Process Measurement & Control Solutions

NOTE 6A: Amine Systems - Gas Sweetening

Product Applications

The Problem
Contamination of amine systems (Figure 1) results in operational and environmental challenges for the operator. Contaminants
include:

Particles such as iron sulfide with the feed

Heat stable salts
Surface active agents
Liquid hydrocarbon in the gas feed
Carboxylic acids formed from oxygen entering the amine system
Corrosion inhibitors and water treatment chemicals entering with makeup water and wash water

These contaminants contribute to the formation and stabilization of foam and emulsions in the amine units. When foaming
overcarry or hydrocarbon undercarry occur in the amine contactor, the following problems can occur:

Reductions in production rates, sales volumes, and unit operating efficiency

Excessive amine losses due to foam and entrainment
Reduced energy efficiency
Sales gas contamination
Reduced gas treating capacity and efficiency
Increased defoamer consumption
Environmental issues may result from hydrocarbon in the acid gas
Regeneration efficiency is decreased
Damage to downstream gas compressors

The Solution
Foam in the Amine Contactor or Regenerator
The Agar ID-201 interface detector can detect the presence of foam far earlier than a pressure gauge or other technology.
The probe can initiate or increase the anti-foam chemical injection rate causing the foam to dissipate. As a result, the
anti-foam chemical feed rate is optimized, reducing the operators overall chemical costs. Contamination of sales gas with
amine or foam can be controlled while protecting downstream compressors.

Hydrocarbon Undercarry from the Amine Contactor or Regenerator

The Agar ID-201 probe can detect very low concentrations of hydrocarbon in amine solution in the bottom of the amine
contactor or regenerator. In the case of the Amine Contactor, the hydrocarbon is drawn off to protect downstream equipment,
and to minimize the problems resulting from hydrocarbon contaminated amine leaving the contactor. For the Regenerator,
an Agar OW-201 is installed to ensure that lean amine with minimal hydrocarbon content is sent out to the contactors for
maximum absorption efficiency.

APPLICATION NOTE 6A
All Agar Corporation Instruments are covered by one or more of the following U.S. Patents: 4,503,383; 4,774,680; 5,099,697; 5,101,163; 5,101,367; 5,263,363;
5,503,004; 5,551,305; 5,589,642; 5,741,977, RE 36,597. Other patents pending in the USA and other countries.
 APPLICATION NOTE 6A: Amine - Gas Sweetening

Rich Amine Contaminated with Hydrocarbon from the Flash Tank

Interface control in the Flash Tank will eliminate hydrocarbon undercarry with the rich amine going to the regenerator and
acid gas stream.

Regenerator Reflux Drum

An Agar ID-201 may be installed to initiate a low level alarm to prevent hydrocarbon from being fed into the regenerator from
the reflux drum.

Figure 1
Gas Sweetening Application

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ER No. 5024; SL0015 Rev -