Protection Purpose

Raw sour gas carries iron sulfide scale, compressor oil, condensed hydrocarbons, wax, and particulates. These contaminants foul amine solution causing foaming, corrosion, and reduced treating capacity. Inlet scrubbers remove debris before gas contacts MEA preventing costly solution degradation and operational problems.

Scrubber Design

Vertical vessel with gas inlet, liquid knockout section removing free liquids, filtration stage capturing solids above 10 microns, coalescing elements removing oil mist and aerosols, and clean gas outlet to amine contactor. Multiple stages handle diverse contaminants protecting amine system.

Filtration Technology

Basket strainers catch large particles like scale and debris. Cartridge filters remove smaller solids. Coalescing media captures liquid droplets and oil aerosols. Combined stages achieve 95-99% contaminant removal. Replaceable elements enable maintenance without vessel removal.

Material Selection

Carbon steel construction with corrosion allowances for sour gas. Stainless steel filter housings. Elements compatible with H₂S, hydrocarbons, and water. Design per ASME Section VIII for operating pressure typically 300-1500 psig matching upstream conditions.

Contaminant Impact

Iron sulfide fouls heat exchangers and plugs contactor packing. Hydrocarbons cause stable foams reducing contactor efficiency. Compressor oil degrades amine creating heat-stable salts. Wax deposits on cold surfaces. Inlet scrubbing prevents these problems maintaining treating performance.

Operating Conditions

Scrubber operates at contactor inlet pressure and temperature typically 35-65°C. Differential pressure monitoring indicates filter loading. High DP signals element replacement needed. Liquid drains remove accumulated condensate and oil routing to disposal.

Applications

Natural gas sweetening upstream of MEA contactors, refinery hydrogen purification, syngas treating, and any sour gas application using monoethanolamine. Particularly important when gas comes from wells with iron sulfide production or facilities with compressor lube oil carryover.

Maintenance Schedule

Element replacement frequency depends on gas cleanliness - monthly to annually. Visual inspection during turnarounds checks for corrosion or damage. Clean vessel internals removing accumulated deposits. Regular maintenance prevents contaminant breakthrough to amine system.

Performance Benefits

Extends amine solution life reducing makeup costs. Prevents foaming maintaining contactor capacity. Protects heat exchangers from fouling. Reduces corrosion from suspended solids. Simple filtration with proven contamination control.

Construction Standards

Design per ASME Section VIII with materials for sour service. Filter sizing matches gas flow and particle loading. Relief protection prevents overpressure. Complete documentation with filtration specifications.

ERGIL MEA inlet scrubbers protect amine treating systems through effective contaminant removal extending solution life and maintaining sweetening performance.