Systems and Methods for Enhanced Process Control of Amine Circulation Pumps

The present disclosure relates generally to natural gas processing technology and, more particularly, to methods and systems for controlling the operability of amine gas pumps in a sour gas processing train.

“Sour gas” processing is a procedure common to petroleum refining, natural gas production, and petrochemical operations. Sour gas refers to natural gas that contains significant amounts of hydrogen sulfide (HS) and sometimes carbon dioxide (CO). These impurities may be harmful to processing equipment, to operating users, and to surrounding ecology. To address this potential harm, sour gas is typically “sweetened” to remove HS and COfrom the natural gas stream. One technique to sweeten natural gas utilizes amines (e.g., nitrogen (N) based compounds having a lone pair) to selectively absorb HS and CO, stripping the natural gas from harmful impurities. Often, sour gas processing utilizes complex sour gas processing trains. Control systems for sour gas processing trains may be configured to achieve efficient and effective gas sweetening.

Although current techniques for sour gas processing, and for controlling gas processing trains in particular, are based on technological advancements made over many years, current processing techniques may still be ineffective to achieve ideal sweetening results. For example, control systems for sour gas processing trains may be unreliable and inefficient. Accordingly, there is an impetus to improve sour gas processing technology to overcome current technological challenges by implementing improvements including, for example: enhancing the control systems within a sour gas processing train, reducing inefficiencies associated with amine-based gas processing systems, increasing the throughput of amine-based gas processing systems, reducing errors associated with current control systems, decreasing the cost of amine-based sour gas processing, and the like.

Consequently, there exists a need for further improvements in sour gas processing technology to overcome the aforementioned technical challenges and other challenges not mentioned.

Various details of the present disclosure are hereinafter summarized to provide a basic understanding. This summary is not an exhaustive overview of the disclosure and is neither intended to identify certain elements of the disclosure, nor to delineate the scope thereof. Rather, the primary purpose of this summary is to present some concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form prior to the more detailed description that is presented hereinafter.

According to an embodiment consistent with the present disclosure, an override control component may be described herein. The override control component may include a first memory and first set of one or more processors. The first set of one or more processors may be configured to cause the override control component to receive, from an auto-start logic component, one or more initial control signals generated in response to at least one parameter exiting a threshold range, wherein the at least one parameter exiting the threshold range is caused by an active/standby mode change at one or more amine pumps, to generate one or more control signals based on the one or more initial control signals, and to output the one or more control signals, the one or more control signals configured to cause an adjustment at a flow control valve.

In another embodiment, a control loop may be described. The control loop may include a flow indicator (FI). The control loop may include a flow control valve (FCV). The control loop may include a flow indicator controller (FIC) coupled to the FI and the override control component, the FIC having an auto-start logic component. The control loop may include an override control component coupled to the FCV and comprising a first memory and first set of one or more processors, the first set of one or more processors configured to cause the override control component to receive one or more initial control signals generated in response to at least one parameter exiting a threshold range, wherein the at least one parameter exiting the threshold range is caused by an active/standby mode change at one or more amine pumps, to generate one or more control signals based on the one or more initial control signals, and to output the one or more control signals, the one or more control signals configured to adjust the FCV.

In another embodiment, a method for controlling an amine gas pump system may be described. The method may include receiving, at an override control component, one or more initial control signals generated in response to at least one parameter exiting a threshold range, wherein the at least one parameter exiting the threshold range is caused by an active/standby mode change at one or more amine pumps. The method may include generating one or more control signals based on the one or more initial control signals. The method may include outputting the one or more control signals, the one or more control signals configured to adjust at least one flow control valve.

