4. 7-0 7:50; 08oH0! eutsor: 1G PROCESO; = YEMOPANDUM si To + W. J, Brock Judibana, From: £.A. Vateon August 13, 1974 Subj: THE MGA BECLAIMER STUDY PEG No. 3 The purpose of this meno is to discuss the results of the MEA Reclainer Study, Sriofly, the Study snows, there are two causes for the high YEA losses ($0 druus per month) and the short-ineffective re~ clainer cycles which have occurred at Amuay. These causes are: (1) high reclainer operating pressure: and (2) incomplete recovery of MEA fron the reclainer following the impurity accumulation step of the re- clainer cycte. ‘These problems are not clearly operational or process, but « combination of both, they are rather complex and have resulted because the necessary techrical information about the reclaixer process has not been available to the operating personel. In addition to the problems wnich resulted from lack of technical information, there are several process problems vnich make @iccecsfal reclainer operations very difficult. nis meno contains a description of the MEA reclainer operation. It will be used to show why we have experienced short-i-effective reclaimer cycles and why ve have experienced high MEA losses. Once these problens are fully understood, there should be no difficulty in correcting then. ‘the process changes which are reconmended in this meno will be documented in Precese Specification 11-74. EAN/oh. OGesiee cc: Tech. Supt. As Matson Oper. Supet. Fuels + Golmenares 2 Conde Ouerra S Hereindes Daas Metatyre * sifontes Centrat Files ba AL Tepedin PEG Files.#3 069805390 PROCESO; 70 ewrsor: 1M THE MEA RECLAIMER STUDY Summary of Recommendations The MEA Reclaimer Study evaluated the reclaimer operation with the ob Jective of improving its operation. The folloving recommendations have resulted from the Study: 1. ~ An operators training course will ve given to cover the overall FMAY unit operations. The course vill be given in feptenter ty TEG~ £. + The operating pressure of the MEA Regenerator cover, 7-701 must be lowered to improve the reclaimer performance, The tover should be operated at the lowest possible pressure consistant vith sulfur plant operations. arget value is 10 PSIG. - Process Specification 11-74 will docunent the recommendation to add additional discharge headers to the PT-705 A-D turbines. The new fieaders will discharge to the 30# steam system and provide the flexi= blity to balance the steam system within the FMAY area, This removes the incentive to operate the regenerator tovers at high pressure. This recommendation is in agreement vith Case 12 of the Steam and water Conservation Project, Report No. PEG 159, July 31, 1974. é 4, ~ Process Specification 11-74 vill also document the recommendation to recover MEA from the reclainer using reflux water from D-701, This change will eliminate the vater balance probleas vhich has led to high MEA losses. Introduction The purpose of this memo is to discuss the results of the MEA Reclaincr Study. Briefly, the Study shows, there are two causes for the high MEA losses (90 drums per month) and the short-ineffective reclaimer cycles which have occurred at Amay. These causes aret (1) high reclaimer operating pressure; and (2) incomplete recovery of MEA from the reclaimer folloving the impurity accumulation step of the reclaimer cycle. These problema are rather complex and are therefore not easily solved by a simple set of operating instructions. They require an understanding of the changes which take place within the entire FMAY system during the re~ Claimer operation. The following discussion on the reclaimer operation is provided to chow what are the specific problems ve have encountered and how can they be avoided in the future. THE MEA RECLAIMER OPERATION Why is Reclaiming MEA Necessary 7 The MEA (moncethanolamine) gas scrubbing operation is a closed cycle processING PROCESO; 4-7-0 7:58; 069405390 = i with respect to the circulating MEA solution. The solution circulates between the regeneration facilities and the Various refinery scrubbers absorbs acid gases in the scrubbers and rejects it in the regenerator: ‘The cycle ix Contimious vith no MEA purges, only small amounts of fresh solution are added to account for noraal losses, Due to the cyclic nature of the process, all the impurities either formed or absorbed into the solut- ion tend to accumlate. These impurities cause operating problems if allow ed to concentrate within the circulating MEA solution. whi the Purpose of the MEA Reclainer ? ‘The purpose of the MEA reclaimer is to remove from the circulating MEA solution these impurities, which contribute to corrosion, foaming and fouling. Among those impurities, some are compounds which contain MEA in the form of heat stable salts, volatile acids, and thermal decomposition products. These MEA containing Compounds are not regenerated by the normal stripping process, they may hovever be recovered in the reclaimer. The Re~ covery Rrocess requires that this MBA be boiled in the presence of soda ash or other strong base. A replacezent reaction takes place between the un= regenerable MEA salt and the ceda ash. The nonregenerable portion of the MEA salt combines with the soda ash to form a nonvolatile sodium salt, vhich remains in the reclaimer. The liberated MEA is vaporized and passes back into the tover, thus returning to the normal process. How does the Reclainer Operate ? The reclainer operates on a slipstream off the main MEA circulation. Lean MEA is Fed to the reclaimer cn level control, it comes from the regenerator tover bottoms and contains about 20 eight percent MEA. The solution in the reclaimer is then brought to a beil using 145¢ steam, condensing at lower pressure on the tube side of the exchanger. The vapors which are generated return directly to the tower. ic During the first phase of the reclaimer cycle, a shift in the vapor-liquid equilibrium takes place within the reclaimer, The vapors leaving the re- clainer and returning to the tover are mostly water at the start of the cycle. This results because of the difference in vapor pressure between MEA and water. As the water is driven back into the tower, the liquid remaining in the re- claimer begins to concentrate in MEA. This concentration step extracts or removes about 10 percent of the total MEA from the circulating solution before an equilibrium is reached. During this phase of the operation, the MEA con~ centration in the circulating solution drops rather rapidly. The reclaimer has temporarily removed MEA without removing the corresponding quarcity of varer. Specifically with Amuay’s system, if the reclainer is started up with 20 veight percent MEA in the circulating systems, the system will drop to 18 percent in less than one day if corrective action is not taken, When is equilibrium reached ? As the concentration in the reclaimer increases, the quantity of MEA in the vapor phase returning to the tower also increases, Eventually, a steadyENISOR: Ine PROCESO; ee state equilibrium is reached. vhere the amount of MEA leaving the re~ claimer in the vapor phase is equal to the amount of MEA entering in the uid phase. With a 20 percent solution entering the reclaimer, this equilibrius occurs when the liquid phase has concentrated to 76 weight percent MEA. once this equilibrium has been reached, the MEA in the slipstream is Passed throught the reclaimer, and only additional nonvolatiles are accumulated, What is the effect of changing composition on the reclaimer operating Fenperature 7 The temperature at which the equilibrium concentration is reached is the important variable, it determines the length and effectiveness of the overall reclaimer cycle, It is therefore important ve choose the proper Starting conditions in order to