What is the reason for the high level of iron ions in the ammonia produced by the MDEA decarburization unit?
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The MDEA decarburization unit for ammonia synthesis has been in normal use for one and a half years; currently, foam is appearing and the iron ion concentration in the MDEA solution is high. What could be the causes? Could it be equipment corrosion?
The formation of foam is a phenomenon associated with foaming of the amine solution. Iron ions are definitely responsible for corrosion, and severe corrosion can lead to foaming of the amine solution as well as increased solvent loss. Check whether the pH value of the amine solution is too low, and whether any strong acid has entered the solution to form thermally stable salts; all these factors can contribute to increased corrosion in the amine solution system
Foaming occurs when there is an excessive amount of impurities; high levels of iron ions are definitely caused by corrosion
A decrease in the concentration of the MDEA solution leads to corrosion of the pipes, resulting in elevated levels of iron ions
Is the MDEA you use domestic or imported? Has there been any comprehensive analysis of MDEA solutions recently? What is the concentration of the thermally stable salt HSS? What is the chloride ion concentration? What is the concentration of the amine solution? Has the equipment team checked the thickness of the pipes, with a focus on the gas-liquid two-phase pipelines at the outlet of the reboiler in the regeneration tower?