4 Key Points To Run Amine Treating Units Efficiently

Thumb Rules For Amine Treatment Units

Why Amine Sweetening Process is Used?

Amine sweetening is a process that uses solvents to remove the contaminants from natural gas such as CO2 & H2S. Removal of H2S from Natural Gas is very important as its proven to be toxic & corrosive whereas, CO2 Removal is also crucial & is also equally corrosive when it forms carbonic acid. To avoid these complications amine treating units came into existence ensuring to meet the safety, environmental regulation & prevent corrosion. For this process, various types of Amines are available in the market- Primary Amines, Secondary Amines, Tertiary Amines, Formulated Amines & Mixed Amines. 

4 Key Points To Keep in Mind While Running Amine Treating Units Efficiently

Temperature

Temperature is an essential parameter to be regulated for any reaction. Here it is regulated for differential temperature between the incoming acid gas and the lean amine feed. The necessity behind this regulation is to avoid the condensation of hydrocarbons and subsequent complications arising from it. When the temperature is ideal the functioning of the unit is maximum, yielding a high amount of product. However, the general rule of thumb would require a lean amine temperature of 45℃. This ideal temperature is shifted slightly by a degree or two according to the treating unit models. With the customization of units, even the parameter needs to be optimized. The minimum temperature for the amine processing unit is 5℃.

Outlet Temperature Of Exchanger

The most crucial parameter in the rule of thumb is neglected by the designers. The outlet temperature of the rich side of the lean exchanger. The maximum temperature is 99℃, beyond this value, it is prone to acid gas breakout and corrosion problems in the equipment.

Regenerator Pressure

The pressure advisable for amine regenerators are around 2.1 – 2.3 bar. The usual temperature pressure rituals are not followed for the amine treating units. The temperature is kept below 127℃ because high pressure & temperature will result in degradation of products

Reboiler Steam

Earlier the minimum temperature recommended was mentioned as 5℃. Because at low temperature energy recovery is maximum and the steam consumption is minimum in reboiler. For a reboiler to function efficiently, a high pressure steam is required. Often a kettle type reboiler is preferred. As there is a huge temperature disparity in the boiling media and steam. But latest technologies have made it possible to lower the pressure required and made the reboiler function even in medium to low pressure steam with a reduced temperature-pressure difference.

Advantages of choosing amine treating units

1. Removal of H2S & CO2 together
2. Cost-effective process than most processes
3. Chemicals are regenerated & saving the wastage costs
4. Highly versatile in processing 
5. Reduced manufacturing time 
6. Designed to reduce the environmental hazards

Challenges Using Amine Treating System

1. High energy consumption
2. A high amount of CO2 reacts with primary and secondary amines to form products or it degenerates them.
3. Even the presence of O2 in the gas can react with amines to form other products

Conclusion – 

These Amine sweetening / Amine scrubbing rules of thumb need to be studied carefully to make any changes in the unit. Determine the capacity of your unit and upgrade it steadily. Step by step optimization will lead to a great yield & profit to the plant.

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