The nature and origin of the phenomenon of sedimentation in the MEG regeneration unit by instrumental analysis methods

The nature and origin of the phenomenon of sedimentation in the MEG regeneration unit by instrumental analysis methods

In fifth refinery of south pars gas complex, inefficiency of the filtration equipment is caused to severe aggregation of various precipitations with waxy forms in MEG regeneration unit packages. The mentioned problems have serious damages to the internal packages body such as distillation columns, trays, reboilers and meshes. Such damages result in decreasing of heating efficiency of exchangers, reflux problems in columns, producing purification percentage of lean MEG and pitting corrosion which are finally caused emergency shutdown and performing of maintenance overhaul for packages in during maximum six months period time for at least 2 out of 6 MEG regenerator packages. Instrumental analyses were applied for characterization of sedimenated precipitations, their nature and origins. The obtained results are given respectively from thermal decomposition method to determine the hydrocarbons weight pecentage in precipitations; inductively coupled plasma- optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) which is demonstrated elements of periodic table; X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis is presented crystallographic structure; Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for quantifying hydrocarbons compounds; Also, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) is applied to determine of shape and size of sedimenated precipitation components. According to obtained results, the origin and nature of the sedimenated precipitation found.

In fifth refinery of south pars gas complex, inefficiency of the filtration equipment is caused to severe aggregation of various precipitations with waxy forms in MEG regeneration unit packages. The mentioned problems have serious damages to the internal packages body such as distillation columns, trays, reboilers and meshes. Such damages result in decreasing of heating efficiency of exchangers, reflux problems in columns, producing purification percentage of lean MEG and pitting corrosion which are finally caused emergency shutdown and performing of maintenance overhaul for packages in during maximum six months period time for at least 2 out of 6 MEG regenerator packages. Instrumental analyses were applied for characterization of sedimenated precipitations, their nature and origins. The obtained results are given respectively from thermal decomposition method to determine the hydrocarbons weight pecentage in precipitations; inductively coupled plasma- optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) which is demonstrated elements of periodic table; X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis is presented crystallographic structure; Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for quantifying hydrocarbons compounds; Also, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) is applied to determine of shape and size of sedimenated precipitation components. According to obtained results, the origin and nature of the sedimenated precipitation found .