arrive at the desired equilibrium temper— ature. This portion of the reclaimer cycle is most easily understood by studing the vapor-liquid equilibrium curves for the MEA solution. These curves are presented in the Appendix as a function of pressure. Refer to the curve which corresponds to the reclaimer operating at 14PSIG. As in all the curves, the boiling point of the liquid or operating temper- ature of the reclaimer rises as the concentration of the MEA increases. In the 14 PSIG case, the 20 weight percent solution fed to the reclaimer, will start to boil at about 250*F. The vapor phase leaving the reclaimer at this tenperature contains only about one percent MEA. The liquid there- fore begins to concentrate and the boiling point rises along the lover curve. Yr will contime to rise until it reaches the equilibrium concentration. Equilibrium is defined as the point where the vapors leaving the reclainer contain the’ same MEA concentration as the feed entering. We can determine both the temperature and concentration in the liquid phase at equilibrium by drawing a tiedine through the vapor curve at the 20 veight percent con centration, The line is than extended to the liquid curve at the came temperature. For example at 14 PSIG, the tie-line dravn at 288°F represents the steady state equilibrium for the 20 veight percent case. This line passes through liquid phase curve at the 76 weight percent MEA and through the vapor phase curve at 20 percent by definition, The steady state composition of 76 veight percent in the reclaimer 1:quid is relatively independant of the tenperature and pressure at which it occurs, it is a function of the feed composition. The temperature at which this equilibrium occurs is the important variable, it is determined by the operat ing pressure of the reclaimer. Refer to the Vapor-liquid equilibrium curves for the steady state operating temperatures at higher pressures. At 16 75: in the reclainer, the equilibrium temperature is 292°F, at 18 PSIG it is 295°F and at 20 PSIG it has risen to 299°F, The lover this steady state operating temperature the more effective will be the reclainer cycles. What determines the reclaimer cycle length and how does the quantaty of Impurities tit ? IF there are no impurities present in the circulating MEA solution, the liquid in the reclainer will concentrate to the steady state equilibrium1G PROCESO; 4 temperature and continue to boil there indefinitely. Lean MEA vill only pass through the reclainer and return to the tover. If there are impurities present, they will accumulate in the reclaimer and cause the’ boiling point to rise above the steady state equilibrium temper= ature for the pure component mixture. It is this phenomenon, coupled vith the fact that appreciable thermal degradation of the MEA begins at 300" that limits the reclaimer cycle length. When the reclaimer temperature reached 300°F, fresh MEA feed is discountimued and the reclamation portion of the cycle is complete. The reclaimer cycle length and its effectiveness in removing impurities is therefore directly dependent on the temperature differential between the steady state boiling point of the pure 76 weight percent MEA solution anc the 300°F temperature degradation limit. How is the reclaimer cycle length maximized 7 The reclaimer cycle length, as pointed out above, is dependent on the tem perature differentia? between the boiling point of the pure concentrated MEA solution in the reclainer and the 300°F thermal degradation temperature. Maximum cycle lengths are obtained by minimizing the boiling point of the pure solution, this is done by reducing the operating pressure. The operating pressure of the reclainer is controlled by the operating pressure of the regenerator tover. As the vapors from the reclaimer are returned directly to bottom section of the tover, the pressure in the re- claimer is equal to the tover overhead pressure plus the tray pressure drop. The tray-pressure drop for T-70l is normally about 4 PSI. The minimum over head pressure for the regenerator is set by the pressure needed to operate the sulfur plants, this is about 10 PSIG, Therefore, vith 10 PSIG overhead, the reclainer operates at 14 PSIG, this allous (300°F - 28°F) or 12°F for the accumulation of impurities. A relatively long effective cycle should result vith this temperature differentia. Mow is the MEA which remains in the reclaimer recovered at the end of The reclamation cycle ? The reclaimer contains about 52 barrels of MEA solution at a concentration of 76 veight percent at the end of the cycle. If this solution vere dumped as it stands, approximately 30 drums (55 gal. druns) of pure MEA would be lost. Therefore, the next portion of the reclainer cycle must be devoted to recovering as'mich MEA as possible. The recovery process is basically the reverse of the concentration step vhich took place at the start of the cycle. Vater must be added to the reclainer to maintain the temperature at 300*F, vhile the HEA in the reclainer is distilled back into the regenerator tover. This first boil~ Off sends vapors of a 20 veight percent composition back into the tover. The boil-off is complete vhen the level in the reclaimer has been reduced to the top of the heat exchanger tubes (low liquid level alarm). after the Furst poil-off, the reduced Liquid remaining im the reclaimer contains about 18 druns of pure MEA.ep oF ING PROCESO; 7-0. 7:58; Subsequent boil-offs at lover temperature vill recover most of the MEA. offs should be conducted at 10°F increments dewn to and including Each boil-off again reduces the volume down to the low liquid level alarm. The quantity of MEA remaining in the reclaimer at this temperature is a function of the number predicted by the vapor-liquid equilibrium curves adjusted to account for the salt which has accumlated in the reclaimer. At 270°F and 14PSIG, there should be approximately 20 veight percent MEA left in the reclaimer, this is equal to $ drume of pure MEA compared with the original 30, Further MEA recovery may be economically feasible. The liquid remaining in the reclaimer should be analyzed to determine whether sufficient MEA remaing to merit additional boil-offs. SPECIFIC PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS Why have ve experienced Short=IneFfective Rclainer cycles 2 ‘The MEA reclaimer has been operated at 19-19,5°SIG over the past several years. This pressure is too high and does not permit effective removal of the impurities from the circulating MEA solution. The problem is due in part to the generation of excess 6O/ stean in the sulfur plant combustion gas coolers, B-904 & E-954,and excess 60F steam from the PT=705 turbine exhausts. ‘The operating pressures of the MEA regenerators were raised to 15PSIG in order to consume more 60# steam in the tover reboilers. Directionity, this improved the steam balance and reduced the export of 30# steam from the FMAY area. This exported 307 steam vas eventually dropped to the 154 system and vented to the atmosphere and therefore represents a vater loss from the steam system. What effect has increased tover pressure had on the regentrator ? Increasing the tover operating pressure raises the temperature in the re boiler. Alth ough higher temperatures aid in the regeneration of the MEA, it is desirable to operate the regenerator at a temperature as low as prace tical because of the adverse effect of temperature on corrosion and MEA de— gradation. The thermal degradation rate of MEA increases as the temperature is elevated. "uese addition decomposition products,vhich result from the higher operating pressure, add to the impurities vhich must be removed by the reclaimer. They are the sane impurities, discussed early, which cause