required

for Sulfinol D when removing CO2.

Selefining Process
This process developed by Snamprogetti uses tertiary
amines such as dimethyl ethanol amine (DMEA) dissolved in
an organic solvent with limited amounts of water. The process
is very selective to H2S as CO2 hydration is almost completely
avoided. It also removes other sulfur species such as mercaptans,
COS and CS2. It has a tendency to co-absorb hydrocarbons
which can to some extent be controlled by increasing the
water content of the solvent.
ALKALINE SALT PROCESS (HOT
CARBONATE)
The basic process was developed by the U.S. Bureau of Mines
and employs an aqueous solution of potassium carbonate
(K2CO3). The contactor and stripper both operate at temperatures
in the range of 230-240F. The process is not suitable for
gas streams containing only H2S.9 If H2S is to be removed to
pipeline specification or there are low CO2 outlet specifications,
special designs or a two-stage system may have to be
used. Potassium carbonate processes are somewhat effective
in removing carbonyl sulfide and carbon disulfide.
The overall reactions for CO2 and H2S with potassium carbonate
can be represented by:
K2CO3 + CO2 + H2O ? 2 KHCO3 Eq 21-18
K2CO3 + H2S ? KHS + KHCO3 Eq 21-19
There are three basic process flow variations for the potassium
carbonate process. The flow scheme required depends on
the outlet specification of the natural gas. These are:
Single Stage Process
The single stage process is shown in Fig. 21-16. Potassium
carbonate is pumped to the top of a packed or trayed contactor
where it contacts the gas stream. The rich solution flows to the
stripper where the acid gases are stripped with steam. The
FIG. 21-15
Typical Gas Sweetening by Physical Absorption
FIG. 21-16
Alkaline Salt: Single-Stage Process
21-18
lean solution is then pumped back to the contactor to complete
the cycle.
Split Flow Process
In this process scheme (Fig. 21-17) the lean solution
stream is split. Hot solution is fed to the middle of the contactor
for bulk removal. The remainder is cooled to improve
equilibrium and is fed to the top of the contactor for trim
acid gas removal.
Two Stage Process
In this process scheme (Fig. 21-18) the contactor is like that
of the split flow process. In addition, the stripper is in two
sections. A major portion of the solution is removed at the midpoint
of the stripper and pumped to the lower section of the
contactor. 
 

 
 


 


Numerous improvements have been made to the potassium
carbonate process resulting in significant reduction in capital
and operating costs. At the same time, lower acid gas concentration
in the treated gas can now be achieved. The most popular
of the carbonate processes are:
Benfield Process
The Benfield Process is licensed by UOP. Several activators
are used to enhance the performance of the potassium carbonate
solution.
Hi-Pure Process
The Hi-Pure process is a combination conventional Benfield
potassium carbonate process and alkanolamine process. The
gas stream is first contacted with potassium carbonate followed
by contacting with an amine. The process can achieve
outlet CO2 concentrations as low as 30 ppmv and H2S concentrations
of 1 ppmv.37
Catacarb Process
The Catacarb Process is licensed by Eickmeyer and Associates.
Activators, corrosion inhibitors, potassium salts, and
water are contained in the solution. This process is mostly
used in the ammonia industry.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR
SOLVENT PROCESS
Solution Filtration
Filtration of the treating solution to remove entrained solids
is essential to the successful operation of a gas treating plant.
Filtration rates should be as high as practical and may range
from 5 per cent of circulation to full stream. Removing particles
down to 5 microns in size is recommended. In order to do
this efficiently, two stages of filtration may be required. The
first stage, typically a cartridge-type or precoat filter, is designed
to remove