Activated Carbon for DEA Removal
Amine units are utilized in gas processing plants and petroleum refineries to remove acid gases (H2S and CO2) from gas streams, LPG, recycled gases, and refinery off-gases. An amine unit is also used in CO2 sequestration, metal production, and synthesis gas production. Activated carbon removes contaminants from the amine solvent, reducing foaming problems and color removal.
Activated carbon removes contaminants from the amine solvent, reducing foaming problems and color removal. In this blog, you will see more information about the activated carbon in the amine process.
Amine units are utilized in gas processing plants and petroleum refineries to remove acid gases (H2S and CO2) from gas streams, LPG, recycled gases, and refinery off-gases. An amine unit is also used in CO2 sequestration, metal production, and synthesis gas production. Activated carbon removes contaminants from the amine solvent, reducing foaming problems and color removal.
Amine filtration that usually includes particulate and carbon filter is one of the critical processes of a sour gas sweetening unit that ensures low foaming tendency of amine. Activated carbon adsorption bed is crucial to remove hydrocarbon and surfactants e.g. lube oil, corrosion inhibitor.
In this blog, we will introduce the function of activated carbon and working condition, which will help you to understand it well.
The purpose of purchasing activated carbon :
– the need to ensure normal conditions for the flow of the technological process at the plant for amine purification of natural gas from acidic components and for filtering a 30% aqueous solution of diethanolamine (DEA);
– maintenance of the production process of a high-quality amine solution in accordance with the requirements of the plant’s technological regulations.
Application area
Activated carbon is used to filter a 30% aqueous solution of diethanolamine (DEA) from amine degradation products, heat-resistant salts, corrosion products and polymers.
Additional Technical Requirements
Working pressure 4050 kpa at 90 °C
Temperature of the amine solution 88-90 °C
Circulation of the amine solution 520 m3
Consumption of DEA solution through the filter 49-78 m3
Number of filters 1
Loading volume of activated carbon layer 34,6 m3
The design volume of the filter capacity 67,7 m3
Basic Technical Requirements of activated carbon:
CAS number 7440-44-0
Appearance ( colour) of black extruded shape
Diameter 3 mm +/- 0,02
Specific surface area according to B.E.T , not less than 950m2 /g
Iodine number , not less than 950 mg/g
Molasses number 150÷200
Apparent density 0,48-0,5g/cm₃
Humidity , no more 5%
Ash content, no more 15%
Sulfates nonexistent
Phosphates nonexistent
Chlorides nonexistent
Activation Steam-gas
Features of activated carbon for DEA:
Re-agglomerated metallurgical grade bituminous coal
Uniformly activated pellet
High pore volume
Fast adsorption
Many processes for the removal of acid gases have been employed commercially and various amines are used, each of the amines offering distinct advantages to specific treating problems. Depending on the required selectivity, CO2 or H2S removal, various solutions of solvent can be used.
To sum it up, activated carbon is an efficient adsorbent for the purification of DEA. A wide range of activated carbons is readily available for purchase. Contact us for more information now!
Gas streams containing acid gases(H2S, CO2) are often treated with aqueous solutions of alkanolamines such as monoethanol amine (MEA),diethanol amine (DEA), methyl diethanolamine (MDEA),diisopropanol amine (DIPA), amino-ethoxy-ethanol (diglycolamine, DGA) etc. The alkanol amine absorbs the acid gases in the absorber. The “rich” amine is then sent to the stripper column, where the acid gases are released under heat and reduced pressure. The resulting “lean” amine is returned to the top of the absorber column for acid-gas absorption. A simplified schematic of the amine treating system is provided in below Figure.
The recirculating amine system can concentrate contaminants that are removed from the inlet sour gas; or contaminants that are formed in the system through corrosion, degradation or other mechanisms. The most common contaminants that accumulate within amine systems are solids (usually corrosion products, but also solids that enter from the inlet gas), heavy hydrocarbons, amine degradation products, heat stable salts, and surfactants.
The most common systems used to remove these contaminants from the amine stream and prevent their infinite accumulation are: (a) rich flash tank; (b) particle filters; (c) packed carbon bed; and (d) reclaimers. The rich flash tank is intended to remove heavy oils by settling. The particle filters are expected to remove solid contaminants by filtration. The reclaimers are intended to remove amine degradation products and heat stable salts, although some (such as vacuum distillation and thin film evaporation) can also remove solids and hydrocarbons. Carbon is usually claimed or believed to be capable of removing amine degradation products and hydrocarbons.
Amine treating advantages
Various heat sources (direct-fired, waste heat, hot oil, and steam systems) can be used for the still reboiler.
Customized plants can be designed to customer specification while maintaining fast delivery.
Our amine systems can meet required CO2 and H2S levels operating with multiple solvent types and recirculation rates.
Standard system designs reduce manufacturing and commissioning times.
Amine systems are easily combined with other technologies into hybrid systems for many sizes of gas sweetening projects.