corrosion, foaming and fouling. Lower operating pressures also aid in rejecting acid gases from the MEA, Equal regeneration of the MEA may be obtained at lover pressures. Therefore, the in creased regenerator operating pressure has had only a negative effect on the overall MEA system, It has increased the quantityof impurities vhich must be removed.EMISOR Ine Pi 7-0 7:56; 069405390 = 3 48. What effect has the increased tover operating pressure had on the Peart ee In addition to producing more thermal degradation products in the regenerator retoilers, this increase in pressure has creatly reduced the effectiveness of the reclaimer to remove impurities from the system, It has forced the re= Slaimer to operate a 19-19.5 PSIG. at this pressure, the steady state equi- ibrium temperature in the reclainer is 29 This leaves only 3°F betveen the steady state operating temperature and the 300°F thermal degradation Limit, In essence , the reclaimer concentrates the MEA solution to 76 weight percent and the cycle is nearly completed, Only small quanities of impurities vere removed and the cycle was very short and very ineffective because of the high operating pressure, Recommendations: A= The operating pressure of the MEA Regenerator tover, T=701 mist be lower ed. The tower pressure should de reduced to the lovest practical value consistent vith the sulfur plant operations, The target value is 10 PSIG. B- To remove the incentive to operate the regenerators at high pressure, additional discharge headers are recommended for two of the PT~705 tur- Dines, The new headers will provide the flexibility to discharge these turbines to either the 30¢ or 60 steam systems, this allows operations to balance the steam system within the FMAY area. Required piping modific~ ations vill be documented in Process Specification 11-74. This recommendation is in agreenent vith Case 12 of the Steam and Water Conservation Project, PEG MEMO No. 159, July 31, 1974. Why have we experienced High MEA Losses from the reclaimer 7 A large percentage of the 30 drums of pure MCA remaining in the reclainer at the end of the reclamation cycle have been dumped to the sewer, This has resulted because of the inability to maintain overall water balance within the MEA system during the recovery operation. The recovery operation requires that vater be added to the reclaimer to strip out the MEA. Presently, the only source of vater available for this purpose is steam condensate, an external source cf water. This water has not been successfully used because of the dilution problem, Each subsequent boil-off at a temperature lover than 300°F vequires that more than 80 pounds of water be added to drive 20 pounds of MEA back into the tower. In fact, the final boil-offs when the liquid phase concentration has dropped to 20 percent or lower in the reclaimer, require approximately 99 pounds of water for each pound of MEA recovered. With an external source of vater used to recover MEA, this operation either dilutes the overall MEA system or the recovery operation must be conducted at a very slow rate. A rate which vill allow the excess vater added to be lost overhead in the regenerator tower. Neither of these alternatives are acceptable.069405390 =: EnISOR: ING PRO Reconnen: ions: ‘The MEA remaining in the reclaimer can be recovered using an internal source of water vith no dilution problems, Vater from the overhead reflux system vill be used to strip the MEA back into the tower, In this manner there is no additional water added to the system, Process Specification 11-74 will contain the equipment specifications for this change. The required changes consist of piping to carry the reflux vater to the reclaimer and the valves and instrumention to add water to the reclaimer on temperature control. This equipment will permit the use of the above described method of MEA recovery, thus substantially reducing MEA losses.+Roelenanca Varo? - ComPotamuersro Teun VaP0k Mm/Hena/assa :. » TEMPEpoven i . = ~ dango Posto Contes! TEMeemru ca de WOE olen Do dt LOMPOTMUERTO FlUTUS VAPOZ A REHERNDOWES NAT Marcil tow - Comomaruam SFI @ DS ¥ vaoe A 2s4 7 OMbqamMand PIT qoferas DE CONDESA CHRAVERT. OPEVALON THM AS De VAP EN Tees las sere -donrrolaz S0Z PoTEr Dz ConDeEnlSado3 EwISOR: ING PROCESO;ginny PD oo} ab lie. | aor ray de 1 on oS A 1 Sd fT BAMA TPNH ONSH LL BPs daeya, dina: 10 ee9sess90 DE: 64-67-80 05:82PARA:OCN OPERACIONES29-9 SANO1OVYadO NDO:Vuvase:86 60 :aa osesereoo a OE. VAPok-Llawioa curve roa | MANOLANIME: SOLUTION | _ 3p 4o i fosI00ud ONT +HOSTHIaly LAME So\u" ree | Gets: :HOSTAa f08300ud NT {10:8 0-2-7 <= u6e0r690 ehONT ‘HOSTEL crass SECTION mae oF rue auva.e] [ surront a SECTION A-Awaa ING PROCESO; 4-7-0 B:125 15,080 1-45 III-J Amine Solution Filter Design Filtration sust be provided to remove the insoluble corrosion products and other suspended solids from the amine solution. These sus- pended particulates can foul equipaent, especially tower internals and exchangers, tesulting 1a increased pressure drops, lower exchanger heat transfer rates and poor tover efficiencies. They can lead to foaming in towers. Increased internal corrosion rates can occur in the amine treating unit, especially in equipment with high solution velocities/turbulence such a pumps and control valves, due to erosion of the protective tron sulfide and alkanolamine films fron the internal equipment surfaces by the sus- pended solution solids. Corrosion rates under solids deposited in stagnant areas of equipment are several times higher than normal corrosion rates. The amine solution filter is usually fed by a slipstream of lean solution from the discharge of the lean solution puap. Although this in- creases the lean solution pump capacity or AP, the filter is exposed.to « cool, relatively non-corrosive solution. Cleaning the filter 1s safer due to the lower Hz vapor pressure over the lean solution. Filtering of the entire circulating solution stream is usually not necessary, requires a such larger filter and presents the potential risk of losing lean solution flow to the absorber due to filter plugging. If filtering of the entire solution stream is desired, the filter must be provided with a high AP alara vhich alerts the operator and automatically opens a filter bypass valve- Using the amine solution filter on rich solution 18 not recom mended. The rich solution {8 hotter, more corrosive and has a higher aS vapor pressure than the cool lean solution. For these reasons, changeout of a spent filter which has been in the rich solution servica requires special precautions. Filtaring a slipstream of rich solution from the hydrocarbon flash/skiming drum would take advantage of the available pres~ suce drop between thac drum and the regenerator. Although filtering che entire rich solution stream will remove particulates picked up by the solu- tion in the absorbers before they can contaminate the regeneratot section, spectal precautions would be required to prevent loss of regenerator rich solution feed flow due to an unexpected plugging of the filter, e.g. a filter bypass line plus appropriate alarms and safety valves would be needed. Compared to lean solution filtering, the advantages of rich solu~ tion filtering seldom justify the increased safety risks during filter changeout. The solution filter ts used to maintain the total solids content tn the circulating solution at 0.1 wez or less. A ainioun of 10% of the total circulating solution rate should be passed through the filrer. The filer must be designed to remove all particles of 10 microns or larger, and preferably should be designed to remove particles less than 10 microns in diameter, The filter should be sized for between 1.0 to 1.5 gpm of solution/ft? of filter