This document provides information on the Benfield process for removing carbon dioxide from gas streams. It discusses key aspects of the process including:
- Absorption of CO2 into a potassium carbonate solution and regeneration of the solution by heating.
- Use of an activator like DEA to improve CO2 absorption.
- Comparison with other CO2 removal processes like Rectisol and considerations for process selection.
- Parameters that affect the absorption and regeneration steps like pressure, temperature, and flow rates.
- Causes and prevention of corrosion in the system through vanadium addition and factors that can cause foaming of the solution.
AMMONIA PLANT CO2ABSORPTION
PROCESS
Prem Baboo
Sr. manager(Prod)
National Fertilizers Ltd, India
FIE ,Institution of Engineers( India)
Technical Advisor & an Expert for
www.ureaknowhow.com
2.
CO2ABSORBER®ENERATOR
CO2
TO UREA PLANT
.6Kg/Cm2
43.2KNM3
9.14
P-1307
P1301
(A,B&C)
E302
A&B
4
8
%
48%
IN
CO2-17.10%
Ar-.75%
N2-21.3%
CH4-0.4%
CO-0.11%
H2-60.84%
OUT
CO2-.11%
Ar—0.30%
N2—25.65%
CH4—0.5%
CO--.13%
H2—73.51%
13FIC
20
13-FIC-2 1
8.548.54
FLOW
1135M3
FLOW
345M3
104 M3
104M3
3.94M
PALL
RINGS
1.5”
..01M
TOTAL
517M32”PALLRINGS
L.P. STEAM
30 TON
13
FIC02
P.G.
3.
BENFIELD PROCESS FLOWDIAGRAM
13 FIC02
13HIC101
DM WATER FROM TANK
307 MT/Hr.
PROCESS GAS TO
METHENATOR
600
C
345M3
FAN COOLER
E 1303
ABSORBER
F 1302
28.45MT/Hr
1100
C
PROCESS
CONDENSATE
TX-1301
CICULATION
PUMP
BOOSTER
PUMP
REGENATOR
F-1301
B-1305
E-1302
A/B
B1306-
TO FGR
FLASH GAS
1590C
PROCESS
GAS
CONDENSATE
E1308
E1306
LP STEAM
B1301
1130
C1162M3/
Hr
B-1303
T0 DE-AERATOR
C.W.
4.
REMOVAL OF CO2:-
PROCESSFOR REMOVAL OF CO2 ARE BASED UPON
SCRUBBING OF GAS WITH SOME SOVENT (PHYSICAL
OR CHEMICAL)
THE SOLVENT SHOULD HAVE THE FOLLOWING
PROPERTIES:-
i. HIGH CO2 SOLUBILITY
ii. LOW VISCOSITY
iii. HIGH STABILITY UNDER OPERATING CONDITION
iv. NO REACTIVITY UNDER OPERATING CONDITION
v. VERY LOW VAPOUR PR UNDER OPERATING TEMP
5.
GENERAL CONSIDERATION INPROCESS SELECTION
1. PARTIAL PR OF CO2 IN FEED GAS AND TOTAL PR OF ABSORPTION
2. CO2 PURITY
3. GAS CONTAINING CO
4. AVAILABILITY OF UTILITY AND COST
TWO TYPE OF PROCESSESS
A. PHYSICAL
PROCESS SOLVENT
1. WATER SCRUBBING WATER
2. LINDE’S RECTISOL METHANOL
3. ALLIED SELEXOL POLYPROPYLENE GLYCOL DIMETHYL
EITHER
4. FLUOR’S PROCESS PROPYLENE CARBONATE
5. PURISOL N METHYL- 2 PYRROLIDINE
6. SULPHINOL TETRAHYDRO THIOPHENE 1, 1 DIOZIDE
6.
