Techno-Economical Feasibility Study on Heat Pipes Applications in Operational Units of Khangiran Gas Refinery

Availability and greener combustion of natural gas (NG), as one of the biggest energy sources, has led to many attentions to NG in the world. Heat losses from various operation units of a gas refinery usually occurs. So the efficient recovery of the waste heats should be properly considered. In this article after a brief review on the specification and different types of heat pipes, their feasibility on the heat recovery in a typical gas refinery is investigated. Three units of Sarakhs’ gas refinery, as a case study, have been chosen for this purpose. Heat recovery using heat pipes in gas treating unit (GTU), Sulfur recovery unit (SRU) and Topping plant of Sarakhs’ refinery is investigated from technical and economical point of view. The obtained results indicate that waste heat recovery by heat pipes in various units of Sarakhs’ refinery can be led to1.8 million dollars saving per year.