Amine Absorbent Solution for Acid Gas Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current absorbent solutions for removing acid compounds from high-pressure process streams require excessive energy for regeneration and can lead to phase separation issues, causing operational instability and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
Aqueous absorbent solutions comprising N,N,N'-trimethyl-N'-(hydroxyethyl)-1,3-propanediamine, N-(3-aminopropyl)-N-(dimethylamino)propyl-N',N'-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine, and methyl diethanol amine (MDEA) with tris(N,N,-dimethylamino propyl)amine in specific weight ratios, used in a countercurrent absorption process at pressures above 5.0 bar gauge, which avoids phase separation and reduces energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If conventional absorbent solutions are used for removing acid compounds from high-pressure process streams, then acid compound removal is achieved, but excessive energy is required for regeneration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the absorbent solution by using specific amine compounds (N,N,N'-trimethyl-N'-(hydroxyethyl)-1,3-propanediamine and N-(3-aminopropyl)-N-(dimethylamino)propyl-N',N'-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine) in controlled concentration ratios. These parameter changes enable the solution to achieve both high acid loading capacity and reduced regeneration energy requirements through optimized chemical interactions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite absorbent solutions containing multiple amine compounds in specific weight ratios (e.g., 30-70 wt% first amine and 20-50 wt% second amine). This composite approach combines the advantages of different amine structures to achieve synergistic effects, improving both absorption capacity and regeneration efficiency simultaneously.
2Reliability
If conventional absorbent solutions are used in high-pressure processes, then acid compound absorption is achieved, but phase separation occurs causing operational instability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of amine compounds and their ratio in the absorbent solution to prevent phase separation. By controlling the weight percentages and chemical composition parameters, the solution maintains homogeneous stability under high-pressure operating conditions while effectively absorbing acid compounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs absorbent solutions with specific homogeneous compositions using compatible amine compounds that maintain uniform mixing at high pressures. The selected amine structures and their controlled ratios ensure molecular-level homogeneity, preventing phase separation and ensuring operational reliability throughout the absorption-regeneration cycle.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution achieves higher acid loadings, reduces energy requirements, and prevents phase separation, leading to more stable and efficient acid compound removal processes with lower solvent circulation rates and reduced equipment size.
Implementation Method 1
an absorption step wherein the feed stream is contacted in countercurrent with an aqueous absorbent solution and forming a product stream having a reduced acid compound content and a liquid absorbent solution enriched with the at least one acid compound
Implementation Method 2
a regeneration step wherein the enriched absorbent solution obtained from step a) is treated to release at least part of the acid compound
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Disclosed is a process for deacidising a non-aqueous feed comprising one of H2S, CO2, COS, CS2, disulphides and/or mercaptans, comprising a. an absorption step contacting the feed in countercurrent with an aqueous absorbent solution, forming a product reduced in the acid compounds and a liquid absorbent solution enriched with acid compounds, b. a regeneration step treating the enriched solution from step a) to release acid compound, thereby forming a lean absorbent solution and a stream containing the acid compound, and c. recycling at least part of the lean solution from step b) to step a), characterised in that step a) is performed at a pressure of at least 5.0 bar gauge, and the absorbent solution comprises an absorbent selected from Ν,Ν,Ν'-trimethyl-N'-(hydroxyethyl)-1,3-propanediamine, N-(3-aminopropyl)-N-(dimethyl-amino)propyl-N',N'-dimethyl-1,3-propanediamine, and a mixture of methyl diethanol amine with tris(N,N,-dimethylamino propylamine in a weight ratio in the range of 25:75 to 95:5, and mixtures thereof.