Amine liquid absorption tower

Is it a packed tower? There might be blockages! Is no filter in use for the process settings? If possible, increase the filtering frequency!

It might be holding back the liquid; try adding an antifoam agent.

Before identifying the true cause, please first determine the following parameters: 1) Whether the filter before the natural gas enters the tower is in use, and whether its filter elements have been replaced? What is the pressure drop of the filter? 2) Is the natural gas flow rate into the tower exceeding the designed maximum load? Is the amine solution flow at the design value? 3) The natural gas exiting the tower is cooled before entering the purified gas separator; monitor the indication of the level gauge in this separator to check whether the liquid level is rising 4) Monitor the liquid levels in the absorption tower, flash tank, and regeneration tower to check for any decrease in level 5) Is the temperature of the amine liquid entering the tower more than 5°C higher than the temperature of the natural gas entering the tower? 6) Analyze the components of natural gas entering the tower to determine whether there is an increase in dust or entrainment of heavy hydrocarbons 7) Mechanical equipment issues: Is the demister or packing at the top of the absorption tower clogged? After analyzing the above parameters, if the differential pressure in the absorption tower exceeds the allowable value, it indicates that foaming and flooding have occurred in the absorption tower. If the impurities and heavy hydrocarbons carried in the feed gas are not removed upstream and enter the absorption tower, it will cause foaming of the solvent ； If the temperature of the amine solution entering the tower is below the hydrocarbon dew point of the natural gas, it will also cause the heavier hydrocarbons in the natural gas to condense, resulting in foaming ； When the volume of natural gas exceeds the allowable load of the absorption tower, the operating gas velocity in the tower becomes too high, resulting in gas-liquid entrainment. The most noticeable effect is an increase in the liquid level in the purified gas separator, along with a decrease in the liquid levels in other equipment in the system; at this point, the pressure difference across the absorption tower also increases. Solutions include: 1) Ensuring that the volume of natural gas entering the tower does not exceed the design value, and thoroughly filtering the feed gas ； Replace the filter elements of the raw material gas filter, etc ； 2) Control the temperature of the amine liquid entering the tower to ensure it is at least 5°C higher than the temperature of the natural gas feed ； 3) Install amine liquid particle filters and activated carbon filters to reduce impurities and degradation products in the amine liquid. [Special note: Amine liquid activated carbon filters must not be used when adding defoamers.] 4) Inject defoamer ； 5) The final solution is to stop the plant and check whether there is blockage in the demister or packing of the absorption tower.

Try not to use defoamers if possible; only those who use them know the consequences...

The antifoaming agent must be used at the right time; of course, applying it before foaming not only fails to eliminate the foam but also makes it more stable, thereby worsening the operating conditions； The operating procedures also contain regulations regarding the addition of defoamers; it is necessary to conduct a foaming test on the amine solution before using it, as adding it blindly will have the opposite effect

This is a standard approach! Find the right path before proceeding with implementation!