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Michael S. DuPart
Thomas R. Bacon
David J. Edwards
Freeport, Texas
March 4 - 6, 1991
Norman, Oklahoma
UNDERSTANDING AND PREVENTING CORROSION IN
ALKANOLAMINE GAS TREATING PLANTS
Michael S. DuPart
Thomas R. Bacon
David J. Edward
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND
TYPES OF CORROSION
General Corrosion
Crevice Corrosion
Intergranular Corrosion
Selective Leaching
Erosion Corrosion
Hydrogen Damage
Metallurgy
Control Valves
Filtration
Stress Relieving
Miscellaneous
Choice of Amine
MEA, DEA and MDEA are the three most popular amines utilized
for acid gas treating (see Figure 8). Historically, MEA has
the worst reputation for corrosion problems. However, several
investigators have shown essentially no difference in
corrosion rates of the different amines in the absence of acid
gas.1,3,11,25,28 It is also well documented that MEA and DEA form
degradation products when reacted with CO2 and MDEA does
not.26,27,28 One investigator claimed that MEA/C02 degradation
products can enhance corrosion, but are not alone responsible
for corrosion.2 Other investigators have shown that DEA/C02
degradation products in the absence of acid gas do not enhance
corrosion. If MEA, DEA and MDEA have similar corrosion rates
with pure solutions and in the presence of basic degradation
products in the absence of acid gas, particularly C02, how does
one explain plant and laboratory corrosion results that show
MEA is more corrosive than DEA and DEA more corrosive than
MDEA? Teevens21 may have the best answer to this question. He
proposes that since MEA is a stronger Lewis base than DEA and
MDEA the weakest, reactivity plays a strong role:
Operating MEA, DEA and MDEA plants have all demonstrated that
corrosion can be minimized under proper operating conditions.
However, based on plant experience and laboratory corrosion
data, relative corrosivity of the amines would be ranked as
follows: MEA >> DEA >> MDEA with MDEA the least corrosive. It
would appear that MDEA is the most forgiving amine from a
corrosion standpoint.
Amine Strength & Acid Gas Loading
Table 3
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Amine Wt% Rich Loading, M/M
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MEA 15 - 20 0.30 - 0.35
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Table 4
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Amine Total Lean Loading, M/M
__________________________________________
_
MEA 0.10 - 0.15
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DEA 0.05 - 0.07
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MDEA 0.004 - 0.010
Corrosion Inhibitors
Make-up Water
Case Number 1
Situation: Treating was required for 300 psig gas with 45% C02
and 20 ppm H 2S to produce fuel gas. Process design called for
high rich loadings created by recirculating semi-lean and
utilized partial stripping via 10 psig flash of the rich to
semi-lean stream. Final stripping was accomplished with a
fired reboiler serviced stripper. The plant was a grass roots
design with all new equipment. The plant metallurgy was
predominantly carbon steel with 304SS intended for flashing
service, but found only in the cross exchanger and its
immediate downstream piping and the circulating-pumps.
Corrections:
Case Number 2
Case Number 3
Corrections: The bottom five trays were removed and the inlet
gas distributor turned upside down with the exit holes
pointed down. The liquid level in the contactor was
maintained above the inlet gas distributor and the corroded
area in subsequent operation of the plant to prevent direct
contact with the inlet gas and allow the inhibited MEA to
provide corrosion protection. The plant continued to utilize
the catalyst bed and oxygen injection in upfront processing,
but exercised caution in its operation. Later inspections
showed the corrective actions to have been successful.
Case Number 4
Corrections:
Case Number 5
SUMMARY