B. CHEMICAL ABSORPTION
BESTSUITED FOR LOW CO2 PARTIAL PRESSURE
1. MEA PROCESS:- MONO ETHANOL AMINE (REBOILER ENERGY IS
HIGH 2NH2(CH2)2 OH + CO2+H2O=[HO(CH2)2NH3]2CO3
DISADVANTAGE:-
(i)[HO(CH2)2NH3]2CO3+CO2+H2O= 2HO(CH2)2NH3HCO3
(ii) HO(CH2)2NH2+CO2= HO(CH2)2NHCOONH3(CH2)2OH
CARBOMATE IS CORROSSIVE IN HOTER PARTS OF MEA
• GV PROCESS
• CATACARB PROCESS
• BENFIELD PROCESS
C. PHYSIOCHEMICAL PROCESS
1. MDEA PROCESS( METHYLDIETHANOAMINE
7.
BENFIELD PROCESS
OVER 700BENFIELF PLANTS IN WORLD
ENERGY 660 – 1140 KILO CALORIE PER NORMALM3CO2
45% FOR REGENERATION 55% FOR ABSORPTION
K2CO3+CO2+H2O=2KHCO3+HEAT( MILD EXOTHERMIC)
CO2+H2O=HCO3-
+H+
CO3--
+H2O=HCO3-
+OH-
CO2+CO3--
H2O=2HCO3
1M3 30% K2CO3 SOLN ABSORBED 10M3 CO2 WITHOUT ANY ACTIVATOR
ACTIVATOR ACTION:- DEA (R2NH) R=CH2CH2OH
R2NH+CO2=R2NCOOH (INTERMIDIATE PRODUCT)
R2NCOOH+K2CO3+H2O= R2NH+2KHCO3
K2CO3+CO2+H2O=2KHCO3
8.
PROPERTIES OF DEA
MW= 105.14, SP GR = 1.0966, MELTING PT = 28O
C ,
BP = 10/100/760MMHG= 150/205/260
ANALYSIS OF LEAN SOLUTION / RICH SOLN
K2CO3 KHCO3 EQ K2CO3 F/C TV V+5 DEA FE
17.22 15.32 27.80 .38 10.4 .4 2.42 42.1
10.67 25.52 28.30 .67 .85 .67 2.8 ----
CALCULATION OF F/C
1 _ _%AGE K2CO3
%EQ K2CO3
% EQ K2CO3 = % K2CO3+(MW KHCO3)100 % KHCO3
MW K2CO3)138
17.22+(0.69)X15.32=27.8016
1- FC 1_ (17.22) = 0.38 IN LEAN SOLN
27.8016
F/C IN RICH / LEAN SOLN = 0.858/0.352 (DESIGN VALUE)
F/C = F/C RICH – F/C LEAN (ACTUAL) .
F/C RICH – F/C LEAN (DESIGN)
9.
COMPARISON BETWEEN PLANTS
RECTISOL
PHYSICAL
ABSORPTION
.LOWER ENERGY
.REMOVAL OF ALL
IMPURITIES SUCH AS
ORGANICS, H2S,
BENZENE, GUM
FOAMING AND
HYDROCARBON
.PRODUCTION OF
GAS WITH
NEGLIGIBLE WATER
GAS
SOLVENT METHANOL
. HIGH CO SLIP FROM
CO SHIFT SECTION
.FINAL REMOVAL OF
CO,CO2 BY N2 WASH
INI
BENFIELD
CHEMICAL
ABSORPTION
612KCAL/NM3 CO2
B-1306 YES
LP BOILER AFTER
REBOILER NO
REGN SINGLE
ACTIVATOR SINGLE
DEA
HYDROLLIC TURB
SINGLE( POWER
GENERATION)
AERATION OF SOLN
NO FAVOURABLE
CO2 BLOWER NO
GV
CHEMICAL
ABSORPTION
713.5KCAL/NM3 CO2
B-1306 NO
YES
DOUBLE
DUAL (DEA+GLYCINE)
DUAL PUMP DRIVEN
AVAILABLE
CO2 BLOWER
VENEZEULA
CHEMICAL
ABSORPTION
700KCAL/NM3 CO2
B 1306 YES
YES
YES
DOUBLE
DUAL
DEA+GLYCINE)
DUAL PUMP DRIVEN
AVAILABLE
CO2 BLOWER NO
10.
contd
CO2 BLOWER YES
DISADVANTAGE
NOPGR
NO OF PUMP AND
COLUMN MORE
INITIAL COST HIGH
CO2 EXCESS VENT NO CO2 EXCESS
PGR AMMONIA
PRODUCTION
NO CO2 EXCESS
UTILIZE
CO2 EXCESS VENT
PGR AVAILABLE
11.
