Amine Foaming

Amine foaming results in the upset of the amine sweetening process. Indicators of amine foaming include fluctuating differential pressure across the amine contactor or still. As well, amine levels in vessels fluctuate. Excessive amine may be detected at the sweet gas scrubber downstream of an amine contactor. During Amine foaming incidents, the following areas should be investigated:

• dissolved hydrocarbons in the amine at the contactors:

-excessively cool lean amine that is condensing hydrocarbons

-poor inlet raw gas separation

-amine filter breakdown

• incorrect chemical usage:

-excessive injection or unsuitable type of corrosion inhibitor

-excessive injection or unsuitable type of antifoam agent

• dissolved impurities or suspended solids in amine:

-poor inlet raw gas separation

-particle filtration breakdown

-poor quality steam condensate (i.e., contaminated with boiler feedwater treatment chemicals) used as amine makeup water

-oxygen degradation of makeup MDEA