Other embodiments of the present disclosure provide: an apparatus operable, configured, or otherwise adapted to perform the aforementioned methods as well as those described elsewhere herein; a non-transitory, computer-readable media including computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor of an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the aforementioned methods as well as those described elsewhere herein; a computer program product embodied on a computer-readable storage medium comprising code for performing the aforementioned methods as well as those described elsewhere herein; and an apparatus including means for performing the aforementioned methods as well as those described elsewhere herein. By way of example, an apparatus may include a processing system, or processing systems cooperating over one or more message passing interfaces.

Any combinations of the various embodiments and implementations disclosed herein can be used in a further embodiment, consistent with the disclosure. These and other aspects and features can be appreciated from the following description of certain embodiments presented herein in accordance with the disclosure and the accompanying drawings and claims.

Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawing figures. Like elements in the various figures may be denoted by like reference numerals. Further, in the following detailed description, specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the claimed subject matter. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments disclosed herein may be practiced without these specific details, or with details that are not described herein in the interest of clarity. Thus, in some instances, well-known features have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily complicating the description. Additionally, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the scale of the elements presented in the accompanying drawing figures may vary without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

Sour gas processing trains may be configured to sweeten natural gas using amines, which selectively absorb harmful acidic components such as HS and CO. Sour gas processing systems may utilize complex sour gas processing trains to achieve amine-based sweetening. Processing trains may include (1) a set of pumps and (2) a control system configured to operate the pumps in an active/standby mode. The active/standby mode of operation allows pumps arranged in parallel to operate one-at-a-time (independently) to achieve optimal flow and pressure results within the processing train. In other words, while one pump actively pumps gas through the processing train, the other pump does not pump gas through the processing train. The control system may toggle which pump is active based on the needs of the processing train.

In some cases, when a control system switches the pumps from active to standby mode, or vice versa, the standby pump may immediately commence full operation as the active pump enters standby mode. This may cause a fail-start or a safety trip where the system briefly operates the standby pump at full capacity. Full capacity operation may create inadequate flow, low suction, and the like. Repeated fail-starts and a safety trips may cause energy waste, may inconvenience operating users, and may reduce overall throughput of sweetened natural gas.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an override control system (e.g., an override control scheme and override control component) configured to enhance current processing train control systems. This enhancement may be achieved, for example, by modifying control signals from the control system to precisely actuate one or more flow control valves (FCVs). Controlling the FCVs allows the control system to maintain appropriate flow rate and pressure throughout the processing train, avoiding wasteful and inefficient processing interruptions.

illustrates an example sour gas processing systemthat may incorporate one or more principles of the present disclosure. In at least one embodiment, the sour gas processing systemmay be considered and otherwise referred to as a sour gas processing “train”. As illustrated, the sour gas processing systemincludes a gas processing section or unitand an acid gas handling section or unit.

The gas processing unit(hereafter “the unit”) includes an amine contactor, a plurality of flow paths-that feed the amine contactor, and a flow controllerincluding a flow control valve (FCV)communicably coupled to a flow indicator transmitter (FIT)via control line. The unitfurther includes a flow indicator (FI)and a pressure indicator transmitter (PIT). The unit further includes an amine trim cooler, a pressure indicator (PI), and a PI. The unit further includes FCV, FCV, a first amine pump, a second amine pump, an FIT, an FIT, an FCV, an FCV, a reflow path-, a FCV, and a FCV. The foregoing components will be discussed in further detail below.

The acid gas handling unit(hereafter “the unit”) includes a stripper component, an outputfrom the stripper component, a plurality of flow paths-, a first acid pump, a second acid pump, an FIT, an FIT, a reflow path-, a FCV, and an FCV. The unitfurther includes a PIT, an FI, and a flow path. As depicted, the flow pathmay fluidly couple the unitto the unit. The foregoing components will be discussed in further detail below.

