry Research, 33, 2002-2005,1994.
18. Jou, F.-Y., A.E. Mather, F.D. Otto and J.J. Carroll, “Experimental Investigation of the Phase
Equilibria in the Carbon Dioxide-Propane-3 M MDEA System”,Industrial & Engineering
Research, 34, 2526-2529, 1995.
19. Jou, F.-Y., A.E. Mather and F.D. Otto, “The Solubility of CO2 in a 30 Mass Percent
Monoethanolamine Solution”, the Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 73, 140-147,
1995.
20. Jou, F.-Y., J.J. Carroll, A.E. Mather and F.D. Otto, “Phase Equilibria in the System n-butane-
watermethlydiethanolamine”, Fluid Phase Equilibria”, 116, 407-413, 1996.
21. Jou, F.-Y., F.D. Otto, A.E. Mather, “Solubility of Mixtures of Hydrogen Sulfide and Carbon
Dioxide in Aqueous Solutions of Triethanolamine”, Journal of Chemical and Engineering Data,
41, 1181-1183, 1996.
22. Jou, F.-Y., F.D. Otto, A.E. Mather, “Solubility of Ethane in Aqueous Solutions of
Triethanolamine”, Journal of Chemical Engineering Data, 41, 794-795, 1996.
23. Jou, F.-Y., F.D. Otto, A.E. Mather, “The Solubility of Mixtures of H2S and CO2 in an MDEA
Solution”, The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 75, 1997.
24. Jou, F.Y., J.J. Carroll, A.E. Mather and F.D. Otto, “The Solubility of Methane and Ethane in
Aqueous Solutions of Methyldiethanolamine”, Submitted to the Journal of Chemical and
Engineering Data, 1997.
25. Kahrim, A. and A.E. Mather, "Enthalpy of Solution of Acid Gases in DEA Solutions", Presented
at the 69th AIChE Annual Meeting, Chicago, Illinois, Nov.28-Dec.2, 1976.
26. Katz, D.L., D. Cornell, R. Kobayashi, F.H. Poettmann, J.A. Vary, J.R. Elenbaas and C.F.
Weinaug, "Handbook of Natural Gas Engineering", McGraw-Hill, New York, 1959.
27. Kent, R.L., and B. Eisenberg, "Better Data for Amine Treating", Hydrocarbon Processing, 55,
No.2, 87-90, 1976.
28. Kohl, A.L. and F.C. Riesenfeld, "Gas Purification", 4th Ed., Gulf Publishing Co., Houston, Texas,
1985.

