CASE STUDY OF EFFECTS OF BICINE

IN CO2 ONLY AMINE TREATER SERVICE

Herb Pearson, Vintage Petroleum Inc

Jenny Shao, Eco-Tec Inc.

Supervisor of Plants and Processes

110 W 7th St, Tulsa, OK 74119
(918) 878 5194; herb.pearson@vintagetul.com

Group Leader Oil and Gas

1145 Squires Beach Rd, Pickering, ON, CAN L1W 3T9
905 427 0077; jshao@eco-tec.com

Don Norton, Coastal Chemical Co. L.L.C.

Sunil Dandekar, Eco-Tec Inc.

Sr Technical Service Engineer

101 S Jacob Lane, Winters, TX 79567
(325) 660 6325; dnorton@brenntagww.com

Ami-Pur Accounts Manager

1145 Squires Beach Rd, Pickering, ON, CAN L1W 3T9
905 427 0077; sdandekar@eco-tec.com

Abstract
An Eco-Tec amine purification unit (AmiPur) was installed in a Vintage Petroleum
facility located in Fillmore, Ventura County, California to reduce bicine concentration in
DEA solution used for CO2 removal from natural gas.
Vintage Petroleum Plant Background
The plant is designed to treat 6.5 million SCF per day of natural gas containing 20 mol %
CO2 and only trace amounts of H2S. The plant uses 30 w/w% DEA circulating at 150
gpm with total inventory of 15,000 USG. The plant started its operation in April 2003.
The plant effectively reduces the inlet CO2 content currently from 12 mol % to about .2
mol %.

Figure 1

Shiells Canyon Treater looking east

Shiells Canyon Treater looking west

Corrosion Problems Encountered

We knew that oxygen in the inlet gas could be a problem for the amine process, so we
tested the amine in early June 2003 and found fairly reasonable levels of HSS. Analysis
data showed 2000 ppm bicine in DEA solution at that time.
As early as July we noticed severe corrosion to be occurring on the amine flash tank level
control valve. See Figure 2. Coastal Chemical, as the DEA supplier, was contacted and
they identified that bicine might be the cause for corrosion. We immediately tested the
amine again for HSS and Bicine. We found that the bicine level was 8166 ppmv.
Coastal Chem advised that high bicine concentration, 1500-8600 ppmv, was likely due to
high oxygen level in the natural gas feed. We measured O2 at 1000 1200 ppmv in the
inlet gas to the CO2 treater.

Figure 2, Flash tank level control valve

Corrosion continued to affect much of the carbon steel construction in the amine piping
system. It was quite rapid. In 3-4 months time we had our first failure - a control valve.
The failure occurred in the body of the valve in the area housing the disc seal. Thereafter,
we experienced numerous valve and flange failures.

Figure
2. amine inlet to flash tank
Figure 3, Block Valve
Rich
In the flange failures, the raised face portion of the seal face corroded to the point where
the gasket could no longer maintain a seal.

Figure 4, Piping at Rich amine sock filter

We also experienced localized pitting on our piping, typically just downstream of

weldments in turbulent components such as 90 degree ells (See Figure 5).

Figure 5. Outlet piping from the amine sock filter

The piping had been designed to be 5 ft/s or less to minimize the erosion effects, but this
obviously did not apply to velocities in control valves.
We observed that the common link of the corrosion defects was high turbulence/high
liquid velocities in areas of carbon steel components and downstream of weldments in
carbon steel piping. The effects of corrosion accelerated when the bicine level exceeded
1500 ppmv.

Bicine and amine plant corrosion

Bicine! What is it? Bicine, also called bis(2-hydroxyethyl)glycine, has been reported as a
degradation product of alkanolamine and alkylalkanoamine solutions 1,2. Bicine, as an
amino acid, has been found in numerous amine gas treating systems including tail gas
treating units, certain refinery services, and some natural gas processing plants. There are
several proposed mechanisms for bicine formation.

The first proposed pathway is the reaction of cyanide with formaldehyde to form bicine4.
A second pathway involves the reaction of DEA with glyoxal to form bicine5. A third
possible pathway is the direct degradation of DEA with O2 to bicine7. Data from DEA
plants with O2 contamination show significant bicine levels. The fourth pathway to bicine
involves a disproportionation reaction of MDEA to TEA and other mixed amines (such
as DEA and MEA) and further oxidation of TEA to bicine4 (see Scheme 1).