In at least one embodiment, the unitmay facilitate the circulation of an acidic gas to the unitvia flow path. The acidic gas exits the stripper componentvia flow path, which directs the acidic gas to the first and second acid pumps,. In at least one embodiment, the acid pumps,may operate in a duty/standby mode of operation, where one of the acid pumps,is actively pumping the acidic gas, while the other is on standby to save energy. After exiting either of the acid pumps,, the acidic gas is conveyed within flow paths,, respectively. The acidic gas encounters FITalong flow pathand encounters FITalong flow path, then proceeds either to flow pathor to flow pathto be recycled. The FITs,may be configured to monitor and report flow rates of the acidic gas in the flow paths,, respectively.

In some applications, a portion of the acidic gas may be recycled back to the stripper componentvia flow paths,from flow paths,, respectively. The flow of the acidic gas through the flow paths,may be controlled via FCVs,, respectively. The acidic gas may be conveyed from flow paths,to flow path, which conveys the acidic gas back to the stripper component. In at least one embodiment, the stripper componentmay direct the acidic gas to a different system (not shown, e.g., an acid gas enrichment system, a sulfur production plant) via the output. In at least one embodiment, flow pathmay fluidly communicate with flow path, which transfers the acidic gas into the unit.

The unitmay facilitate the flow of the acidic gas to the amine contactor, which may be configured to strip acidic components (e.g., HS) from the acidic gas, thereby “sweetening” the gas for further processing. In at least one embodiment, the unitmay circulate an amine component (e.g., an amine aqueous solution). As illustrated in, the acidic gas enters unitalong flow pathand enters the amine trim cooler, which may be configured to facilitate cooling of amines introduced into the acidic gas as it enters the.

After being discharged from the amine trim cooler, the acidic gas proceeds via flow pathand the PIs,monitor and measure pressure within the flow path. From flow path, the acidic gas may be conveyed into one or both of flow paths,, and FCVs,operate to regulate flow into the flow paths,, respectively. In flow path, the acidic gas is conveyed to the first amine pump, and in flow path, the acidic gas is conveyed to the second amine pump. In at least one embodiment, PImay have a function distinct from PI.

In at least one embodiment, the first and second amine pumps,may operate in a duty/standby mode of operation, where one of the amine pumps,is actively pumping the acidic gas, while the other remains on standby. In one example, when the first amine pumpis active, FCVsandare open, and FCVsandare closed while the second amine pumpis in standby mode. In another example, when the second amine pumpis active, the FCVsandare open, and FCVsandis closed, while the first amine pumpis in standby mode. In at least one embodiment, when the acidic gas exits the first amine pump, it proceeds along flow pathand FITmonitors the flow rate to FCV. Similarly, when the acidic gas exits the second amine pump, it proceeds along flow pathand FITmonitors the flow rate to FCV.

In at least one embodiment, a portion of the acidic gas discharged from the amine pumps,may be recycled back to the amine trim coolervia flow paths-. As illustrated, the flow pathmay extend from flow pathat a location downstream from FITand upstream from FCV. Moreover, the flow pathmay extend from flow pathat a location downstream from FITand upstream from FCV. In at least one embodiment, recycling of acidic gas travelling along flow pathis facilitated by at least the opening of FCV, and may be further enabled by the closing of FCV. Similarly, recycling of acidic gas travelling along flow pathis facilitated by at least the opening of FCV, and may be further enabled by the closing of FCV. The acidic gas may travel along flow pathsandto flow path, where it returns to the amine trim coolerfor further processing.

In at least one embodiment, acidic gas that is not recycled to the amine trim cooleris directed to flow path. The pressure and flow rate of the acidic gas within flow pathmay be monitored with the PITand the FI, respectively. The flow controllermay be configured to control the flow of acidic gas to the amine contactorby transmitting acidic gas flow measurements from FITto FCVvia control line. More specifically, the flow controllermay be able to control (e.g., throttle) the rate of flow and pressure within unitusing at least one FCV of the system(e.g., FCV). The control linemay be a wireless connection, a wired connection, or both, though other types of connection are contemplated. In at least one embodiment, the acidic gas exits the flow controllerand travels along flow pathto enter the amine contactorwhere the acidic gas is stripped of its acidic component.