29. Lal, D., E.E. Isaacs, A.E. Mather and F.D. Otto, "Equilibrium Solubility of Acid Gases in
Diethanolamine and Monoethanolamine Solutions at Low Partial Pressures", Proceedings of
the 30th Annual Gas Conditioning Conference, Norman, Oklahoma, March 3-5, 1980.
30. Lawson, J.D., and A.W. Garst, "Gas Sweetening Data:Equilibrium Solubility of Hydrogen
Sulfide and Carbon Dioxide in Aqueous Monoethanolamine and Aqueous Diethanolamine
Solutions", J. Chem. Eng. Data, 21, 20-30, 1976.
31. Lawson, J.D., and A.W. Garst, "Hydrocarbon Gas Solubility in Sweetening Solutions :
Methane and Ethane in Aqueous Monoethanolamine and Diethanolamine", J. Chem. Eng.
Data, 21, 30-32, 1976.
32. Lee, J.I., F.D. Otto, and A.E. Mather, "Solubility of Carbon Dioxide in Aqueous Diethanolamine
Solutions at High Pressures", J. Chem. Eng. Data, 17, 465-468, 1972.
33. Lee, J.I., F.D. Otto, and A.E. Mather, "Solubility of Hydrogen Sulfide in Aqueous
Diethanolamine Solutions at High Pressures", J. Chem. Eng. Data, 18, 71-73, 1973a.
34. Lee, J.I., F.D. Otto, and A.E. Mather, "Partial Pressures of Hydrogen Sulfide over Aqueous
Diethanolamine Solutions", J. Chem. Eng. Data, 18, 420, 1973b.
35. Lee, J.I., F.D. Otto, and A.E. Mather, "The Solubility of Mixtures of Carbon Dioxide and
Hydrogen Sulphide in Aqueous Diethanolamine Solutions", Can. J. Chem. Eng., 52, 125-127,
1974a.
36. Lee, J.I., F.D. Otto and A.E. Mather, "The Solubility of H2S and CO2 in Aqueous
Monoethanolamine Solutions", Can. J. Chem. Eng., 52, 803-805, 1974b.
37. Lee, J.I., F.D. Otto and A.E. Mather, "Solubility of Mixtures of Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen
Sulfide in 5.0 N Monoethanolamine Solution", J. Chem. Eng. Data, 20, 161-163, 1975.
38. Lee, J.I., F.D. Otto and A.E. Mather, "Equilibrium in Hydrogen Sulfide-Monoethanolamine-
Water System", J.Chem. Eng. Data, 21, 207-208, 1976a.
39. Lee, J.I., F.D. Otto and A.E. Mather, "The Measurement and Prediction of the Solubility of
Mixtures of Carbon Dioxide and Hydrogen Sulphide in a 2.5 N Monoethanolamine Solution",
Can. J. Chem. Eng., 54, 214-219, 1976b.
40. Lee, J.I., F.D. Otto and A.E. Mather, "Equilibrium Between Carbon Dioxide and Aqueous
Monoethanolamine Solutions", J. Appl. Chem. Biotechnol., 26, 541-549, 1976c.
41. Lee, J.I. and A.E. Mather, "Solubility of Hydrogen Sulfide in Water", Ber. Bunsenges z. Phys.
Chem., 81, 1020-1023, 1977. Mason, D.M. and R.Kao, "Correlation of Vapor-Liquid Equilibria
of Aqueous Condensates from Coal Processing" in Thermodynamics of Aqueous Systems with
Industrial Applications, S.A. Newman, ed., ACS Symp. Ser., 133,107-139, 1980.

42. Murzin, V.I., and I.L. Leites, "Partial Pressure of Carbon Dioxide Over Its Dilute Solutions in
Aqueous Aminoethanol", Russian J. Phys. Chem., 45, 230-231, 1971.
43. Nasir, P. and A.E. Mather, "The Measurement and Prediction of the Solubility of Acid Gases in
Monoethanolamine Solutions at Low Partial Pressures", Can. J. Chem. Eng., 55, 715-717,
1977.
44. Otto, F.D., A.E. Mather, F.-Y. Jou, and D. Lal, "Solubility of Light Hydrocarbons in Gas Treating
Solutions", Presented at the AIChE Annual Meeting, Paper 21b, San Francisco, California,
November 25-30, 1984.
45. Peng, D.-Y., and D.B. Robinson, "A New Two-Constant Equation of State",Ind. Eng. Chem.
Fundam., 15, 59-64,1976.
46. Pitzer, K.S., “Thermodynamics of Electrolytes. I. Theoretical Basis and General Equations,” J.
Phys. Chem., 268,1973.
47. Rangwala, H.A., B.R. Morrell, A.E. Mather and F.D. Otto, "Absorption of CO2 into Aqueous
Tertiary Amine/MEA Solutions", Can. J. of Chem. Eng., 70, 482-490, 1992.
48. Seibert, A.F. and J.R. Fair, "Hydrodynamics and Mass-Transfer Spray and Packed Liquid-Liquid
Extraction Columns", Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 27, 470-481, 1988.
49. Seibert, A.F. and J.R. Fair, "Mass-Transfer Efficiency of a Large-Scale Sieve Tray Extractor",
Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.,32, 2213-2219, 1993.
50. Tomcej, R.A. and F.D. Otto, "Computer Simulation and Design of Amine Treating Units",
Presented at the 32nd Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference, Vancouver, British
Columbia, Oct.3-6,1982.
51. Tomcej, R.A., F.D. Otto and F.W. Nolte, "Computer Simulation of Amine Treating Units",
rd
Presented at the 33 Annual Gas Conditioning Conference, Norman, Oklahoma, March 7-9,
1983.
52. Tomcej, R.A., "Simulation of Amine Treating Units Using Personal Computers", Presented at
the 35th Canadian Chemical Engineering Conference, Calgary, Alberta, Oct.5-8, 1985.
53. Tomcej, R.A. and F.D. Otto, "Improved Design of Amine Treating Units by Simulation using
Personal Computers",Presented at the World Congress III of Chemical Engineering, Tokyo,
Japan, September 21-25, 1986.
54. Tomcej, R.A., D. Lal, H.A. Rangwala and F.D. Otto, "Absorption of Carbon Dioxide into
Aqueous Solutions of Methyldiethanolamine", Presented at the AIChE Annual Meeting, Miami
Beach, Florida, Nov.2-7, 1986.

