Shell Turbo Technologies: Achieve Solvent Performance and Gas Capacity Improvement Compared to Traditional Column Internals

In recent years, the oil and gas industry has faced increasingly complex challenges, including handling more contaminated resources, adhering to stricter product specifications, maximizing asset efficiency, and minimizing capital and operating costs.

First developed in 2013, Shell Turbo Technologies (STT) include Shell Turbo Trays, the patented column internals that were deployed in 2021 and have proven highly effective in addressing these issues. STT allow operators to revamp and debottleneck existing units, boosting capacity. For example, retrofitting the trays in an acid gas removal unit (AGRU) absorber in the Middle East led to a 21% increase in gas rates without modifying other equipment. Additionally, the technology has improved gas production by nearly 60% in a triethylene glycol (TEG) dehydration facility. For greenfield projects, the technology can reduce capital expenditure (capex) for absorbers/contactors by 30–50%, offering a powerful solution for enhancing operational efficiency and cutting costs.

• This presentation will highlight the key benefits of the technology for gas processors and refiners looking to revamp underperforming assets and those planning greenfield applications. Specifically, it will:


• summarize technology developed and derisked;


• explain the design fundamentals that enable the technology to unlock performance upgrades;


• present data from two commercial applications: AGRU and TEG dehydration; and


• discuss how this technology can help operators increase processing capacity, tackle operational issues, reduce operating expenditure (opex), and avoid significant capex.