Reducing and Removing Foulant From Regenerated Amine Mixtures

摘要

The invention generally relates to processes for reducing and removing foulant and foulant precursors from regenerated amine mixtures and to equipment useful in such processes. Such amine mixtures are useful for removing one or more acidic gases such as CO2 or H2S from olefin hydrocarbon streams. A first feed comprising regenerated amine, foulant, and foulant precursors is provided. A second feed comprising aromatic hydrocarbons is provided. The first and second feeds are combined and then separated to form first and second products. The first product is an upgraded regenerated amine mixture that comprises the first feed's amine. The second product comprises second feed's aromatic hydrocarbons and a portion of the first feed's foulant.

主权项

1. A regenerated amine upgrading process to reduce foulant and foulant precursor concentration in the regenerated amine and/or reverse fouling in equipment contacted by the regenerated amine, comprising:
(a) providing a first feed comprising regenerated amine, foulant, and foulant precursors; (b) providing a second feed comprising aromatic hydrocarbons; (c) combining the first and second feeds; and (d) separating first and second products from the combined first and second feeds, wherein (i) the first product is an upgraded regenerated amine mixture that comprises ≧60.0 wt. % of the first feed's amine, residual amounts of the second feed's aromatic hydrocarbons, and residual amounts of the first feed's foulant and foulant precursors, and (ii) the second product comprises ≧40.0 wt. % of the second feed's aromatic hydrocarbons, at least a portion of the first feed's foulant and foulant precursors, and a residual portion of the first feed's amine.