surface area. Higher flow rates are not recomended because they lead to short filter cycle lengths. Lower flow rates can be ( used to increase the filter cycle.EMIsOR: ING PROCESO; 4-7-0 8:12; o6gs05a90 15,080 mI~48 III-L Amine Solution Sump and Sludge Sump Design An underground vessel or covered in-ground tank, with assoctaced puap-out facilities, should be provided for low point draining of the amine solution from the amine treating unit. All low point drains, especially on equipment requiring periodic maintenance, such as filters and carbon treaters, should be piped to this ouap. This helps to minimize alkanolamine losses and reduces the environmental affects of the corrosive amine solution. Use of a presaure vessel for the amine solution sump allows US-rich vapors from the sump co be routed to flare rather than vented to the atmosphere. ‘The amine solution sump vessel or tank 1s normally sized co handle the volume of solution below the low liquid level in any vessel in the amine treating mit. The associated pump-out facilities are designed to pump out the sump to the rich solutioa hydrocarbon flash/skimaing drum. With MEA and BGA, piping should also be provided co allow pumping the amine solution from the amine solution sump to the reclaimer. This vill allow recovery of con- taminated amine solution from this auap. : When environmental regulations preclude dumping sludge/solids from che reclatmer, solution filter or carbon treater to the sewer, a sludge sump aust be provided for the amine treating unit. The sludge sump is usually a conctete pit with a water overflow veir. When a reclaimer, solution filter or carbon treater {s cleaned, the sludge/solida/wash water is dumped to’ the sludge sump where che water overflow to a sewer and che solids are collected in the pit for future pumpour, e.g. by a vacuum truck. The eludge sump aust be designed to ensure that the sludge/solids settle out and remain ia the sump pit when the reclaimer, solution filter or carbon treater 1s dumped to the sump. The inlet pipe to either sump should extend into the sump below the low liquid level 6 inches to provide a liquid seal. The sump high Liquid level should be located below the ground frost line. The drain piping should slope continuously downward from the unit equipment to the sump. Cathodic protection must be provided for any buried piping and equipmenc.EMISOR: ING PROCESO; 4-7-0 8:02; 069405990 = F #4 15,080 vI-20 VI-D Reclaiming MEA and DGA regeneration systems normally use a reclaimer to keep the amine solution clean and to reduce alkanolamine losses by reclaiming the alkanolamine from neat stable salts (HSS). Reclaiming removes high- doiling-point and non-volatile impurities, such as alkanolamine degradation products, salts and particulates/solids, from the solution by distil- lation. "These impurities remain in the rectatmer (until reclaimer cleaning) and the alkanolamine/water solution is boiled off. Caustic (NaOH), or the strong dase, is added to the solution in the reclaimer to ]fberate the alkanolamine tied up in HSS. Since NaOH is a stronger base (nigher pH) than MEA or OGA, the NaOH reacts with the strong acias (including chlorides) and organic acids in the HSS to form non-volatile, sodium salts, thereby releasing the alkanolamine from the HSS. For MEA, WaQH addition to the reclaimer also reduces MEA losses by reducing MEA degradation to HEED in the reclaimer. See Sections VI-A.2, VI-A.2, VI-A.3, and VI-A.6 for 4 discussion of the sources of and problens from solution contamination by alkanolamine degradation products, HSS, particulates/ solids and chlorides. The reclaimer is basically a modified kettle reboiler. See Sec- tion III-I for design details. See Figure VI-0.1 for a typical reclaimer flowpian. A description of the reclaimer operation 18 given in Section VI-D.1, Section VI-D.2 discusses the effect of key process variables on reclaining. Finally, typical reclaimer operating procedures are outlined in Section ¥I-0.3.STERM 1150 PSIG FLARE 4 STEAM ‘CONDENSATE * FOR DBA WATER FROM REGENERATOR REFLUX ORUM TYPICAL RECLAIMER SYSTEM LEAN SOLUTION CAUSTIC OR FROM BOTTOM SOLUTION OF REGENERATOR OR REBOILER‘STEAM (150 PSIG FOR HER OR -375 PSIG FOR DGAD STEAM CONDENSATE Flt VENT WATER FROM REGENERATOR REFLUX DRUM NA CAUSTIC OR CARBONATE SOLUTION TO SEWER FIGURE VI-D.2 MODIFIED LOW PRESSURE TO SAFE LOW-PRESSURE LOCATION. E.G. SRU FEED DRUM DOLOW RESEARCH 4 ENGINEERING CO. SEPT.20,1983| COOLING HATER ( 22-1A LEAN SOLUTION FROM REROILER CLEAN AMINE SOLUTION IN LIQUID PHASE RECLAIMER SYSTEM Rasa ont feore = 06sERISOR ING PROCESO; 4-7-0 8:03; 069405390 =: 4 415,080 vI-23 VI-0.1 Description of Reclatmer Operation The operation of the reclaimer begins with charging of the re~ claimer with caustic, or other strong base. Aftar charging with caustic, the reclaimer is filled vith a slipstream of hot lean amine solution from e bottom of the regenerator or reboiler. The hot lean solution slipstream is fed to the reclaimer under level control. The solution ia the reciainer is then heated to the boiling temperature. Steam, condensing on the tubeside of the exchanger, 1s usually used to supply heat to the reclaimer. For MEA, 150 psig steam is typically used while 375 psig steam is typically used for DCA. VI-D.1.1 Alkanolamine Concentration Step The vapors generated by boiling the solution are usually returnéd from the reclainer to the regenerator cover. The first vapors leaving the reelainer and returning ¢o the regenerator are mostly water. This occurs because the vapor pressure of water is lower than that of MEA and DCA. As the water is boiled off more rapidly than the MEA or DGA, the concentra~ tion of MEA or DGA in the reclaiser solution increases relatively quickly. A relatively fast increase in the temperature of the boiling liquid in the reclaimer consequently occurs. The concentration of alkanolamine in the vapors leaving the reclaimer also increases. The alkanolamine concentration aod boiling temperature of the solution in the reclaimer increase until the rate of alkanolamine in the vapors leaving the reclaimer is equal to the alkanolamine rate in the hot lean solution feed entering the reclaimer. As the aluanolamine becones concentrated in the reclaimer, the alkanolamine content in the circulating golution drops - a 1.5 to 2% drop im the solution concentration is not unusual for MEA. This is because a Significant quancity of alkanolamine has been temporarily renoved from the circulating solution into the reclaimer without removing the corresponding quantity of water. VI-D.1.2 Steady-State Boiling Step A steady state equilibrium 1s reached where the rates of alkanol~ amine and wacer vapors leaving the reclainer equal the rates of alkanol~ amine and water entering the reclaimer. With a 20 wet lean MEA solution feed stream entering and a 20 wti MEA vapor stream leaving the reclaimer, the liq~ uid phase in the reclatmer will contain about 76 wt MEA. Once this equili- brium has been reached in the reclaimer, the MEA and water in the lean MEA solution feed stream pass through the reclaizer, and ocly the higirbotling— point and non-volatile impurities are accumulated in the reclainer.EHISOR: ING PROCESO; 7-0 8:04; 069405390 ~ i AB te 15,080 vI-26 For DGA solutions containing > 50 wt DGA, special precautions ust be taken to avoid excessive reclainer temperatures during the steady state equilibrium boiling step. With a reclaimer pressure of 15 psig (or nore), a reclaimer temperature above 375°F is needed to obtain a DCA con- centration of 50 wt% in the vapor phase. Therefore, for concentrated DCA solutions, water aust be added co the reclaimer with the lean DGA feed atream during the steady state boiling step to allow reclaimer operation