In one non-limiting example, the stripper componentis upstream from the acid pumps,, the FITs,, the PIT, the FI, and each of the components of unit. Moreover, the stripper componentis located downstream from FCVand FCV. The first acid pumpoperates in parallel with the second acid pump. FIT, PIT, FI, and each of the components of unitare downstream from pump. FIT, PIT, FI, and each of the components of unitare downstream from pump. FCVis downstream from FITand upstream from the stripper component. FCVis downstream from FITand upstream from the stripper component.

In one non-limiting example, the amine trim componentis upstream from PI, PI, FCV, FCV, pump, pump, FIT, FIT, FCV, FCV, PIT, RI, FIT, FCV, and amine contactor. The amine trim cooler is downstream from FCVand FCV. Pumpoperates parallel to pump. FIT, FV, PIT, FI, each of the components of flow controller, and amine contactorare downstream from pump. FCVis upstream from pump. FIT, FCV, PIT, FI, each of the components of flow controller, and amine contactorare downstream from pump. FCVis upstream from pump. FCVis downstream from FITand upstream from the amine trim cooler. FCVis downstream from FITand upstream from the amine trim cooler. Amine contactoris downstream from each of the other components of unitand each of the components of unit.

In at least one embodiment, the first and second amine pumps,(and optionally the acid pumps,) are capable of supporting an auto-start logic scheme (i.e., method). The auto-start logic may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium on a computer system in communication with the amine pumpsand(e.g., the computer systemof). In some cases, the auto-start logic scheme may be stored at one or more flow controller (FICs) (e.g., the FICof) associated with the computer system. The FIC(s) may have at least a memory and one or more processors having computer readable instructions stored thereon, which are capable of implementing the auto-start logic scheme. The one or more processor(s) may be central processing units (CPUs). Where there is more than one FIC, each FIC may operate independent from one another or as part of the same network of controllers. Where multiple FICs are part of the same network of controllers, they may operate in sequence with one another, in parallel with one another, as physical components of a shared virtual machine, or as components of server-less network capable of processing decomposed flow data. One example of an FIC implemented in systemis further illustrated in.

illustrates an example control loopas applied in the unitof. As illustrated, the control loopincludes an FIC, a FCV, a FI, communication linesand, and a flow path. The FCVmay be considered similar to FCVand/or FCV. The FImay be considered similar to FIand/or. The flow pathmay be considered similar to flow pathand/or flow path. Acidic gas may be conveyed within the flow path, past the FI, and towards the FCV. The FICmay receive information (e.g., flow rate data, etc.) from the FIvia the communication line, and based on the data received from the FI, the FICmay be configured to communicate with and control the FCVvia the communication line. The communication lines,may comprise wireless connections, wired connections, or both, though other types of connection (communication) are contemplated. In at least one embodiment, the FICmay include multiple FICs. In at least one embodiment, the FICmay be connected to (in communication with) other FICs within systemofvia a master controller (not shown).

The FIC(s) (e.g., FICof) may be capable of communicating with each of the components of the system() discussed herein (e.g., any of FCVs,,,,,,,, and). The auto-start logic scheme at the FIC(s) is a control scheme that may be capable of facilitating active/standby mode at each of the pumps. In one non-limiting example, the auto-start logic scheme may maintain the first amine pumpin an active state, while maintaining the second amine pumpin an idle state. Based on a trigger or signal, the auto-start logic scheme may reverse the state of pumpsand, placing the second amine pumpin an active state and the first amine pumpin an idle state. Based on another trigger or signal, the auto-start logic scheme may again reverse the state of the amine pumpsand, placing the first amine pumpin an active state and the second amine pumpin an idle state. In another non-limiting example, the auto-start logic scheme may maintain the second amine pumpin an active state, while maintaining the first amine pumpin an idle state.

