LPG amine contractor bypass

[Jone k]

In our unit Hydrocraker no bypass on LPG amine contractor.LPG inlet temperature is 44 degree Celsius and pressure is 25 bar enter at the bottom of the column and at the top lean amine enter to the column at temperature 25 degree Celsius and pressure is 34 bar. The inlet temperature for LPG and amine are same.why there is no bypass in the column and no DT across amine and sour ?
If there is any chance of foaming how we can control?

 

[georgeverghese]

At this press of 25bar and 44degC, the LPG must be in liquid phase, so this foaming is not due to hydrocarbon condensate formation in the contactor. It may be due to excess corrosion inhibitor injection in the LPG stream or in the amine stream? What is the contacting method between LPG and amine in this column - packing? If the packing is fouled, localised channeling and high velocity can lead to foaming also - what is the dp across the column when the column is running at full capacity?.

 

[Jone k]

Hi dear
Still the unit under construction.I observed in this column no bypass but others absorber there is bypass.it has contacting method packing type.
Thanks dear

 

[georgeverghese]

That may be a valid question to ask the OpCo and design firm. It may be because the downstream reactor simply cannot handle the untreated feed without mercaptan removal. dT between amine and sour LPG feed is not applicable here since feed LPG is in liquid phase.