Amine
Circulation
Lee:
Mr. Lieberman, which
is a better amine – MEA, DEA, or MDEA – for use in a refinery?
Norm:
MEA, without good reclaimer
operation, in a plant with an FCU, is going to promote H2 assisted
stress corrosion cracking. MDEA is used in concentrations of 45%, and hence
tends to foam. In practice, I have found using 30 – 35 wt.% DEA is optimum –
but occasional reclaiming to reduce heat stable salt accumulation is still
required. If you have a sulfur plant tail gas scrubber, then a selective
solvent, that rejects CO2 absorption, such as MDEA may be necessary.