In at least one embodiment, the auto-start logic scheme may operate autonomously. In other embodiments, however, the auto-start logic scheme may be operated according to user input. In at least one embodiment, the auto-start logic scheme may be active any time a system (e.g., systemof) is operational, or may be active only according to need of the user.

The auto-start logic scheme may be capable of ceasing operation of an active pump based on certain threshold values, switching full operation instead to the standby pump. The threshold values may include a pump capacity percentage value, a low flow threshold value for a common discharge header flow, a suction value, a pump capacity value, and the like. The active pump may fail to meet a threshold defined at the FIC(s) pumps when, for example, a common discharge header value drops below the setpoint of about 45% or more to about 55% or less pump capacity (e.g., for example 50% pump capacity, though other values are contemplated). The active pump may fail to meet a threshold defined at the FIC(s) when, for example, the flow at the common discharge header drops below a threshold of about 600 gallons per minute (GPM) or more to about 660 GPM or less, (e.g., for example 630 GPM, though other values are contemplated).

In some cases, to reverse the active and standby modes of a set of pumps, the FIC(s) may be operable to open an adjacent FCV (e.g., FCV, FCV) to allow more gas flow to the standby pump. In some cases, the FIC(s) may cause the pump in standby mode to start automatically at full capacity. Full capacity flow may be between 1000 GPM or more to about 1400 GPM or less, (e.g., for example 1200 GPM, though other values are contemplated). This may cause an issue where both the active pump and the standby pump temporarily maintain full operational capacity. This may double the flow rate at unit, creating undesirable conditions at unit(e.g., low suction pressure upstream from each of the pumps, shut down (S/D) conditions, emergency shut down (ESD) conditions, low-low suction pressure conditions). In turn, this may cause both pumps to trip or fail as a safety instrumented function (SIF) that protects the pumps against low suction pressure or system vacuums. As a result, the standby pump may fail to start smoothly, wasting energy supplied to systemand reducing the efficiency of the sweetening procedure of system. Where the trip of the active and standby pumps are maintained with no autonomous restart, this may cause the entire systemto cease operation altogether, creating difficult externalities for system operators.

Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure generally relate to natural gas processing technology and, more particularly, to methods and systems for controlling the operability of amine gas pumps in a sour gas processing train. Aspects described herein may enhance the auto-logic control scheme described above by providing an override controller and override control scheme (i.e., method) in communication with each of the one or more FIC(s) (e.g., FICof). The override control scheme is capable of overriding and/or supplementing control signals from the auto-start logic scheme, resulting in enhanced control of the pressure and flow of systemof. By implementing systems and methods discussed according to aspects provided herein, unnecessary pump trips and system stalls may be avoided. This may facilitate more steady and reliable operation for sour gas processing trains.

In at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, a control loop may be implemented in a gas processing system to mitigate the trip effect of the auto-start logic scheme, as described above.illustrates an example control loop. The control loophas an FICcapable of implementing an auto-start logic scheme configured to communicate with an override control componenthaving an override control scheme. The control loopincludes an FIC, an override control component, a FCV, a FI, a communication line, a communication line, a communication line, and a flow path. The FCVmay be considered similar to FCVand/or FCV. The FImay be considered similar to FIand/or. The flow pathmay be considered similar to flow pathand/or flow path. Acidic gas may flow along the flow path, past the FI, and towards the FCV. The FICmay receive flow rate information from the FIvia communication line, and the FICmay be configured to control the FCVbased on the data obtained by the FIvia communication linesand.

In at least one embodiment, the override control componentmay generate one or more signals to send to the FCVvia communication lineand based on one or more initial signals received from the FICvia communication line. The override control componentmay validate or modify the signals received from the FICbased on flow values and pressure values detected within the system. In other embodiments, the override control componentmay cancel signals from the FICbased on flow values and pressure values detected within the system(e.g., via FI(s) and/or PIT(s)). The communication lines,,may comprise wireless or wired communication lines, or both, though other types of communication line are contemplated.

