Gas treatment
OVERVIEW AND CHALLENGES
The development of ever more efficient gas treatment technologies is supported by:
- the increase in gas consumption through to 2040 despite a slowdown resulting from the global Covid-19 pandemic, (+ 1.2%/year to 2040*)
- Its contribution to the energy mix to the tune of 25% in 2040* (oil: 28%; coal: 19%; low-carbon energies: 27%) but with regional variations:
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- an increase in countries with carbon-intensive economies (objective of improving air quality and support for manufacturing industry growth), with natural gas continuing to benefit from its low emissions compared to coal;
- slight fall in demand in advanced economies preparing for the transition towards zero net emissions
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The roll-out of blue hydrogen production and use is a factor that will strongly favor CO2 capture processes in different types of syngas.
*(Source IEA - World Energy Outlook 2020, STEPS).
Since around 40% of global natural gas reserves are sour gases, in order to be produced and used, they have to comply with strict specifications governing the sour compounds (CO2 and H2S) and must therefore undergo the appropriate sweetening treatments.
Strict gas network specifications:
CO2 content: < 2,5 %,
Sulfur content of H2S (+ COS): < 5 mgS/m³(n).
IFPEN offers industry a complete range of technologies to sweeten natural gas or capture syngas (equipment, processes, solvents)
and effectively and economically reduce CO2 emissions at source.