at 375F or lesa in the vapor atream leaving the reclaizer. Water addi— tion allows ateady state operation of the DGA reclaimer with a ut DCA content {n the vapor stream leaving the reclaimer which {s lover than the we% DGA in the lean DGA solution feed to the reclaimer. To prevent water balance probleas in the DGA treating unit, regenerator reflux (overhead condensate) aust be used for water addition to the DGA reclaimer. A lover DGA concentration in the exiting vapors requires a lower DCA concentration in the reclainer liquid and cherefore a lover liquid boiling temperatare tn the reclaimer. ‘ If there are no {mpurities present tn the circulating anine solution, the liquid in the reclaimer will continue to toil indefinitely at the same steady state equilibrium conditions. If there are impurities present in the solution, they vill accumulate in the reclaimer- For MEA and dilute DGA, this causes the boiling temperature of the reclainer liquid to gradually rise. For concentrated DCA, it results in a gradual increase in the water addition rate to the reclaimer. When the reclaimer liquid teapera~ ture reaches 310°F for MFA or 3850F for dilute DCA, or when excessive vater addition to the reclaimer ts required for concentrated DGA to maintain the reclainer Ifquid at 375°F, frech lean solution feed to the reclaimer. cust be discontinued. Above 310°F for MEA and 385°F for DGA, apprectable thermal degradation of the alkanolamine begins and undesirable impuritics could be distilled back to the regenerator. VI-0.1-3 Alkanola: covery Step When the lean anine solution feed to the raclaimer ic discontinued at the end of the steady-state boiling cycle, the reclaimer { full af con— taminated solution containing a high alkanolamine concentration. The quan- tity of alkanolamine in the reclaimer is a significant fraction of the total alkanolamine content in the circulating amine solution ~ 10% of the total ts not unusual. If this concentrated solution vere dumped as is fron the re~ claimer, a significant quantity of alkanclazine would be lost from the amine treating unit. Therefore, the next step ts co recover as auch of the alka~ nolamine from the reclaimer as possibli This alxanolamine recovery step {s basically the reverse of the alkanolanine concentration step which occurred at the start of the reclaizer boiling cycle. With the lean solution feed line blocked, water is added to the reclaimer under level control as the solutton is bofied. Gradually, the alkanolamine concentrations in the reclaimer liquid and in the vapors leaving, the reclainer decrease, as well as the reclaimer boiling temperature. at the very end of this water dilution step, further stripping with live steaa sparging recovers additional alkanolanine and is helpful in cleaning the Fesidue from the reclaicer tube bundle:ENISOR: ING PROCESO; 4-7-0 6:04; 069405390 =: i 15,080 vI-25 The water dilutton/steam sparging 1s stopped when essentially all the alkanolamine has bees removed from the reclaimer. The residue remaining im the reclaimer is discarded by flushing with fresh (not salt) water. If the residue 1s a thick, concentrated sludge, then the reclainer efficiency is satisfactory. If only a omall anount of sludge 1s presect, thea re- claimer operation has been poor, t-e. the reclaimer cycle length was too short and the alkanolamine lost with the reclaimer residue is being unnec~ essartly wasted.EWISOR: ING PROCESO; 4. 7- 0 8:05; 069405390 = Morte 15,080 vI-26 VI-D.2 Reclatmer Process Operating Variables ‘The following is a list of fundamental variables which affect che reclaieing process and therefore the operation of the reclaimer: 1) Reclainer temperature 2) Reclaimer pressure 3) Reclaimer heat duty (steam flow rate) 4) Lean amine solution tnlet flowrate co reclainer 5) Lean arine solution inlet composition/quality 6) Caustic addition to reclaimer 7) Water addition to reclaimer All of these process variables cannot be varied independently. Sone have been fixed to some extent during design of the reclaimer. Others are dependent on other variables, e.g. reclaimer tenperature depends on-re~ claimer pressure, lean amine solution inlet composition and water addition to the reclaizer. Zach of these variables has an effect on che reclainer operation as will be discussed next. VI-D.2.1 Reclaizer Temperature The reclainer temperature aust be suffictently high to bofl the solution in the reclaimer at the reclaimer pressure. For a given reclaimer pressure, the bolling teaperature of the reclafmer liquid increases vith increasing alkanolamine and contaminant concentrations in the reclainer Liquid. It {s desirable to operate the reclaiaer at the lowest practi temperature to minimize alkanolanine decomposition and corrosion in the reclaimer. For MEA and dilute DGA, there is no direct temperature control in the reclainer. For concentrated DGA solutions (i-e. > 50 ut% DGA), reclaimer boiling temperature aust be controlled by adding water to the reclainer to avoid excessive DCA concentrations in the reclaimer liquid. Temperatures in the reclainer oust be maintained below 310°F and 379°F for MEA and DGA respectively. Above these limits, apprectable alkanolacine degradation begins and undesirable impurities could be discilles back to the regenerator. Impurities gradually accumulate in the reclainer Liquid during the reclaimer steady state boiling cycle. For MEA and dilure DGA, the accumulation of impurities causes the boiling temperature of the reclaimer Liquid to increase. for concentrated DGA, 1t causes the water addition rate to the reclaimer (which 1s under reclaimer tenperature control) to increase. _ r + For concentrated DGA, the lengch of the veclainer boiling cycle is analogously set by the initial water addictoa rate to the reclainer (as required to maintain the eteadv—atate boiling temperature of the reclaimer liquid at or below 375°F) and the rate ac which this vater addition increases due to the accumulation of contaminants-ENISOR: ING PROCESO; 4-7-0 6:05; 089405300 = 3 415,080 vi-27 The initial steady erate boiling conditions in the reclaimer, 1.2. temperature for MEA or vater addition rate to the reclaimer for DGA, are set by the reclaimer pressure and the alkanolamine concentration ic the lean amine solution. Minimizing the reclaimer pressure minimizes the temperature needed to boil the reclaimer liquid, or the water addition rate to the re~ clainer required for controlling that temperature, and therefore helps to maximize the reclaimer boiling cycle length. VI-D.2.2 Reclaimer Pressure Typically the reclaimer operating pressure is essentially the same as the regenerator reboiler pressure. Hence, the reclaimer pressure is not an independent variable. As discussed in the previous Section VI-D.2-1, aini~ nizing the reclaimer operating pressure, by operating the regenerator at’ aini— tun practical pressure, is important to minimize the temperature required.to boil the solution in the reclaiser and thereby maximize the reclainer cycle length. For example, with a 20 wt% lean MEA solution entering the re~ claimer, the reclaimer liquid will contaia about 76 wt% MEA at steady state botling ‘conditions. In the absence of impurities, such as at the start of the steady-state boiling cycle in the reclainer, this 76 wet MEA solution will boil at 290°F at 15 psig and at 299°F at 20 peig. Therefore, wich a reclaimer pressure of 15 psig, a 20°F (310°F ~ 2900F) increase in the sceady-state reclaimer boiling temperature {s available for accumulation of impurities ia che reclaimer liquid during the reclaimer cycle. However, ac 20 psig in the reclatmer, only a 11 °F (310°F - 2990F) increase in the reclaimer temperature is available resulting ia an unreasonably short re~ claimer boiling