CORROSION
CO2 ITSELF WEAKLYACIDIC
HOT POTASSIUM CARBONATE SOLN AGGRESSIVE FOR CORROSION
COMPOUND MAY FORM WITH THE SCRUBBING SOLN CORROSIVE TO STEEL
THEREFORE, A VANADIUM SALT V+5 IS USED IN THE SOLN AS A CORROSION INHIBITOR
THE VANADIUM OXIDISES THE IRON ON MET AL SURFACES
(VANADATION) BY ADDING V2O5
THE RESULTANT OXIDES FE3O4 MAGNETITE PRODUCE A TIGHT ADHERENT FILM ON THE
SURFACE WHICH RESULTS IN ESSENTIALLY NO CORROSION DURING OPERATION UNLESS
THE FILM IS DISTURBED V+5 +Fe2e
= V+4 +Fe3e
FERRIC Fe2O3 MOST STABLE FORM
V2O5 CONVERTS Fe2O3 TO Fe3O4
2FeO +V2O5 = Fe2O3 + V2O4
FeO + Fe2O3 = Fe3O4 (MAGNETITE)
MAINTAIN PENTAVALENT VANADIUM NOT LESS THAN 0.2 WT % INCREASE V+5 CONTENT
BY ADDITION FRESH V2O5 (VANADIUM PENTAOXIDE)
ADDITION OF KNO2 IS RECOMMENDED FOR OXIDATIION METHOD
KNO2 +V2O4 = V2O5 +KNO
12.
CORROSION AND PROBLEMSIN PLANTS
• 1 – 1986 AND 1992 IN RCF ( HALDOR TOPSOE PLANT)
• 2 – 1986 : PRECIPITATED BICARBONATE PEELS-OFF THE PASSIVATIION LAYER IRON
• AND VANADIUM IN THE SOLN CO-PRECIPITATE WITH THE BICARBONATE FORMING
• A SLURRY PLANT WAS SHUT DOWN 30 DAYS CIRCULATION PUMPS REPAIRED
• NOV 1994 – HYDRO AGRI TRINIDAD’S TRINGEN II – 33 DAYS SHUT DOWN
• PROTECTIVE MAGNETITE LAYER IN THE ABSORBER BOTTOM AND DISTRIBUTER
BECOME DAMAGED FORMATION OF IRON CARBONATE CORROSION RATE INCREASED
COMPLETE DEPLETION OF VANADIUM
• 1992 – KRIBHCO HAZIRA – KELLOG’S DESIGN
• FOLLOWING A NUMBER OF CRASH SHUT DOWN DUE TO NG AND MAINTENANCE JOB
• THE CO2 PRODUCT PURITY OF BOTH UNITS CAME UP TO 97.96% DUE TO FAILURE OF
FLOATING HEAD GASKET IN THE FLOATING HEAD TYPE EXCHANGER (REBOILERS)
• SUSPECTABLE FAILURE AND THIS ALLOWED LEAKING PROCESS GAS TO ATTACK AND
DESTROY THE PASSIVATION LAYER OF CS WALL OF REGENATOR
• 2001 – VENEZUELA JOSE FERTILISERS . AFTER REDUCTION OF LT CO SHIFT CONV
CATALYST – CATALYST DUST BEFORE LINE UP TO GV DID NOT BLOW / REMOVE
PROPERLY Fe CONTENT IN GV SOLN -~ 5000 PPM VISCOSITY OF SOLN INCREASED
FREQUENT CHOCKING OF STRAINERS AND DRAIN LINES OCCURS WHOLE SOLN
FILTERS THROUGH Fe CONTENT CAME DOWN AND VISCOSITY NORMALISED
13.
