Process for Recovery of Alkanolamines Used in Amine Sweetening Processes
AssigneeChem Group, Inc.
InventorMichael G. Millard
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Abstract
A process for recovering an alkanolamine from a used gas scrubbing stream wherein a dynamic reaction system is employed to maximize conversion of bis-urea compounds typically formed in the gas scrubbing operation into the alkanolamine and minimize the formation of amino ethers which irreversibly convert the alkanolamine. A method of removing waste products from the system by the use of a wiped film evaporator.
Claims22
A process for recovering an alkanolamine from a wash stream used to remove acid gases from gas streams, comprising:
- introducing a fluid stream comprising water, an alkanolamine, and a carbamate precursor into a reaction zone maintained at a positive pressure and at a temperature of from about 250° F. to about 400° F.;
- circulating said fluid stream through said reaction zone at a rate to provide a residence time of said fluid stream in said reaction zone sufficient to convert at least a portion of said carbamate precursor to said alkanolamine and carbon dioxide and minimize the formation of amine ethers;
- and
- recovering a product stream from said reaction zone comprising water, carbon dioxide and alkanolamine.
A process for recovering an alkanolamine from a wash stream used to remove acid gases from gas streams, comprising:
- introducing a fluid stream comprising water, an alkanolamine, and a carbamate precursor into a pressurized reaction zone, said reaction zone being at a temperature from about 250° F. to about 400° F.;
- circulating said fluid stream through said reaction zone at a rate to provide a residence time of said fluid stream in said pressurized reaction zone sufficient to convert at least a portion of said carbamate precursor to said alkanolamine and carbon dioxide and minimize formation of amine ethers;
- removing an overhead stream from said pressurized reaction zone, said overhead stream comprising water, carbon dioxide, and alkanolamine;
- removing a bottoms stream from said pressurized reaction zone;
- introducing said bottoms stream into a wiped film evaporator operated under vacuum;
- and
- recovering a product stream from said wiped film evaporator, said product stream comprising water and alkanolamine.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.