Application of ion chromatography of Metrohm company in gas refining process
Important analyzes in gas sweetening process
Natural gas contains acidic compounds such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon dioxide (CO2) and mercaptan. Since the presence of such acidic compounds in sour gas cause corrosiveness, it is necessary to ensure that they are removed before natural gas enters the pipelines.
This process is usually done by using aqueous solutions of alkanolamines such as monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA) and methyl diethanolamine (MDEA) as a scrubber solution by removing the acidic compounds of hydrogen sulfide and Carbon dioxide is produced from natural gas to sweeten sour gas. The gases adsorbed on the amine are separated from the amine solution so that the amine solution can be reused.
Anionic interferences (such as chloride, nitrate, etc.) as well as by-products of amine degradation (such as organic acids) by forming thermally stable salts (HSS) with amine cause inactivation and limit the ability of amines. and prevent them from reviving.
Therefore, measuring the amount of anions and organic acids in these solutions regularly is of particular importance. In order to reduce this problem during sour gas treatment, the amount of HSS should reach its minimum value and not exceed 10% of the total amine concentration.
Methods for measuring amines and anions
There are different analysis methods to determine the quality of amines. The proposed methods include measuring pH, concentration of amines, suspended particles, liquid hydrocarbons, chloride, iron, HSS and the amount of acid gas. Metrohm ion chromatography is used as a suitable method to measure the amount of amines and also to determine the amount of inorganic anions and organic acids in the amine solution.
Table 1 shows the test conditions for measuring amines, cations, anions and organic acids.
Figure 1 – Separation of a standard sample of anions and cations with a Swiss Metrohm IC conductometric detector
Application of Metrohm ion chromatography in cooling samples:
It is possible to measure anions in water and cooling samples after dialysis for ten minutes using the dialysis unit. If the injection of cooling samples is done directly, it will reduce the life of the column.
Figure 2- Measurement of anions in water and cooling samples by IC metrohm
Ethanol analysis by Swiss Metrohm ion chromatography:
Ethanol as a fuel is obtained from sugarcane fermentation. Ethanol is mainly used as vehicle fuel in two states without water or in hydrated state. Contamination of fuel with metal ions such as lithium, ammonium, sodium, calcium and magnesium affects engine performance. Metrohm Swiss ion chromatography device is very efficient in this case.
Figure 3 – Measurement of cations in ethanol by IC Metrohm
As the most famous and well-known company in the manufacture of this type of devices, the Ion Chromatography device of Metrom Switzerland has various other applications in the field of oil and gas, including the analysis of extracted water samples, the analysis of the steam production unit, etc. If you contact this company, the necessary guidance and advice will be provided. Artin Azma Mehr Company, as a representative of METROHM Swiss company, is able to supply all the equipment of this company and provide scientific and specialized services in this field.