Request a demonstration 1-888-928-9422 Subscription benefits Log in

Articles

Company profiles Industry reports Business articles Research Center

Remove heat stable salts for better amine plant

performance. (addendum to the article on caustic

neutralization published in October 1997 issue)(Process

Technology)

Article from: Hydrocarbon Processing | August 1, 1998 | Cummings, A.L.; Mecum, S.M.

| Copyright

Follow-up data to an October 1997 article proves with refinery experience that caustic neutralization

does not improve system operations

Caustic addition appears to be an inexpensive and easy way to deal with heat stable salt problems in

amine systems. However, refinery experience shows that operational problems persist when caustic is

used to "neutralize" amine heat stable salts (HSS). In contrast, when caustic addition is replaced by

removing HSS and maintaining HSS anions at a low level, it results in improved amine system

operations, lower maintenance costs and increased refinery throughput. This and other refinery

experiences confirm that caustic addition is bad for an amine system.

It is well known in the refining and gas-treating industries that HSS accumulation has a detrimental

impact on amine system operations. HSS reduce the effective capacity of the amine solution,

contribute to corrosion and aggravate operational problems such as foaming, amine loss, fouling, etc.

When HSS buildup becomes a problem, operators have a variety of options, which include replacing

part or all of the solution, HSS removal, or the commonly recommended practice of adding sodium or

potassium caustic to "neutralize" the HSS. Many operators choose neutralization over replacement or

salt removal because it is perceived to be a more economical way to stop the problem. Unfortunately,

neutralization addresses only the capacity (available amine strength) issue. When other operational

problems (corrosion, foaming, amine loss, fouling, filter plugging, upsets) persist following

neutralization, it may be erroneously assumed that HSS have no relationship to those problems.

Previous corrosion data, collected in a dynamic corrosion test apparatus, showed that caustic

additions to amine solutions do little to improve their corrosivity.[1] Thus, the problems aggravated by

corrosion products will not go away. In some cases, corrosion rates are increased by caustic addition,

which may lead to additional …

Read all of this article – and millions more – with a FREE, 7-day trial!

Business information > Business articles > Magazines

Ads by Google

Apply for Personal LoanBankBazaar.com/Personal_Loans

Personal Loan Rates from 14%. Search Now for Instant

Quotes

Royal Sundaram Carroyalsundaram.in/Car_Insurance

Insurance - Covers Plastic, Metal Parts . Hassle Free

Claims.Buy Now!

IndianOil Citibank™ Cardciti.com/CreditCard

Save Over 5% on Fuel Bills & Rs 250 Worth of Free Fuel

with the Card!

Shop Online for Your BabyFirstCry.com/Baby-And-Kids-Store

Baby Diapers, Clothes, Toys & more Free Shipping. Pay

on Delivery.

Tradus Deals & Offerswww.tradus.com

Online Shopping @90% Off. Original Products. Pay Cash

on Delivery.

Research Journaliosrjournals.org

Publish Your Research Article In International

Journal:IOSR JOURNALS

Shop Now!Rs. 599

Shop Now!-31%Rs. 1990Rs.

Shop Now!Rs. 599

Shop Now!Rs. 1990

Remove heat stable salts for better amine plant performance. (addendum t... http://business.highbeam.com/436407/article-1G1-21144289/remove-hea...

1 of 2 4/5/2013 1:54 PM