GAS PROCESSING

SELEXOLTM PROCESS

The Selexol process uses a physical solvent to remove PRODUCTS AND FEEDSTOCKS
acid gas from streams of synthetic or natural gas. The Acid gas partial pressure is the key driving force for the
process may be regenerated either thermally, by flash- Selexol process. Typical feed conditions range between
ing, or by stripping gas. The Selexol process is ideally 300 and 2000 psia with acid gas composition (CO2 +
suited for the selective removal of H2S and other sulfur H2S) from 5% to more than 60% by volume. The prod-
compounds, or for the bulk removal of CO2. uct specifications achievable depend on the application
and can be anywhere from ppmv up to percent levels of
The Selexol process uses Union Carbide’s Selexol sol-
acid gas.
vent, a physical solvent made of a dimethyl ether of
polyethylene glycol. The Selexol solvent is chemically
inert and is not subject to degradation.
EXPERIENCE
The Selexol process
The Selexol process also removes COS, mercaptans, was introduced over
ammonia, HCN and metal carbonyls. A variety of flow 30 years ago. As of
schemes permit process optimization and energy reduc- May 2002, there are
tion. The Selexol process allows for construction of 55 Selexol units in
mostly carbon steel due to its non-aqueous nature and commercial service.
inert chemical characteristics. The Selexol process
continues to be used
APPLICATIONS in a wide variety of
applications, ranging
The Selexol process can be tailored for either bulk or
from natural gas to
trace acid gas removal. It is primarily used in the fol-
synthetic gas, and has
lowing applications and markets:
been the dominant
 Selective removal of H2S and COS in integrated acid-gas removal system
gasification combined cycle (IGCC), with high selection in gasification
CO2 rejection to product gas (85% + ) and high project awards within
sulfur (25% to 80%) feed to the Claus unit the past three years.
 Selective removal of H2S/COS plus bulk removal
of CO2 in gasification for high purity H2 genera-
tion for refinery or fertilizer use
 Natural gas treating to achieve either LNG or
pipeline specification with dew-point reduction
Design packages ranging from functional process speci-
fications through a complete UOP Schedule A are
Photos of
offered to support this technology. As with all our
recent Selexol
processes, service is always readily available through
UOP’s worldwide technical service organization. IGCC startup
 Selexol Process

Acid Gas
Cooler Acid Gas
Treated
Gas
Selexol Acid Gas
Lean Stripper Knock-Out
Solution Drum
Selexol Filter
Absorber
Make-Up
Water
Lean Reflux
Solution Pump
Cooler Lean
Solution
Pump

Feed
Gas

Rich Flash Lean/Rich

Drum Exchanger
Selexol
Lean Reboiler
Solution
Pump

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Selexol technological services are available on request.
For more information, contact your local UOP sales
office or UOP’s Gas Processing business in the USA at:

Phone: (713) 744-2860

Fax: (713) 744-2802
E-mail: GasProc@uop.com

uop TM

©2002 UOP LLC. All rights reserved UOP LLC

This information is not to be taken as a warranty or representation for which UOP
assumes legal responsibility nor as permission or recommendation to practice any 25 East Algonquin Road
patented invention without a license. It is offered solely for your consideration. Des Plaines, IL 60017-5017
UOP 3205-4a 0502GP1D www.uop.com