CH3N(CH2CH2OH)2

N(CH2CH2OH)3

mixed amines

TEA

MDEA

(HOCH2CH2)2N CH2C-OH
Bicine
Scheme 1

242 samples from a total of 45 plants were analyzed for bicine by Huntsman using its
proprietary method developed specifically for the purpose of measuring bicine in
degraded gas treating solutions. It is clear that samples containing a high concentration of
secondary amine are more likely to display a significant concentration of bicine than are
samples that contain little secondary amine2.
Bicine impacts gas treating amine solutions in two ways. First, it forms Heat Stable
Amine Salts (HSAS) since the carboxylic acid is a strong acid and the amino group is a
weaker base than commonly used gas treating amines. Second, bicine has been thought to
contribute to corrosion of amine plant equipment.
The participation of bicine in the corrosion process as a chelator, rather than a direct
corroder, can be explained in scheme 2:

FeS + bicine

bicine-Fe++ + S=

S= + H2O

HS- + OH-

2 HS- + Fe

FeS + H2 + S=

Scheme 2

Thus, the supply of H2S (HS-) at the metal surface is replenished by the action of the
bicine. Gary etc stated6 that the presence of Bicine alone in the amine system is not
necessarily corrosive. However, bicine is a strong chelator with iron and can initiate, in
the presence of H2S, a fast acting corrosion mechanism.
Bicine was found both in a coal gasification application employing corrosivity results of
carbon steel coupons for various amounts of added bicine (500, 1000, 5000 and 10,000
ppm) to 50% MDEA were studied by Rooney et al1. When the corrosivities are compared
on an equivalent basis, bicine is as corrosive to carbon steel in the liquid as is oxalic acid
(oxalic acid has 2 equivalent of H+, bicine has 1 equivalent H+). It is commonly
recommended1 that level of bicine in MDEA should be less than 250 ppm to keep general
corrosion less than 10 mpy to carbon steel in solution.
Bosen et al3 have shown that bicine and oxalic acid have similar molar effects on the
corrosion of carbon steel when acid gases are absent and corrosion of carbon steel
attributable to bicine is minimized when 10 ppm or higher H2S is present in the amine
solution in contact with the metal surface. It is also indicated3 that bicine is found in a
significant percentage of amine gas treating solutions, both generic and formulated
amines.

Corrosion Remedies
We knew that the corrosion that we were experiencing was due to corrosives in the amine.
We made the decision to change out the DEA with fresh material and regenerate the
removed amine offsite. The cost of onsite leased regeneration was found to be slightly
higher than offsite regeneration including transportation. We also searched for the
sources of the oxygen in our inlet gas. We found that one of our upstream booster
compressors to be a key source. It was operating near atmospheric suction pressure.
With chromatographic gas testing we found that oxygen from the air was being drawn
into the cylinder around the packing due to cylinder pressure being lower than
atmospheric pressure on each stroke of the piston. We simply raised the suction pressure
slightly and eliminated a significant amount of O2 (from 2500 ppmv to 1000-1200 ppmv).
Figure 6 shows the history of bicine concentration. Note that in October we again
changed out the amine but this time we stored the high bicine amine in poly tanks with
the idea that we could reuse this material in the future by treating it with an onsite treater.

BICINE vs IRON
SHIELLS CANYON CO2 TREATER
9000

200

8000

180
160
Identify High
B icine Level

Startup Eco -Tec

Resin Change

140

ppm w Bicine

6000
Resin Change

Change Amine

120

5000
100
4000
Corr P ro be Install

80

Fo und Oil on Resin

3000

ppm w Iron

7000

60
Co rr P ro be Remo ved

2000

40
Regen Amine

1000

20

Bicine

20-Dec-04

14-Dec-04

8-Nov-04

15-Nov-04

26-O ct-04
8-Nov-04

26-O ct-04

18-O ct-04

5-O ct-04

11-O ct-04
11-O ct-04

27-Sep-04

20-Sep-04

8-Sep-04

13-Sep-04
13-Sep-04

8-Sep-04

9-Jul-04
30-Aug-04

18-Jun-04

18-Jun-04

28-May-04

4-May-04

11-May-04
21-May-04

17-Apr-04

8-Jan-04

5-Feb-04
28-Feb-04

17-Dec-03

20-Nov-03

14-O ct-03
16-O ct-03

10-Sep-03

13-Aug-03

3-Jul-03

22-Jul-03
31-Jul-03

3-Jul-03

6-Jun-03

0
5-Apr-03

Iron

Figure 6

However, further corrosion of carbon steel valves and piping continued. Figure 6 shows
that both iron concentration and bicine concentration was still increasing. Since we could
not eliminate the oxygen from our inlet gas, we continued to seek more solutions for our
corrosion problem. After both offsite reclamation and replacement with storage methods
were utilized, it was very obvious that it was too expensive to continue with amine
regeneration and change out every 3 months either onsite or offsite. We decided to
investigate the cost of purchasing an onsite permanent treater to remove bicine and HSS.
Figure 7 shows the relative cost of regenerating the amine for a single event onsite or
offsite, additional onsite storage, the cost of repairs due to corrosion of piping and valves
in 6 months compared with the cost of purchasing and installing a permanent onsite
treater.

