Amine Gas Sweetening

Overview
Amine MEA DEA TEA
Gas Sweetening Property

Processes are employed to remove the acid gases from the inlet stream in a gas Stronger than Type of Base Very Strong Weak processing plant. TEA Type of Amine Primary Secondary Tertiary Troublesome components in produced natural gas Solution strength(in water), include:reacts with water15-20 to 25-35 30-45 wt.% a.H2S form acidic gas Ability to selectively No No Yes b.CO2 H2S and CO2 absorbed Acid gas loading, mole/mole The Amines 0.3-0.35 0.3-0.35 0.5-1 (carbon steel) The term amine refers to an alkaline compound, Circulation rates Lowest > MEA used in a water solution, that can chemically tie-up and remove acid gas molecules (H 2 S and CO 2 ) Vaporization Losses Highest Less volatile Low from a natural gas stream. Lesser than Corrosive Action Very High Least MEA various The table shows the differences in the

Amine Gas Sweetening DGA DIPA The AminesAmine

DGA Property

MDEA

in the second group of amines can be used for both dehydration and gas sweetening. Type of Base Very Stronger Weak The table shows the differences in the various Strong than amines MDEA Type of Amine Primary Secondary Tertiary Solution strength(in 65-70 30 water), wt.% Ability to selectively No No Yes absorbed H2S and CO2 Degraded by COS Yes Yes No and CS2

Amine Gas Sweetening

Amine Chemistry
conditions which favour both the trays or packing in the These reactions take place on reactions are: a. Forward reaction temperature of 38C contactor: b. Amine + Hreaction will occur at about 116 CH 2 the sulfide and the reversed 2 S ---------- Amine sulfide + for O 149 C for the carbamate reaction. An example of this reaction when the amine used is MEA: Amine sulfide and amine carbamate are the two water soluble salts HOCH 2 CH in the contactor. that are formed2 NH 2 + H 2 S ---------- HOCH 2 CH 2 NH 3 + HS Selective amines absorb practically all the H 2 S but leave a sizable Amine + CO 2 behind. amine portion of theCO 2 + H 2 O ---------- Amine carbamate + H 2 O H2S/CO2 HOCH 2 CH 2 NH 2 + an absorption process produces heat Amine acid gas reaction CO 2 + H 2 O ---------- HOCH 2 CH 2 exothermically. This heat of reaction is needed in the rich solution in NH 3 + HCO 3
The

order for the reverse reaction. The amine salts become unstable when heated; they break apart in the regenerator to form the acid gases again. If the amine salts are more heat-stable, it would take more heat to regenerate these salts which means higher operating costs.

Amine Gas Sweetening

Amine Sweetening Process

The

design of amine sweetening plants consists of two general sections that are the "sweetening" section and the "regeneration" section The monoethanolamine and diethanolamine sweetening processes are similar in their flow schemes and operations.

Amine Gas Sweetening

Absorber Principles Process Basics

These variables are: gas sweetening is a chemical process. 1.The temperature Chemical process of the lean two separate segments:as can be in amine solution should be low as possible, but still about 5-8C warmer than the 1. Absorption in the contactor (absorber). incoming gas. 2. Adjust the amine solution in the regeneration solution 2. Desorption or stripping strength. The amine section. strength sets the minimum possible H 2 S content of the sweet gas. It is adjusted in the regeneration section of the amine system by the addition of water or amine to the system. The two operating variables to adjust in controlling stripper operation: 1.The flow of heating medium to the reboiler. The heating medium flow is adjusted depending on the lean amine H 2 S concentration.
Amine

Amine Gas Sweetening

Amine Unit Process Description Gas Flow

Amine Gas Sweetening

Amine Solution Flow

Major Equipment Inlet Scrubber

Amine Gas Sweetening (Cont.)

The primary purpose of the inlet scrubber is to remove liquids from the sour inlet gas.

Outlet Scrubber The outlet scrubber is a two-phase separator and it recovers amine solution that has been carried over from the contactor and return it to the amine system. Amine Contactor -Basic

Configuration
Contactor operates at high temperature and low pressure

Major Equipment Rich Amine Flash Tank

Amine Gas Sweetening (Cont.)

The flash tank is used to degas the rich amine coming from the high pressure contactor.

Lean/Rich Amine Exchangers

The rich/lean exchanger is a heat conservation device where hot lean solvent preheats cooler rich solvent.

Regenerator
The acid gas is removed from the rich amine in the regenerator to produce lean amine at the bottom of the regenerator.

Amine Gas Sweetening (Cont.) Major Equipment

Regenerator

Reflux Circuit This vessel separates the reflux water and water-saturated acid gases. Regenerator Bottom and Reboiler This is either a direct-fired firetube type, cabin heater, indirect hot oil or steam heated unit and it provides the steam necessary for stripping. Regenerator Water Make-Up Continuous loss of water from the system is normal hence water must be continually added. Circulation Pump The reflux and booster pumps are normally centrifugal, inline or horizontal pumps Lean Amine Cooler Required for further cooling of lean amine before it flows into the contactor. This is done with a lean amine cooler.

Troubleshooting The three common classes of operational problems which are: 1.Failure to Sweeten 2.Solution Foaming 3.Solution Losses

Amine Gas Sweetening (Cont.)

Troubleshootin g comes about

Failure to Sweeten

Frequent checks for leaks should be made and leak repair done.

Solution Foaming
Poor Solution Condition

Solution losses
Sudden loss of the contactor bottom level Swinging liquid levels Amine carryover into the contactor outlet scrubber Sudden sharp increase in contactor differential pressure

Contactor Problems
Hydrocarb on condensati on in the amine

High residual H2S Amine circulation rate too high Damaged or plugged regenerator trays

Poor maintena nce of solution

Mechanical eg: carryover Chemical and Thermal Degradation caused by oxygen contact and other components of sour gas

Solution foaming Tray flooding

Problems with reboiler Leak in lean/rich exchanger

Vapourization Losses. Dpends on Amine type. MEA>DEA