cycle length. A modified reclaimer design has been used in some units to mini mize the reclataer operating pressure. This modified reclainer system design is shoun in Figure VI~D.2, With the reclaimer system shown io Figure VI-D.2, the reclaimer caa be operated at pressures significaatly lower than the regenerator reboiler pressure. Reclaimer operating temperatures are therefore substantially reduced. VI-D.2.3 Reclainer Heat Duty (Steam Flow Rate) The reclainer heat duty 1s an adjustable variable. The beat input determines the rate of vapor botled out of the reclaimer and therefore the Fate of lean amine solution faed to the reclaimer. Steam is usually used 1 supply heat to the reelaimer: ~ 150 psig stean for MEA and~375 psig steaa for DGA. ‘The use of the reclaimer and the reclaimer heat duty, e.g. stean flow tate, should be controlled as needed to maintain the total concentration of alkanolamine degradation products plus heat scable salts in the circula~ ting amine solution below 1 wt2, preferably below 0.5 wrt.415,080 pea vi-28 The hot vapors leaving the reclaimer are usually returned co th bottom of the regenerator and therefore are a source of heat input to the regenerator. When the reclaizer is in operation, the regeaerator rebotler heat ducy muse be decreased, by an amount equivalent to the reclainer heat duty, to aaintain a conscast regenerator operation. Toward the end of the reclaimer “steady-state” boiling step, the reclaimer tube bundle becoues fouled with sludge. The heat transfer rate declines causing the reclaimer heat duty to drop off, e.g. the rate of steam condensation on the tubeside of the reclaimer declines causing the flow of steam to the reclatmer tubeside to fall off. This can be used to signal when to end the reclaimer “steady-state” boiling step and start the alka~ nolamine recovery step. VI-D.2.4 Lean Amine Solution Inlet Flowrate to Reclaimer The lean amine solution feed to the reclaimer fron the regenerator is directly controlled by the reclaimer level controller. As discussed in the previous Section VI-D.2.3, rhe reclaimer heat duty ultimately determines the rate of lean amine solution feed to the reclaizer. The lean amine solu- tion feed rate Co the reclaimer should be maintained to control the total concentration of alkanolamine degradation products plus heat stable salts in the circulating amine solution below I uti, preferably less than 0.5 wei. Typically, the lean amine solution feed rate to the reclaimer ts about 1Z to 3% of the cotal amine solution circulation rate. The lean amine solution feed rate to the reclainer varies accord- ing to which step of the reclaiming cycle is in progress. During the alka- nolamine concentration step at the beginning of the reclaiming cycle, water evaporation rate in the reclaimer ie high requiring a high lean amine solu~ tion feed rate to maintain level control. As the reclaiming cycle progres~ ses, the reclainer feed rate tends to decline. During the alcanolanine recovery step near the end of the reclaiming cycle, the lean amine soiution flow to the reclaimer is blocked. - Solution [niet Composition/Quality This ts a reclaiaer process operating variable which cannot be directly controlled. Laboratory analyses of the circulating anine solution samples are required to determine the composition and quality of the lean amine solution feed to the reclaimer. Increasing the concentration of alkanolamine in the lean amine solucion increases the boiling poine of chat solution thereby requiring higher operating temperatures in che reclainer. The quality of the lean amine solution depeads on the levels of amine degradation products, heat stable salts, and suspended particulaces in the solution. Higher levels of these contaminants in the lean az: solution will cesult in shorter reclaining cycles.ENISCF ne eee €15,080 = — vi-30 VI-D.2.7 Water Addition to Reclat For concentrated DGA solutions (1-e. > 50 wt% DCA) and a reclainer pressure of 15 psig or more, water oust be added to the reclaimer during the steady state boiling step to maintain reclaimer operating tenperatures at 375°F or less. (See Section VI~D.1.2). Also, during the alkanolamine recovery step ac the end of the MEA or DGA reclaiming cycle, water aust be added co the reclaimer to dilute the Ifquid in the reclaimer in order to atrip the alkanolaaine out of the reclaimer and back into the tegeneracor. Note that use of an external source of water for water addition to che reclainer can cause a water balance problen in the azine treacing system. Water added to the reclaimer ts botled out of the reclaimer into the regen— erator. If an external source of water is used for reclainer water addition, then an equivalent azount of water aust be renoved from the amine treating unit by purging the regenerator overhead condensate. Stace the regenetator overhead condensate contains up to 1f alkanolanine, purging this condensate increases alkanolasine losses from the amine treating unit. To solve this problen, a portion of the regenerator overhead condensate (regenerator re- flux), which ta essentfally all water, should be used for the reclainer water’ addition. Any vater added co the reclainer must be deaerated and chlorides- free. Chlorides accuaulation in the reclaimer can cause stress corrosion cracking of stainless steel reclainer components.ENISOR ING PROCESO; 4-7-0 8:07; 069405390 = : 15,080 1-31 VI-D.3. Reclaimer Operating Procedures Following are typical operating procedures for a reclaimer- See Figure YI-D.1 for a sketch of a typical reclaimer systen. Valve numbers refer to Figure VI~D.1. See Section VI-D.1 for a general description of reclaimer operation. VI-D.3.1 Reclatmer Startup Procedure © At this stage the reclaiser is completely tsolated fron the regenerator and utilities and the regenerator is operating normally. @ Perforn a laboratory test to decermine the level of HSS plus alkanol- amine degradation products in the circulating anine solution. If the concentration of HSS plus degradation products 1s approaching or exceeds 1 weS of solution then the reclaimer should be started up. @ Adnit a predetermined quantity of caustic (NaOR) or sodium carbonate solution {nto the reclainer by opening valve No. 1 and the reclainer level control valve. (A 20° Be” caustic solution {s typically used). Sufficient caustic, or carbonate, must be charged to the reclainer to ensure the presence of “free caustic", in the reclaiaer sludge at the end of the reclaiming cycle. (See Section VI-D.?.6)- Close valve No. te © Open che reclainer vapor outlet line valve (No. 2) to balance the re~ claimer on the regenerator pressure. @ Open the reclaimer lean anine solution inlet Line valve (No. 3) and commission the reclaimer level controller. Set the level controller to maintain reclaimer level at about 50% (thie vill keep the liquid level in the reclainer well above the top of the reclaimer tube bundle- © After the Liquid level ts established in che reclainer, commission the reclafmer steam flow controller to admit stear flow to the reclainer tube bundle. Check that the reclaimer steam sparger inlet line valve (No. 4) fs closed. Also, ensure that the stean trap inlet and outler valves (Nos. 5 a, b, c, and d) are open. Reduce the regenerator re- boiler duty by an anount equivalent to the reclaimer heat duty. © The alkanolamine concentration in and temperature of the solution in the reclainer will increase relatively quickly. 4s the alkanolanine becomes concentrated in the reclainer, the alkanolamine level in the circulating amine solution will drop. The performance of che amine treating unit should be carefully sonitored at this time and steps taken as needed to prevent adverse effects of the decrease in alkanol- amine concentration in the circulating amine solution. © For concentrated DCA, commission the reclaimer temperature controller before the solution teaperature in the reclaimer reaches 375°F.EursoR 4, 1c PROCESO; 4. 