Costs Due to Bicine

Relative Cost

Offsite Regen
Onsite Regen
Onsite Storage
Purchase

Offsite

Onsite

Storage

Corr. Repairs
Purchase Eco-Tec

Corrosion

Single Event

Figure 7

Figure 8 shows the costs annualized. The annualized cost column sums the cost of
chemical replacement, onsite storage, and corrosion costs for a year. This is compared to
the cost of purchasing and installing online continuous reclaimer to remove the bicine
and HSS.

RELATIVE COST

Annualized Cost vs Purchase

Offsite Regen Cost

Offsite Regen

Treater Opr Cost

Purchase

Purchase & Install

Treater Opr

Figure 8

Vintage Petroleum decided to purchase and install a continuous reclaimer for bicine
removal. An ion exchange technology unit made by Eco-Tec was chosen for its proven
performance and competitive price. These on-line Eco-Tec Amine Purification
(AmiPur) units are now successfully operating in 25 petroleum refineries and natural
gas plants. An AmiPur model was ordered in November 2003.
The AmiPur unit, which utilizes fully packed resin bed with compressed fine mesh
resin. This unit was able to produce its outlet with <150 ppmv bicine when the inlet
solution has 2900+ ppmv bicine. Overall system bicine dropped down from 2961 ppmv
to 430 ppmv in about one (1) month after system startup.

Introduction of Eco-Tec AmiPur unit

Eco-Tec AmiPur employs ion exchange technology. It has been extensively used since
1973 in many chemical recovery and water treatment systems. Ion exchange technology
is a unique and cost effective on-line amine purification system. Following are its key
features:

Fine particle size resins;

Countercurrent regeneration;
Short column heights (12 inch, 30 cm);
Low resin loading;
Fast flows and short cycles;

There are basically two steps in the operating cycle: amine loading and caustic
regeneration. This cycle is automatically repeated every 10-15 minutes. With the same
HSS removal capacity, AmiPur has the following advantages:

Uses low amount of NaOH for regeneration;

Generates low amount of waste;
Uses small amount of resin;
Low amine losses;
Small skid size.

Figure 9, AmiPur unit as shipped

Figure 10. AmiPur unit installed at Vintage Petroleum

AmiPur performance and operation at Vintage Petroleum

The AmiPur was started up in April 2004 and is designed to remove both bicine and
other heat stable salts anions in the amine solution. During startup, four (4) samples were
taken and analyzed in the same day in order to confirm the performance of the unit, Table
1.
Table 1, AmiPur performance at Vintage Petroleum
Sample #

Bicine concentration before and

after AmiPur (ppm)

Total HSS (wt% as DEA)

Inlet

Outlet

Inlet

Outlet

2961.00

87.3

0.2359

0.0137

2953.00

112.0

0.2452

0.0147

116.0

0.0151

91.5

0.0137

Note:

1. Outlet data has been corrected to volume change.

2. All four (4) samples were taken in the same day, so the inlet solution for sample C and D were
not analyzed.

The bicine concentration in lean DEA solution was 2961 ppm at the time of system
startup. Overall bicine concentration in lean amine solution dropped down to 430 ppm
by May 10, 2004. Bicine was successfully removed by Eco-Tec AmiPur unit utilizing
ion exchange technology From April 04 thru Sept 04. See Figure 11.
BICINE and HSS
Shiells Canyon CO2 Treater