BENFIELD SYSTEM: STARTUP
CHECK LIST :-
1. TRIP SYSTEM: IS-4, IS-5, IS-301A, B, C, IS 303, IS 304 ARE IN
RESET CONDITION
2. STROKE CHECKING OF ALL CONTROL VALVES
3. CHECK
a. 13 HV- 10 ------------CLOSE
b. 13 HIC 101-------------CLOSE
c. 13 FCV 02 -------------BY PASS & CV F/C
d. ISOLATION VALVES OF 13 FIC -01, LIC -01, 13LIC-20- I/2, 13PV 28 13 LCV- - 26-1/2
CLOSE
e. DM WATER CIRCULATIION – NORMAL
f. CW TO E -1308 A/B – OPEN
g. F 1302 PR NORMAL WITH NG > 15KG/CM2
h. N2 TO F 1301 OPEN
j. PUMPS – P-1307/ P- 1301 PROPERLY LINED UP
k. PUMPS ELECTRICALLY ENERGISED
l. PUMPS L.O. CIRCULATION & SEALING WATER SYSTEM NORM
14.
Contd.
m. LEVEL INB 1305 LESS THAN 100%
n. O2 CONTENT IN THE SYSTEM LESS THAN 100PPM
4. START CIRCULATION KEEP E 1303 FANS IN STOPPED CONDITION
5. KEEP 13HV 10 CLOSE AND START INDIRECT HEATING
BY SM STEAM PR LESS THAN 5 KG/ CM2
, TEMP LESS THAN 1800
C
F 1301 PR 2 KG/CM2
(N2) OBTAIN BENFIELD SOLN TEMP 105O
C
PASSIVATION
A. STATIC – E 1302 A/B FLOODED CONDITION TEMP=130O
C
DURATION 48 HRS
B. DYNAMIC – CIRCULATION RATE 80% DURATION 36 HRS
MAINTAIN V+5 EQUAL 0.5%
K2CO3 KHCO3 EQ K2CO3 F/C V+5 DEA FE
20.96 6.37 25.33 0.172 0.47 2.18 66.74PPM
LOCAL DRAINING B 1303 ON R1205 BY PASS MOV45 FULL CLOSED
15.
FOR INDIRECT HEATINGSTOPPED CONDITION
NG FLOW TO PRIMARY REF 6000NM3, STEAM FLOW 30 TE/HR
RECYLE GAS FLOW ( 12FIC 02 +12 FIC 17) EQUAL 4000NM3
( 800 +2200)
12TJR 1/12, 06 =5000
C / 7500
C
13 PI C11= 0.6KG/CM2
B 1305 STEAM EJECTORS , X 1301 A/B/C/D I/VS OF VAPOURS AND
SL STEAM I/V MOTIVE STEAM TO BE OPENED FOR LINING UP SEQ
1. X 1301D
2. X 1301C
3. X 1301B
4. X 1301A FROM CCR 13 HIC O4, O5, O6, O7, INITIALLY TO BE
CLOSED AND TO BE OPENED AFTERWARDS.
13 FIC O2 I/VS TO BE OPENED
16.
contd
13 HIC 101TO BE OPENED
LINE UP 13 TIC O9
STOP NG TO F 1302 AND N2 TO F 1301 BLIND TO BE
PROVIDED
STOP LOCAL DRAINING OF 1303 AND LINE UP TO PC
HEADER
17.
BENFIELD THEORY
a. FAVOURABLEPARAMETERS FOR ABSORPTION
1. HIGH PRESSURE ( LIMITATION REF PRESSURE)
2. BETTER ACTIVATOR ( DEA, IN LINE II GLYCINE ALSO)
3. LOWEST F/C
4. BETTER FILTERATION ( 10 MICRONS OR LESS)
5. OPTIMUM SPLIT STREAM TEMP
6. IMPROVED PACKED BEDS AND INTERNALS
b. FAVOURABLE PARAMETERS FOR REGENERATION
1. LOW PRESSURE
2. PROPER DISTRIBUTION OF RICH SOLN
3. IMPROVED PACKED BED AND INTERNALS
4. REGN STEAM FLOW/ PR / TEMP OPTIMUM
18.
