# US 2014/0194652 A1 · Process for Recovery of Alkanolamines Used in Amine Sweetening Processes > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0194652 A1 - Document ID: US20140194652A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/737,435 - Filed: 2013-01-09 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2013-01-09 - Assignees: Chem Group, Inc. - Inventors: Michael G. Millard - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140194652A1 ## CPC - C07C 213/02: by reactions involving the formation of amino groups from compounds containing hydroxy groups or etherified or esterified hydroxy groups - C07C 213/08: by reactions not involving the formation of amino groups, hydroxy groups or etherified or esterified hydroxy groups - C07C 213/10: Separation; Purification; Stabilisation; Use of additives - C07C: ACYCLIC OR CARBOCYCLIC COMPOUNDS ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein said circulating includes returning a portion of said product stream to said fluid stream. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein said pressure is up to about 250 psig. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein said feed stream is heated prior to introduction into said reaction zone. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein said feed stream comprises from about 0 wt % to about 20 wt % of carbamate precursor and from about 40 wt % to about 50 wt % alkanolamine. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein said product stream comprises less than about 4 wt % carbamate precursor. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein the amount of carbamate precursor present in said feed stream is monitored. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein said residence time is from about 30 minutes to about 1.5 hours. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein said alkanolamine is diglycol amine. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein said process is continuous. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The process of claim 1, wherein said gas stream is a hydrocarbon gas stream. ### Claim 12 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. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The process of claim 12, wherein said circulating includes returning a portion of said product stream to said fluid stream. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The process of claim 12, wherein said pressure is up to about 250 psig. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The process of claim 12, wherein said feed stream is heated prior to introduction into said reaction zone. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The process of claim 12, wherein said feed stream comprises from about 0 wt % to about 20 wt % of carbamate precursor and from about 40 wt % to about 50 wt % alkanolamine. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The process of claim 12, wherein said product stream comprises less than about 4 wt % carbamate precursor. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The process of claim 12, wherein the amount of carbamate precursor present in said feed stream is monitored. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The process of claim 12, wherein said residence time is from about 30 minutes to about 1.5 hours. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The process of claim 12, wherein said alkanolamine is diglycol amine. ### Claim 21 (depends on 12) The process of claim 12, wherein said process is continuous. ### Claim 22 (depends on 12) The process of claim 12, wherein said gas stream is a hydrocarbon gas stream.