0.6

9000
Carbo n
Lo aded

8000

Carbo n Change

0.5

Resin Change

Startup Eco-Tec

7000

Resin Change

0.3
4000
0.2

3000
2000

0.1
1000
0

Bicine

Total HSS, wt%

Figure 11

20-Dec-04

14-Dec-04

8-Nov-04

15-Nov-04

8-Nov-04

26-Oct-04

26-Oct-04

18-Oct-04

11-Oct-04

5-Oct-04

11-Oct-04

27-Sep-04

20-Sep-04

13-Sep-04

8-Sep-04

13-Sep-04

8-Sep-04

9-Jul-04

30-Aug-04

18-Jun-04

18-Jun-04

28-May-04

21-May-04

4-May-04

11-May-04

17-Apr-04

28-Feb-04

8-Jan-04

5-Feb-04

17-Dec-03

16-Oct-03

20-Nov-03

14-Oct-03

10-Sep-03

31-Jul-03

13-Aug-03

3-Jul-03

22-Jul-03

3-Jul-03

6-Jun-03

0
5-Apr-03

Bicine ppmv

5000

HSS wt%

0.4

6000

Problem Encountered:
In September we began to experience a problem removing the bicine. Please note on
Figure 6 that both bicine and HSS levels began to rise. After several weeks of continued
rise in bicine, we concluded that the resin was now spent since we were approaching the
maximum number of treatment cycles. We then changed out the resin with new material
and restarted the unit. After a few weeks of operation and finally getting the analytical
results on the bicine, we learned that we were still not getting an effective removal of the
bicine. We thoroughly checked the operation of the ion exchange unit for cycle timing,
quality of the caustic, quality of the wash water, O2 content in the inlet gas, and
programming of the unit. We determined that the problem had to be with the resin.
We removed the recently replaced resin and found it to have a swollen and fluffy
appearance. There was also an increased pressure drop across the resin bed and we noted
a hydrocarbon odor on the beads. We confirmed with additional testing that the resin
material had become coated with hydrocarbon. We learned at this point that a coating of
hydrocarbon on the resin definitely inhibits the resin. Two things caused the coating to
occur. First, was a failure of a level shutdown switch on our reflux accumulator. This
failure allowed some hydrocarbon that was floating on the surface of our reflux water to
feed directly to the resin bed. Second, our activated carbon filter material had reached its
limit and was fully loaded with hydrocarbons. It was no longer able to filter the small
amounts of hydrocarbon from the circulating amine.
We resolved the problem by replacing the level shutdown switch and by changing out the
activated carbon, and finally by replacing the resin again. We were able to save the
coated resin by simply washing it in a special detergent. It will be available for use the
next time we need to change out the resin.
Solutions to Corrosion Problems
We have adopted a multiple point approach in remediating our corrosion problems. First,
we searched for and eliminated, as much as possible, sources of oxygen in our inlet gas.
Second, we installed the Eco-Tec Ion Exchange treater to reduce the bicine and heat
stable salts that form. Third, we regularly monitor the bicine and HSS content of our
amine. Fourth, we are replacing failed carbon steel components with stainless steel
construction both valves and piping. Over time we have replaced much of the rich
amine piping from the contactor to the flash tank and also on to the rich/lean exchanger.
Some of the lean return piping has also been replaced.
Summary
An Eco-Tec AmiPur unit can successfully remove both bicine and other types of heat
stable salts anions using ion exchange technology. When it is combined with minimizing
oxygen presence and selection of corrosion resistant material you can subsequently
reduce equipment corrosion and reduce the cost of amine corrosion problems.

References
1. Rooney, P.C., Bacon, T.R. and DuPart, M.S. (1997), Effect of Heat Stable Salts
on Solution Corrosivity of MDEA-based Alkanolamine Plants III, 47th Laurance
Reid Gas Conditioning Conference, Norman, OK.
2. Critchfield, J.E. and Jenkins, J.L. (Spring 1999), Petroleum Technology Quarterly,
pg.87.
3. Bosen, S.F and Bedell, S.A (2003), The Relevance of Bicine in the Corrosion of
Amine Gas Treating Plants, 54th Laurance Reid Gas Conditioning Conference,
Norman, OK.
4. Green, J.G. Identification of a Corrosive Agent in an Industrial Process: Mass
Spectrometry as a Part of a Multi-technique Problem Solving Effort Presentation
at the 39th ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics, May
1991.
5. Chakma, A., and Meisen. A., Identification of methyldiethanolamine degradation
by Gas Chromatography and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry, J.
Chromatography; 1988, 457,287.b.
6. Gary L. Lawson, Arthur L. Cummings, and Shade Mecum Amine Plant
Corrosion Reduced By Removal of Bicine.
7. Howard. M., and Sargent. A., Texas Gas Plant faces Ongoing Battle, Oil & Gas
Journal, July 23, 2001.
8. INEOS, Gas/Spec provided that analyses and data for bicine and HSS graphs,
Randy Kuroda, Ineos Rep.