METHYL

DIETHANOL AMINE
R.SRIKANTH
K.YESWANTH

N-METHYL DIETHANOLAMINE MDEA

Itis a clear, Colorless or Pale Yellow liquid with
Ammonical Odor.
It is miscible with water, alcohol and benzene.
Methyl Diethanolamine is also known as an MDEA or NMethyl Diethanolamine.

 MDEA is more efficient absorber then MEA & DEA for

sulphur contains impurity and acid gases found in
natural gas processing
Methyl Diethanolamine is widely used as a
decarbonized and Sweating agent in chemical, oil
refinery, Gas synthesis, Natural gas & gas

Typical Physical Properties

Boiling Range, o C
247 (477)
Flash point, PMCC, C (F)
116 (240)
Freezing Point, o C (o F)
-21 (-5.8)
Specific gravity, 20/20o C
1.0431
Vapor pressure,
20o C, mm Hg
Viscosity, cSt, 100o F

MDEA IS USED AS ASOLVENT

Using Amine as a Solvent for Chemical Absorption

Amines are compounds formed from ammonia (NH3) by
replacing one or more of the hydrogen atoms with
another hydrocarbon group.
Replacement of single hydrogen produces a primary
amine, replacement of two hydrogen atoms produces a
secondary amine, and replacement of all three of the
hydrogen atoms produces a tertiary amine.
Primary amines are the most reactive, followed by
secondary and tertiary amines

Tertiary Amines
Methyldiethanolamine (MDEA), a tertiary amine, selectively removes
H2S to pipeline specifications while slipping some of the CO.
As noted previously, the CO2 slippage occurs because H2S hydrolysis
is much faster than for CO2, and the carbonate formation reaction does
not occur with a tertiary amine.
Consequently, short contact times in the absorber are used to obtain
the selectivity.
MDEA has a low vapor pressure and thus, can be used at
concentrations up to 60wt% without appreciable vaporization losses.
Even with its relatively slow kinetics with CO2, MDEA is used for bulk
removal of CO2 from high concentration gases because energy
requirement for regeneration are lower than those for the other amines

METHYL DIETHANOLAMINES TECHNOLOGY PROCESS

DESCRIPTION

Methyl DiEthanolamines are manufactured by reacting

Ethylene oxide and excess Mono Methyl Amine (MMA) in
an aqueous solution, followed by separation of excess
MMA, water and the mixed Methyl Ethanolamine
fractions.

 METHYL DIETHANOLAMINES
C2H4O
+
CH3NH2
H3CNH-CH2-CH2OH
Ethylene Oxide Mono
Methyl Amine
Mono Methyl Ethanolamine
C2H4O
+
CH3CNH-CH2-CH2-OH
H3CN(CH2-CH2-OH)2 Ethylene Oxide
Mono
Methyl Ethanolamine
Methyl Diethanolamine

 The reaction is simultaneous and the product mix is dependent

on the molar ratios in which the two reactants are charged and
other operational parameters.
The two raw materials - Ethylene Oxide and MMA are
continuously charged into the reactor under carefully controlled
conditions of temperature, pressure and composition.
The ensuing product after reaction contains a mixture of the
Methyl DIEthanolamines, water and excess MMA. This is
processed through a series of towers where the excess MMA
and water are removed progressively and finally a dehydrated
mixture of the Methyl DiEthanolamines is obtained.

 This dehydrated mixture of Methyl Ethanolamines is

then purified into distillation columns where each of the
amines, namely Methyl Monoethanolamine, Methyl
Diethanolamine and Poly Methyl Ethanolamine
(Heavies) are obtained after controlled fractional
distillation.
The products are collected in intermediate tanks,
checked for quality and then are stored in the
respective product storage tanks.
Provision has been made to recycle the product back in
case non-standard product is obtained.

PROCESS ADVANTAGES
Non-Catalytic Low Pressure Reaction.
High selectivity and yield to valuable MDEA product.
Product conforming to International Standards