Fluid quality management in amine systems Overview of a systematic approach to benchmarking the performance of existing filtration systems in terms of online life and fluid quality
Matt Thundyil, David Seeger, Arvind Chaturvedi, Erin McIntosh, and Roy McDoniel Transcend Solutions
R ecirculating amine systems are used globally for the removal of acid gas components from process gas streams. These systems are faced with a variety of particulate contaminants from multiple sources, including contamination entering with the inlet stream, particulate formation due to corrosion, and erosion in the recirculating system. The presence of particulate contamination is an accepted cause of amine column foaming, amine loss, and fouling of absorber towers, stripper towers, and lean-rich exchangers. Therefore, many oil and gas plant operators employ filtration to improve the fluid quality of the recirculating amine system, and disposable filter elements are generally used. Often, plants are faced with high operating costs and intolerably high change-out frequencies. Implementing an effective fluid quality management programme, designed to improve the condition of the fluid, provide reproducible fluid quality measurements, extend filter
it is important to address contamination control within the recirculating system. This article discusses a systematic approach to benchmarking the performance of the existing filtration system in terms of online life and fluid quality, followed by the evaluation of different media configurations, also in terms of online life and fluid quality, and the implementation of the optimal solution. Background and process description A Gulf Coast refinery operated a tail gas amine system designed to treat acid gas from both the Claus sulphur recovery unit and the sour water stripper (SWS) system, which contributed significant light hydrocarbons. After hydrogenation and quenching, the tail gas entered the amine section, where 50% MDEA was circulated at 640 gal/min, with a total system volume exceeding 18,000 gallons. Despite appearing clean to the eye, the system faced persistent contamination issues.
element online life, and reduce overall costs, is a challenging endeavour due to the complexity of contamination control in an amine system. This complexity is related to contaminant ingression, generation, and re-entrainment. Without prejudice to root cause approaches that seek to mitigate ingression,
Treated tail gas Tail gas acid gas
Absorber
F
Stripper
C
Tail gas from quench
F
Carbon bed Particle lter F C
F
Amine sump
Figure 1 Simplified process flow diagram of amine system
Refining India
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