Amine Filtration Systems

Properly designed Amine Filtration is critical to reliable amine unit operation. Left unfiltered, amine streams will accumulate particulates and liquid hydrocarbons, causing foaming and equipment fouling resulting in significant amine losses, off-spec treated gas and accelerated corrosion. Downstream, in the SRU, poor amine quality will cause the operators to constantly fight process upsets caused by feed composition swings. PTI's design team provides complete carbon bed and particulate filtration systems for full or partial amine flows of both rich or lean amine streams.

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A sound filtration system is a crucial component of a robust Amine Unit. Amine travels from the Regenerator to Contactors and back, if unfiltered, Amine can pick up contaminants along its path. Liquid hydrocarbons and particulates will degrade the amine stream and be carried throughout the system. If not treated, columns will foam, amine will be lost, exchangers will foul, and corrosion will attack your unit.

The Amine Filtration System is installed on the cool side of the lean amine path, normally downstream of lean amine transfer pumps. A slipstream of 10-20% is usually treated on larger units and up to 100% on small systems. The filtration system consists of a pre-filter, carbon bed, and post-filter in series. The pre-filter captures particles that could plug the carbon bed, and the post-filter captures any particles from the carbon bed to keep them from traveling into downstream equipment. The carbon bed removes residual hydrocarbons in the lean amine stream.

Rich amine filtration may be necessary for highly contaminated systems. Iron sulfide in rich amine can dissociate into soluble iron in the Regenerator and will not be removed by lean amine filtration. Soluble iron will react with hydrogen sulfide in Contactors to form additional iron sulfide that can foul contractor trays and packing. Rich amine filtration systems require enhanced safety considerations to minimize personnel exposure during maintenance and must be designed with the ability to flush with lean amine for decontamination.

PTI works with our clients to determine the best technical solution coupled with the practicality of upfront cost and ongoing maintenance for large and small amine filtration systems.