7-0 8:08; 069405390 215,060 vi-32 As the steady-state reclataing proceeds, high-botling-poine and non-volatile {mpuriries (auch as alkanolamine degradation products, salts, particulates/solids) accumulate {n the reclaimer. As the concentration of these impurities builds up in the reclaimer liquid, the reclaimer liquid potting tenperature increases for MEA or the reclainer water addition rate increases for DGA. The length of the steady-state boiling atep ts variable and will depend on the quantity of iupurities being removed from the ctrcula~ ting auine solution. The end of the steady-state boiling step 1s decemined by a reclainer Liquid toiling teaperature of 310°F for MEA or 385°F for dilute DCA, or by an excessive reclaimer vater addition rate for concentrated DCA. At the end of the steady-state boiling step, the alkanolanine cust recovered from the reclaimer and the reclaimer cleaned. VI-D.3.2 Procedure for Recovery of Alkanclaaine Reaaining in Reclainer at End of Reclaiming Cycle : © Close the reclainer lean amine solution inlet line valve (No. 3) and open valve No. 6 to send water from the regenerator reflux drua to the reelaimer. Continue to use the reclaimér level controller to maintain the normal liquid level in the reclainer. © Continue botling the liquid in the reclainer while adding regenerator reflux water to maintain reclainer level. Do not allow the reclainer Lqutd teaperature to exceed 310°F for MEA or 385°F for DCA. The reclaimer liguid cenperature will decrease as the alkanolamine conceatra~ tion decreases in the reclainer liquid. © When the reclaimer Iiquid temperature stops falling, most of the alkanclamine has probably been recovered from the reclaimer Liquid. Normally, che reclainer liquid temperature should fall below the temperature of the solution in the rebotler. * A small injeceton of caustic or sodium carbonate solution tato the reclainer, by opening and closing valve No. 1, aay be useful at this tine to help liberate additional alkanolanine fron the HSS in the reclatmer Liquid. © Take a eample of reclaimer liquid to the laboratory for analysis of alkanolanine content. The liquid should contain less than 5 vtx alkanolamine ~ 1f not continue boiling of the recleimer liquid, vhile adding regenerator reflux water. © Open the reclainer steam sparger inlet line valve (No. 4) co admit live steam into the reclaimer. This vill help strip additional alkanolanine from the reclatner and agitate the reclaimer Mqutd to loosen salts and solids encrusted on reclaimer internal surfaces. after a few hours, close the stean sparger inlet valve (No. 4.)EMISOR: ING PROCESO; 4-7-0 6:08; 069405990 =: i 15,080 ¥1-33 VI-D.3.3 Reclatmer Cleaning/Shutdown Procedure @ Once most of the alkanolasine has been recovered, stop the flow of steam to the reclaimer tube bundle and steam sparger- « Isolate the reclaimer from the regenerator and utilities (close valve Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 and the reclaimer steas flow control valve). © Open che drain vaive (No. 7) at the bottom of the reclaimer. Caution: Large amounts of pyrophoric iron sulfide may be present. Also, the sludge in the reclaimer may be very corrosive. * Open the manholes at the top of the reclaimer. @ Flush the reclainer internals thoroughly vith a jet of fresh water. ~ Do nat use salt or cooling water, or any vater containing chlorides. @ Once the reclaimer has been thoroughly washed and drained, close the sanholes and the drain valve (No. 7). © The reclatmer is again ready for st: etup7- 0 6:08; 069405390 = ; ING PROCESO; 4 Me lorsuue seu Page 503 0.$. 90-03 MPERATURE STRUMENTS: Valve Packing instrument Number Service Requirenents T101-R L8G Feed to Absorber T-2161 : To2-Ic Feed Temperature to Regenerator T-2162 8 103-41 Lean Solution Cooler €-2162 - T04-1C Solution Surge Tank TIC-2161 - 1105-1 FLEXSORB®SE Receiving TIC-2162 : PRESSURE INSTRUMENTS Pl01-a1 Wash Section Pressure Drop T-2161 : P102-a1 De-mister Pressure Drop 1-216] : P103-dI Main Bed Pressure Drop T-2161 » P104-dI Absorber T-2162 Pressure Drop . P105-IC Regenerator Pressure Controller 8 P106-d1 Solution Filter (FIL-2161) Pressure Drop = PI07-1C Nitrogen Pressure Let-down Controller & P108-IC Nitrogen to Solution Surge TK-2161 ri P109-iC Nitrogen to Receiving Tank TK-2162 - 7. i Pio-dI Bottom De-mister Pressure Drop T-2162 = MISCELLANEOUS INSTRUMENTS ‘EBV-101 Remote Shutoff - Bottom of T-2161 B EBV-102 Remote Shutoff - H2S to Sulfur Plant B ANALYZERS: a101-R 2S Content of Absorber Product : Al02-8 HS Area Alarm - ee TION: a = \ ervil =o mouol Ne me -2164 o RO- 102 Sour Water to 0-2108 0.688 Ro-103 “~~~ —Depressure 0-2164°to-F2161,_. 0.500frerture Balamer for Ledn brbntirre Con euet (T2002 go 1 26z) Go cere pt Tea ha — 2 ah jw pee. Ayt—a Phe Tk-2101 eu, 6-2ue Dope : Are Pp OPM Ga AP* Spaz 4 a usin fos300ud ONT {60:8 0-2-7 <= 06€50?690 wusee15,080 I-31 III-D Regenerator Reboller Design The regenerator reboiler to usually a kettle~type or horizontal thermosyphon-type reboiler, but there are also some vertical therzosyphons- For smaller reboilers, kettle rebotlers are usually specified. Yor large rebotler heat dut: Vertical thermosyphon rel thermonyphon reboilers because the overall heat transfer coefficient is less, and therefore the heat transfer ares is greater, for vertical thermo syphons. Since most regenerator reboilers are kettle-type and horizontal thermoayphon-type reboilers, this discussion will be mostly directed toward the design of these types of reboilers. The regenerator rebotler is uaually heated by steam. The steam _ should be saturated as it enters the tube bundle. This may require water injection for desuperheating after the steaa passes through an inlet control valve. The steam temperature should not be above 310°F to prevent tube wall temperatures from exceeding 300°F. 50-60 peig saturated steam meets these requirements. Tube wall temperatures above 300°F can lead to exces sive alkanolamine degradation and corrosion. The steam rate control valve should be located at the inlet to the reboiler to keep the condensate from flooding the tubes and concentrating the heat flux in the top section of the bundle. There has been fairly vide range in the design overall heat trans fer coetticteat, Ug, for a seboller vaporizing an, amine solution. Values of Uy have ranged from’ 125 co 260 Btu/hr-ft2-OF. Calculating the U, using the Design Practices procedure for a stean generator, which this reboiler closely approximates, yields values in the 180-220 range. Using the Design Practices mechod for calculating Up for exchangers in vaporizing service gives sumbers in che 130-150 Bru/hr-£t2-°F range. Up's in the 180-220 range should be used for design of kettle and horizontal cheracsyphon reboilera. For vertical thermosyphon reboilers, the Design Practices method for vertical thermo~ Syphons should be used to calculate the Us. Typical reboiler designs have used a shellside fouling factor of 0.002 and a tubeside fouling factor of 0.001. The rebotler design recommendations in the following paragraphs apply to kettle and horizontal thermosyphon reboilers. To provide good circulation of the amine solution around the re~ boiler tubes and to reduce fouling caused by sludge accumulation, che cube bundle should be placed oa a slide about six inches above the bottom of the rebotler shell. A “U” tube design is auch preferred over a flosting head design. A tight fit should be required on new designs between the tubes and the baffles to minimize tube vibration and consequent cutting at baffles. Consideration should also be given to providing a closer baffle pitch than that required for support of the tube bundle. On existing units vhera the paffle holes may be enlarged, high-temperature teflon tube inserts may be provided to give a tight baffle to tube fit.4. 