Washing of the Amine Absorber OnLine

[Falcon03]

Dear Friends,

In our refinery we do have three big Amine Absorbers. Two of them have the ability to bypass them and do an online hot water wash and chemical wash, this is incase if we notice any increase in DP across the Absorber and or Amine carry over to K.O. drum.

The other one has NO bypass and we are currently are facing a problem in this absorber ( high DP and amine carry over to the fuel gas system), I believe this is the time for cleaning but NO bypass is exist??!!!

I'm not sure if other site or any one has an experience on doing an online wash to such absorber? If so .. how? We are thinking to stop the Amine and inject high pressure water into the tower and keep the gas running..!!!

Your help in this matter is highly appreciated.

 

[sur63]

falcon03,

you need to provide more information.When you say you have 3 absorbers, are they in series or what? you also need to let us know your specs to enable better understanding.Can you isolate 3rd absorber, without affecting your process? sorry, if the questions are naive, but, nonetheless..

 

[Falcon03]

Sure63,

Sorry may be I wasn't clear. Forget the story about the Three Amine Absorbers.

My question is Can we clean the Amine absorber on line?

 

[curiousperson]

Yes on line water wash of amine absorbers is done. I have been in a refinery where on line water wash was done on the amine absorber . the gas production has to be cut down drastically & then water can be injected . but the reduction in DP effect is temporary may be for a month or so because this is not a thorough wash & also since the wash is for a very limited amount of time.