The Amine Process

Amine treating is a type of gas sweetening that refers to a group of processes that utilize solvents to remove acid gases, H2S (Hydrogen Sulfide) and CO2 (Carbon Dioxide), from process streams. It is commonly used in refineries and gas plants to improve safety, prevent corrosion and meet environmental regulations. There are several types of Amines that are commonly used in industry today:

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  • Primary Amines: MEA, DGA®

  • Secondary Amines: DEA, DIPA

  • Tertiary Amines: MDEA, TEA

  • Mixed Amines

  • Formulated Amines: UCARSOL™, FLEXSORB™

The Amine Unit

A typical Amine Unit consists of an absorber (contactor) and regenerator (stripper) along with their ancillary equipment. A process gas stream is first passed through the absorber, where H2S and CO2 are removed by the “lean” solvent. The now “rich” solvent is sent to the regenerator where the acid gases are removed and either sent to flare or a Sulfur Recovery Unit (SRU).

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Meeting Spec

In general, gas processing plants and oil refineries are required to meet a designated specification of H2S and CO2 in their produced Sweet Gas. There are several reasons as to why a facility may not be meeting spec:

  • Foaming

  • Excessive Solvent Losses

  • Corrosion, Fouling and Degradation

Ensuring that produced gas is on spec is crucial to the operation of the Refinery or Gas Plant. SRE’s specialized testing services ensure that the operation of your Amine Unit is optimized for efficient long-term performance and reliability!

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