Current development and challenges in the intensified absorption technology for natural gas purification at offshore condition

The continuously increasing of sour natural gas reservoirs worldwide necessitate a highly efficient CO2 removal technology for offshore application. Therefore, the intensification technology for absorption attaches research interest to address this issue. This review covers the intensification factor, operating feasibility and perspective for each potential technology. Microchannel reactor offers the highest ideal intensification factor but suffers from offshore operation difficulties. Even-though high frequency ultrasonic reactor and rotating packed bed demonstrate high flexibility for long-term operation, yet both technologies require high energy consumption. Combination of hollow fibre membrane contactor and rotating packed bed is suggested to optimize the overall absorption process.