7-0 8:10; 06940590 = 5 enison qr1-32 A1,25 toch, square pitch (not rotated) tube pattern is recom od pundle to provid yy cleaning. The cubes are widely spaced Eo permit a rapid escape of the boiling solution vapors and to reduce the high-velocity scrubbing action encountered ia tapid boiling media. This scrubbing removes the protective film of corrosion products on the tubes and increases corrosion. Providing several vapor outlet nozzles in the reboiler shell will reduce atagnant pockets of acid gas in the top of the reboiler. The kettle rebotler bundle should always be covered with 6-8 inches of Liquid to prevent localized drying and overheating. Severe cor- rosion will occur if tubes are exposed above the liquid level. ‘The vapor disengaging area over the high liquid level in a kettle rebotler should be sized, es shoys in the Design Frantices: section on drum eaten, uslag a fairly conservative percent of critical velocity, © sai multiple veror GuETet noszies,EnisoR ING PROCESO; 4-7-0 8:10; ~~ ust _ III-1 Reclaimer Design A reclaimer is normally provided for MEA and DGA treating units co maintain amine solution purity by removing alkanolanine degradation pro- ducts, heat stable salts (WSS), and solide. Briefly, hot lean amine solu- tion from the regenerator bottom or reboiler is charged to the reclainer with caustic or sodium carbonate (added to liberate the alkanolamine from the HSS) and the alkanolamine and water ia distilled off and returned to the regenerator. A slipstream of hot lean amine aolution 18 added con tinuously during distillation to eaistaia the Liquid level in the reciainer. For DGA, water askeup £0 added to the reclainer with the lean solution for temperature control. At the end of the reclataing cycle, lean solution feed to the reclaimet ts stopped and distillacion 1s continued wtch vater makeup under level control to strip the alkanolantne from the reclaimer Liquid. Thea, direct steam sparging into the reclaizer is used to strip additional alkanolamine from the reclaimer and to break up solid deposits in the re- claimer. The teclainér is then isolated and cleaned. See Section VI-D for amore detailed discussion. = The reclaimer is used to aalataia the level of heat stable salts plus alkanolamine degradation products below 0.5 wtZ in the cireulating solution. Normally, the reclainer is designed to handle ! co 32 of the circulating lean amine solution rate, The reclaimer kettle size is usually set to give 4 shell liquid capacity of about 100 gal per GPM of reclainer feed (1.e., about I to 3 gal per GPM of circulating lean solution). Lean solution from the reboiler liquid outlet should preferrably be used for feed to the reclaimer to aininize the acid gas content in the reclaimer feed. However, lean solution from tha bottom of the regenerator ds also acceptable. If Common regenerator nozzles are used to feed liquid amine solution to and return vapors from both the reboiler and reclaimer, then the pressure balances through these equipaent items and associated piping valving are critical. The reclaimer elevation must provide suffi- cient static head for the reclaimer feed to allow feeding the reclainer under level control. As a less preferred alternative for MEA reclainers, the reclainer liquid level may be balanced on the rebotler weir to elimin— ate the need for a level control valve on the reclaimer feed. Then, a re~ claimer level contro! valve is required only on the reclatmer water sakeup. Water makeup to the reclaimer must be provided under reclatzer level control. For DGA reclaimers, facilities aust be also provided for water makeup to the reclaimer under reclaimer teaperature control while the reclaimer is simultaneously being fed by lean solution under level control. (This water aakeup is needed to prevent excessive DGA concentrations and temperatures in the reclaimer liquid.) A preferred source of water sakeup to the reclaimer ts a portion of the regenerator overhead condensate. Use of this water source eliminates potential problems with water balance in the amine treating unit which can occur 1f an external supply of water is used. If an external supply of water is provided to the reclaimer, ic aust be deaerated and chloride-free to prevent alkanolamine degradation and stress corrosion cracking in the reclaimer.A 310; 089405390 ING PROCESO; mI~42 Direct steam sparging must be provided {ato the solution below che reclaiaer tube bundle. This 4a used for improved reclaimer tenperature con trol, improved alkanolasine stripping from the solution in the reclainer, and atsimizatton of reclaimer fouling. It is normally required only at the ead of the reclaimer cycle, The steam sparger is designed using the methods given in Section XIV-B of Design Practices for perforated pipe distributors. Awear plate gust be provided under the aparger to protect the reclainer shell. The solution in the reclatser aust be heated to suffictent tem perature to strip out the MEA or DCA at the reclaimar prescure. For MEA, with its relatively high vapor pressure and relatively low concentration in the solution, the reclaimer heat source aust heat the MEA solution to 300- 310°F. For BGA, with tts lover vapor pressure and higher solution con- centrations, a higher temperature heat source must be used. The DGA solu- Sion must be heated to 365~3750F in the reclaimer. Yor MEA, 150 psig steam can be used to supply reclaimer heat whereas 375 psig steam would be required for the DGA reclainer. Positive isolation valving mst be provided on all lines entering and leaving the reclaimer to allow safe cleaning while the rest of the unit fs on-line. A large flushing nozzle must be provided at the lowest point of che reclaimer shell bottom to allow for dumping of sludge. A manway or large nozzle aust be included in the reclaimer top for hosing down the bundle and for caustic or, sodium carbonate addition. The comments in Section III-D concerning the design of the regen- erator rebotler cube bundle and vapor disengaging space also apply: to the reclaimer tube bundle as well, The steam sparger under the reclatner tube bundle is provided with holes directed away from the tubes to prevent erosion-corrosion. All internal connections must be flanged to elininate the need for rewelding and stress relieving of the reclaimer shell when replacement of internais is required. Crinkle wire mesh screens aust be provided at the vapor outlets to minimize liquid entrainment back to the regenerator. Typical reclainer design detaile are illustrated in Pigure I1I-I.1. 4 typical reclaimer system sketch is given in Figure VI-D.l. Design details for a aodified, low-pressure reclainer are shown in Figure IlI-[.2.and a corresponding teclaimer systen sketch is given in Figure VI-D.2. :The use of a low-pressure reclaimer for MEA permits reclaiming at lover temperatures thereby reducing MEA losses by thermal degradation and allowing longer re~ claimer cycles. For DGA, reclaiming at low pressure may elininate the aced for continuous water addition to control the temperature in the reclaimer. However, a lov prescure reclatuer ts significantly less energy efficient than a typical reelainer. With a typical reclainer, vapors from the reclainer ace returned to the regenerator so that the tegenerator rebotler beat duty is decreased when the reclaiuer 1g in use. With the low pressure reclainer, the vapors are condensed and therefore the reboiler heat duty 1s not reduced when the reclaimer is in use.