Interesting optimization finding. A gas plant was operating in what appeared to be pretty good shape. Ethane recoveries were right around 90%, which are not bad, but below the design recovery of 95%. RCE engineers gathered some data and did a simulation match. In this particular GSP configuration the operator has control over the inlet gas flow rate to the Side Reboiler. What we found is that the Side Reboiler duty was much higher than the original design and that this was costing the plant to lose about 5% in ethane recovery. So such a simple adjustment (e.g. changing the flow split to the Side Reboiler) can have a pretty big result. Since things were generally running ok, the operators did not feel compelled to change things. Hopefully, our report recommendations will make them realize and result in more NGLs for our client.