FOAMING
CAUSES: IMPURITIES
i. SODIUM:-<1.0 % Na LIMITED NaHCO3 SOLUBILITY
ii. CHLORIDE:- AS CL- >100PPM
iii. INERTS SALTS:- FORMATE, THIOSULPHATE ETC. CAN JOLERATE UPTO
MINIMUM INNNERTS IN SOLUTION DEENSITY AND ABSORPTION
AFFECTED.
iv. HEAVY METALS:- POTENTIAL FOR LOSS OF PASSIVATION.
v. SOLUBLE Fe CONTEST:- CONTENT UPTO 150PPM (NORMAL) MAX
SOLUBLE 200 – 250 PPM – CORROSION OCCURING.
vi. SOLIDS IN SOLUTION:- ABRASIVE, LOSS CORROSION PROTECTION,
FOAMING OF SOLUTION.
vii. SOLUBLE INORGANIC CONTAMINATES:-
- TOTAL SALTS HIGH
- PROCESS TEMP INCREASES
- LOSS OF ABSORPTION EFFICIENCY
viii. SOLUBLE ORGANIC CONTAMINATES:-
- FREQUENT CAUSE OF FOAMING OF SOLUTION
- SOME LOSS OF ABSORPTION EFFICIENCY
ix. GREASE AND OIL..
x. INTERNALS DISTURBES
19.
FOAMING
CAUSES
i. DUST OFACTIVATED CARBON
ii. SUSPENDED METALLIC COMPOUNDS, WHICH MAY DISTURB
SURFACE TENTION
iii. DECOMPOSITION PRODUCTS
iv. ORGANIC SUBSTANCES, GREASE, LUBEOIL, PAINT BITUMIN
EPOXY RASINS.
v. SULPHIDES
FOAMING IS INDICATED BY :-
1. HIGH PDI OF ABSORBER, REGENERATOR
2. SOLUTION CARRY OVER
3. SOLUTION HOLD UP IN PACKINGS
4. LEVEL INSTABILITY
5. INCREASE IN CO2 SLIP
20.
FOAMING CONTROL
1. SIDESTREAM FILTRATION – A) MECH FILTER~ 10 MICRONS
FLOW – 5% TO 10% OF CIRCULATION RATE.
(CONTINUOUS REMOVAL OF SOLIDS )
B) ACTIVATED CARBON FILTER:- TO REMOVE
i. ORGANIC MATTER AND CONTEMINANTS
ii. DECOMPOSED COMPOUNDS
iii. IF COLOUR OF SOLN IS DARK, IMPROVE TRANSPARENCY
2. LIMITED USE ( 20ML) OF ANTIFOAM AGENT (UCON 50 HB 5100,
POLYGLYCOLS , SILICONES.
3. DEMISTERS OF ABSORBER AND REGENERATOR FLUSHING BY
BFW
21.
FOAMING TEST
50 MLFILTERED BENFIELD SOLUTION AT 90OC
SHAKEN VIGOROUSLY OR N2 IS BUBBLED FOR ONE MINUTE
HIGHT OF FOAM > 40 MM
COLLASPE TIME > 10SEC
CAUSE OF INCREASE IN CO2 SLIP
1. INCORRECT SOLUTION FLOW RATE.
2. HIGH Fe OF HPC SOLUTION.
3. INCORRECT LEAN/ TOP SOLUTION TEMP.
4. INCORRECT SOLN COMPOSITION
5. FOAMING
6. INCORRECT SOLN / GAS – DISTRIBUTION IIN BEDS
7. DDISTURBANCE IN PACKING ARRANGEMENTS
8. DAMAGE / DISLOCATE INTERALS OF ABSORBER/ REGENERATOR
22.
CAUSES OF BADREGENERATION
1. LOW REGENERATION STEAM FLOW / TEMP / PR
2. HIGH SOLUTION FLOW RATE
3. ABSORBER GAS INLET TEMP LOW
4. REGENERATOR PR HIGH
5. INCORRECT STEAM / SOLUTION TEMP
PROCESS FOR REMOVAL OF CO2 ARE BASED UPON SCRUBBING OF
GAS WITH SOME SOVENT (PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL)
THE SOLVENT SHOULD HAVE THE FOLLOWING PROPERTIES:-
i. HIGH CO2 SOLUBILITY
ii. LOW VISCOSITY
iii. HIGH STABILITY UNDER OPERATING CONDITION
iv. NO REACTIVITY UNDER OPERATING CONDITION
v. VERY LOW VAPOUR PR UNDER OPERATING TEMP
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