Hydrocarbon Processing - August 2022 - 72

Plant Design, Engineering, Construction and Commissioning
During this cleaning, a sudden increase
in deferential pressure was noticed in all
pump strainers due to dirt accumulation,
as shown in FIG. 4.
Lab analysis of water chemistry parameters
(TABLE 1) from amine System
A showed them becoming stable for at
least four consecutive days through lab
TABLE 2. Lab analysis for water samples, amine System B
Analysis
Conductivity
TDS
TSS
Total iron
12/11/19
718
359
5
0.41
Amine System B
12/12/19
708
354
9
0.47
TABLE 3. Lab analysis for water samples, amine System C
Analysis
Conductivity
TDS
TSS
Total iron
12/11/19
66
33
17
3.14
Amine System C
12/12/19
74
37
2
1.5
sampling, indicating that amine System
A became cleaner.
12/14/19
708
354
5
0.45
Unit
micros/cm
ppm
ppm
ppm
12/14/19
80
40
2
1.42
Unit
micros/cm
ppm
ppm
ppm
Amine System B. The system was
placed under soft startup on December
4, 2019, and in cold circulation until December
13, 2019. During the cold circulation
phase, two of the lean amine cooler
bays (50%) were isolated and amine was
run through the other two bays to increase
turbulence and ensure cleanliness.
After the system was stabilized and the
in-service bays were deemed clean, the
bays were isolated and the other two bays
were put in service. The switching practice
continued until consistent readings
on the pump strainers were achieved.
Following that process, amine System B
was placed in hot circulation (FIG. 5).
Fin fan tubes were cleaned by limiting
the flow to two bays at a time, which allowed
turbulence flow across the fin fan
tubes. During this process-as with System
A-a sudden increase in deferential
pressure was noticed in all pump strainers
due to dirt accumulation.
Lab analysis of water chemistry parameters
from amine System B (TABLE 2)
showed them becoming stable for at least
four consecutive days through lab sampling,
indicating that amine System B
became cleaner.
FIG. 5. Cleaning frequency for amine System B.
Amine System C. The system was
placed under soft startup on December
10, 2019, and in cold circulation until
December 13, 2019. The system was
then placed in hot circulation. During the
water circulation phase, the amine System
C circulation pump strainers were
cleaned frequently. The cleaning practice
continued until the system become clean.
Lab analysis of water chemistry parameters
from amine System C (TABLE 3)
showed them becoming stable for at least
four consecutive days through lab sampling,
indicating that amine System C
became cleaner.
FIG. 6. Frequent strainer cleaning for amine System C.
72 AUGUST 2022 | HydrocarbonProcessing.com
Takeaway. Based on results from experimental
runs on three units, the soft startup
concept has proven advantageous,
helping avoid common commissioning
challenges of a new amine system (e.g.,
gas treatment facility)-including foaming,
the presence of unwanted debris or
materials in piping and vessels, etc.-and
ensuring the short- and long-term reliability
of an amine system facility.
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Hydrocarbon Processing - August 2022

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