New inlet feed gas conditioning technology for contaminant removal in amine units

12/1/2023

D. ENGEL, Nexo Solutions, The Woodlands, Texas and S. NORTHROP, ExxonMobil Upstream Research, Spring, Texas Amine solvent foaming is a common challenge in gas treating plants, including those ahead of LNG manufacturing facilities. This can lead to reduced gas throughput, and in severe cases, solvent carryover and even plant shutdown. This foaming is ultimately caused by changes in the physical and chemical properties of the solvent. Chemical contaminants can lower amine solution surface tension and change surface rheology in such a way that foaming tendency is augmented, and foam is stabilized. Earlier work has shown that these contaminants are not restricted to liquid hydrocarbons but can