Lean oil absorption recovers LPG from rich gases produced by refinery units

Technology Type
Lean Oil Absorption Process
UserPic
Kokel, Nicolas
9/5/2026 7:25 AM



Refrigerated Lean Oil Absorption PFD | Enhanced from Petroleum Learning Programs


Lean oil absorption is a physical separation process in which a gas stream is contacted counter-currently with a low-volatility hydrocarbon liquid (“lean oil” or “sponge oil” — typically heavy naphthakerosene, or light gas oil, MW ~100–200). Heavier gas components (C2+, primarily C3+) dissolve preferentially into the oil. The “rich oil” is then regenerated by distillation (stripper/deethanizer), recovering the absorbed components as products, and the regenerated “lean oil” is recycled.

Continue reading about Lean oil absorption process here.

The Low-Temperature Lean Oil Absorption unit is designed specifically for ethane (C2) recovery from a rich feed gas. Unlike conventional ambient-temperature absorbers, deep chilling dramatically improves ethane solubility in the absorption oil.

Continue reading about the Refrigerated Lean Oil Absorber here.

#leanoilabsorption  #leanoil  #spongeabsorber  #ethanerecovery  #lpgrecovery  #fccoffgas  #cokeroffgas  #richgas  #refinerygas  #wetgas