In at least one embodiment, the FICmay include multiple FICs. In at least one embodiment, the FICmay be connected to other FICs within systemofvia a master controller (not shown). In at least one embodiment, the override control componentmay include multiple override control components. In at least one embodiment, the override control componentmay be connected to other override control components within systemofvia a master controller (not shown). In at least one embodiment, the override control scheme is located at the override control componentand operates in sequence with the auto-start logic scheme at the FIC.

According to aspects of the present disclosure, the override control componenthas dedicated resources (e.g., processing resources, memory resources, hardware resources, and/or software resources) which may allow it to effectively process override control scheme commands in order to optimize, for example, the common discharge header value of a system, a suction value of a system, a pump capacity value of a system, and the like. The override control component may achieve this by actuating FCVto a precise actuation position via one or more signals sent from the override control component. Precise actuation may include opening the control value to a minimum flow capacity position, and intermediate flow capacity position, or a maximum flow capacity position. An intermediate flow capacity position may fall between a minimum flow capacity position and a maximum flow capacity position. The flow capacity position may be determined based on flow values and pressure values detected within the system(e.g., via FI(s) and/or PIT(s)). This capability, which may be implemented to override any FIC (e.g., FIC) within a gas processing system (e.g., system), may mitigate the trip effect or fail-start that occurs when an active pump enters standby mode and a standby pump enters active mode. In this manner, the override control scheme may enhance the control system to maintain system stasis and to avoid processing interruptions.

illustrates a schematic diagram of an example controller, which includes an FIC. Controllermay be implemented as part of control loopofand as part of the gas processing unitof. Within gas processing unit, controllermay be implemented at a single location or at multiple locations and may be a master controller or may be in communication with a master controller by way of a communication line. In at least one embodiment, the communication line may be a wireless communication line, a wired communication line, or both, though other types of communication line are contemplated.

The FICmay be similar to the FICof. The FICmay be capable of communicating with each of the components of the systemdiscussed herein. Where there are more than one FIC, each of the FICsmay operate independent from one another or as part of the same network of controllers. Where multiple FICsare part of the same network of controllers, they may operate in sequence with one another, in parallel with one another, as physical components of a shared virtual machine, or as components of server-less network capable of processing decomposed flow data.

The auto-start logic componentat the FICis a control component that may be capable of facilitating active/standby mode at each of the pumps, as described above with respect to. The auto-start logic componentmay perform operations with the auto-start logic scheme described above with respect to.

Controlleralso includes an override control component, which may be similar to the override control componentof. The override control componentmay be capable of communicating with each of the components of the systemdiscussed herein. Where there are more than one override control component, each of the override control componentsmay operate independent from one another or as part of the same network of controllers. Where multiple override control componentsare part of the same network of controllers, they may operate in sequence with one another, in parallel with one another, as physical components of a shared virtual machine, or as components of server-less network capable of processing decomposed flow data.

The override control componentis a control component that may be capable of relaying, modifying, or cancelling exchange control action signals from the auto-start logic componentto adjust an actuator component (e.g., FCVof) to control downstream pressure, reduce suction, and thus reduce fail-starts and system trips. The override control componentmay perform operations with the override control scheme described above with respect to. In at least one embodiment, the override control componentmay operate autonomously, but may alternatively be operated according to user input. In at least one embodiment, the override control componentmay be active any time a system (e.g., systemof) is operational, or may be active only according to need of the user.

