Acid Gas Loading Calculator

Track acid pickup across solvent during shifts. See lean and rich margins before throughput changes. Support absorber tuning with fast practical site calculations daily.

Input Data

Example Data Table

Total Sour Gas (kmol/h) CO₂ (%) H₂S (%) Amine Rate (kg/h) Strength (%) Lean Loading Efficiency (%)
1250 7.8 1.2 185000 32 0.18 94
980 5.4 0.9 142000 30 0.16 92
1600 9.2 1.8 240000 35 0.20 95

Formula Used

Acid gas in feed = Total sour gas flow × (CO₂% + H₂S%) ÷ 100

Absorbed acid gas = Acid gas in feed × Absorption efficiency ÷ 100

Active amine flow = Amine circulation × Amine strength ÷ Amine molecular weight

Rich loading = Lean loading + (Absorbed acid gas ÷ Active amine flow)

Working capacity = Rich loading − Lean loading

Required circulation = Absorbed acid gas ÷ (Target rich loading − Lean loading) × Amine molecular weight ÷ Strength fraction

All loading values are reported as mol acid gas per mol amine. The model is useful for quick absorber checks and operating comparisons.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter total sour gas flow in kmol/h.
  2. Provide feed composition for CO₂ and H₂S.
  3. Enter circulation rate, solvent strength, and molecular weight.
  4. Add lean loading, target rich loading, and removal efficiency.
  5. Press Calculate Loading to display results above the form.
  6. Review rich loading, circulation demand, and loading margin.
  7. Use CSV or PDF export for reporting and shift handover.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does acid gas loading mean?

It is the amount of absorbed acid gas carried by the circulating solvent, usually reported as mol acid gas per mol amine. Higher loading means the solvent is closer to its absorption limit.

2. Why are CO₂ and H₂S entered separately?

They often behave differently in treating systems and affect corrosion, emissions, and solvent selection. Separate entries let you see each component’s contribution to total loading.

3. What is lean loading?

Lean loading is the acid gas content remaining in regenerated solvent before it enters the absorber. Lower lean loading usually provides more working capacity.

4. What is rich loading?

Rich loading is the acid gas content in solvent leaving the absorber. It indicates how much capacity the solvent used while contacting the sour gas stream.

5. Why is a target rich loading needed?

It provides a practical operating ceiling for circulation checks. Comparing actual rich loading with the target helps identify whether solvent flow is adequate.

6. Does this calculator replace process simulation?

No. It is a quick engineering tool for screening and operating review. Detailed design should still use validated simulation, plant data, and laboratory information.

7. What units are used here?

Gas flow is entered in kmol/h, solvent circulation in kg/h, strength in weight percent, and loading in mol acid gas per mol amine.

8. When should I increase circulation?

Consider higher circulation when rich loading approaches the target, treated gas rises, or removal efficiency falls. Verify regeneration performance and solvent condition first.

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Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.