55. Tomcej, R.A., F.D. Otto, H.A. Rangwala and B.R. Morrell, "Tray Design for Selective
Absorption", Presented at the 37th Annual Laurance Reid Gas Conditioning Conference,
Norman, Oklahoma, March 2-4, 1987.
56. Treybal, R.E., "Mass-Transfer Operations", Third Edition, McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1980. Union
Carbide Corporation, "Gas Treating Chemicals", Union Carbide Petroleum Processing,
Chemicals and Additives, 1969.
57. Versteeg, G.F., J.A.M. Kuipers, F.P.H. Van Beckum and W.P.M. Van Swaaij, “Mass Transfer
with Complex Reversible Chemical Reactions - I. Single Reversible Chemical Reaction”,Chem.
Eng. Sci., 44, 2295-2310,1989.
58. Winkelman, J.G.M., S.J. Brodsky and A.A.C.M. Beenackers, “Effects of Unequal Diffusivities
on Enhancement Factors of Reversible Reactions: Numerical Solutions and Comparison with
Decoursey's Method”, Chem. Eng. Sci., 47, 485-489, 1992.
59. Zhang, D., M. Razzaghi and H.-J. Ng, “Modelling of Acid Gas Treating with Blended Amines”,
Proceeding of the 72nd GPA Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas, March 15-17, 1993.
60. Zhang, D. and H.-J. Ng, “Modelling of Liquid Hydrocarbon Sweetening with Amine Solutions”,
Proceeding of the 75th GPA Annual Convention, Denver, Colorado, March 11-13, 1996.
61. Zhang, D., G. Zhao, H.-J. Ng, et. al. "An Electrolyte Model for Amine Based Gas Sweetening
Process Simulation",Proceeding of the 78th GPA Annual Convention, Nashville, Tennessee,
March 1-3, 1999.
62. Zhang, D., et al. “Modelling of Acid Gas Treating Using AGR Physical Solvent”, Proceeding of
the 78th GPA Annual Convention, Nashville, Tennessee, March 1-3, 1999.
63. Zhang, D. and G. Zhao, “Representation of the GPA Gas-Amine Solubility Data Using the Li-
Mather Electrolyte Model”, Proceeding of the 81st GPA Annual Convention, Dallas, Texas,
March 11-13, 2002.
64. Chen, J., G. Zhao and D. Zhang, “A Rigorous Simulation Method for Gas Sweetening Process
using Packed Columns”, Aspen World 2002, Washington, DC, Oct. 27 - Nov. 1, 2002.
65. Chen, J., G. Zhao and D. Zhang, “Acid Gas Removal using Packed Columns”, Proceeding of the
82nd GPA Annual Convention, San Antonio, Texas, March 10-12, 2003.

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AMSIM

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AMSIM 2013.1 User Manual

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Trademarks AMSIM is trademark of DBR Technology Center, Schlumberger Canada Limited

Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Windows 2000/XP/Vista/7, and Microsoft Excel are

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FLASH TANK ..................................................................................................................................................... 55

APPENDIX F: TECHNICAL BACKGROUND..................................................................................... 105

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AMSIM 2013.1 User Manual

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION TO AMSIM

NEW CAPABILITIES IN VERSION 2013.1

New capabilities of AMSIM 2013.1 include:

1. Methanol is added as physical solvent for sour gas treating

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NEW CAPABILITIES IN VERSION 2012.1

New capabilities of AMSIM 2012.1 include:

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2. The following new components have been added:

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CHAPTER 2: INSTALLATION AND SETUP

• 70 MB free hard disk space

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LOCAL LICENSE FILE

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DBR License Manager Monitor Window

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Select Security Type Window – License Manager Security Type

Prompted Window to Enter the Server Computer Name

Network User License

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1. Insert the DBR software Installation CD into the CD-ROM drive.

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ACCESSING ONLINE HELP

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CHAPTER 3: GETTING STARTED

STARTING AND EXITING AMSIM

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