In at least one embodiment, the auto-start logic componentreceives flow information from an FI (e.g., FIof), and detects one or more parameters. If one of the parameters exits (exceeds or falls below) a threshold range assigned to that parameter, the auto-start logicoutputs one or more exchange control action signals to a target FCV (e.g., FCV) to bring the parameters back within the threshold range, or otherwise implements an SIF function. In at least one embodiment, exiting a threshold range includes failing to meet a threshold value. In one example, the system (as indicated by an FI) may fail to meet a threshold when a common discharge header value drops below the setpoint of about 45% or more to about 55% or less pump capacity (e.g., for example 50% pump capacity, though other values are contemplated). In one example, the system (as indicated by an FI) may fail to meet a threshold when the flow at the common discharge header drops below a threshold of about 600 GPM or more to about 660 GPM or less, (e.g., for example 630 GPM, though other values are contemplated). In one example, the system (as indicated by an FI) may fail to meet a threshold when a suction pressure value drops below the setpoint. In at least one embodiment, the pressure value setpoint may be about 65 pounds per square inch/gauge (PSIG) or more to about 80 PSIG or less (e.g., 73 PSIG), though other values are contemplated. In one example, the system may exit a threshold range when the maximum capacity of a system component (e.g., a pump) is reached.

In at least one embodiment, the override control componentmay receive the one or more exchange control action signals directed to the target FCV and may process the signals according to the needs of the system. In some cases, the override control componentmay generate one or more new signals based on the received exchange control action signals. In at least one embodiment, the override control systemgenerates the one or more new signals by adjusting the signals to optimally control the target FCV, thus controlling the flow and pressure of the system to mitigate potential interruption. In at least one embodiment, the override control systemgenerates the one or more new signals by first validating the efficacy of the signals received from the auto-start logic component, and then reproducing the received signals to effectively relay them to the target FCV. In at least one embodiment, the override control systemgenerates the one or more new signals by cancelling the received signals and either transmitting a null signal to the target FCV or ending the signal flow (transmission).

The override control componentmay operate across multiple controllers. In one example, an active pump may be controlled by a controller, and a standby pump may be controlled by a different controller. Each of the controllersmay communicate common information to optimize system performance, as discussed herein. Controllermay communicate, for example, via communication component.

In at least one embodiment, override control componentmay be linked to an anti-wind up reset component (not shown) in order to provide feedback signals to a master controller. The anti-wind reset component may facilitate a pumpless control scheme. An anti-windup mechanism may prevent integral windup, which occurs when a controller's integral term accumulates error even when the actuator (e.g., an FCV) is saturated. This can lead to poor performance of the system.

The auto-start logic componentmay include a CPU processing system, which may be configured to control the operability of amine gas pumps in a sour gas processing train as performed by controller. The CPU processing system of the auto-start logic componentmay include one or more processorscoupled to a computer readable medium/memoryvia a bus. The one or more processorsand the computer readable medium/memorymay communicate via a message passing interface (MPI). In certain aspects the computer readable medium/memoryis configured to store instruction (e.g., computer executable code) that when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the methoddescribed with respect to, or any aspect related to it. Reference to a processor performing a function of controllermay include one or more processors performing that function of controller.

In the depicted example, computer-readable medium/memorystores code (e.g., executable instructions) for receiving, code for generating, and code for outputting. Processing of code-may cause the controllerto perform the methoddescribed with respect to, or any aspect related to it.

The one or more processorsinclude circuitry configured to implement (e.g., execute) the code stored in the computer-readable medium/memory, including circuitry for receiving, circuitry for generating, and circuitry for outputting. Processing with circuitry-may cause the controllerto perform the methoddescribed with respect to, or any aspect related to it.

The override control componentmay include a CPU processing system. The CPU processing system may be configured to control the operability of amine gas pumps in a sour gas processing train as performed by controller. The CPU processing system of the override control componentmay include one or more processors. The one or more processorsare coupled to a computer readable medium/memoryvia a bus. The one or more processorsand the computer readable medium/memorymay communicate via an MPI. In certain aspects the computer readable medium/memoryis configured to store instruction (e.g., computer executable code) that when executed by the one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform the methoddescribed with respect to, or any aspect related to it. Reference to a processor performing a function of controllermay include one or more processors performing that function of controller.