Amine gas treating

The amine scrubbing is a commonly used chemical process for separating carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide and other acid gases from gas mixtures.

Method

The term amine scrubbing is used because slightly alkaline aqueous solutions of amines (mostly ethanol amine derivatives) are used, which reversibly chemically absorb the acid gases. In a subsequent method step, the acid gas is thermally ( by heating ), again separated from the amine, and the recovered amine used again for washing.

Are used mostly diethanolamine and monoethanolamine, but in addition also methyldiethanolamine, diisopropylamine, diisopropanol and diglycolamine are common.

Use

This method is used, inter alia, in refineries, petrochemical plants, in the natural gas and biogas treatment and flue gas desulfurization. Recently, even considered to separate the carbon dioxide from flue gases in coal and gas power plants by amine scrubbing, and then store it underground or under the sea.