In this thesis, a new technique based on the foam fractionation concept is developed for the identification of foam creators in gas sweetening solvents. Initially, the effect of operating conditions, i.e. air flow rate, liquid height (volume) and initial foam creators concentration on the performance of the continuous foam fractionation process was investigated. Commonly used corrosion inhibitor in gas sweetening units, Bis (2-Hydroxyethyl) Cocoalkylamine, was used as a possible foam creator for optimization purposes. Separation efficiency parameters i.e. recovery percentage (R %) and enrichment factor (E) were correlated based on surface tension of the collected samples. The best operating parameters that gave the highest achieved separation efficiency (38% recovery) were found to be 0.01 ppm initial concentration of Bis (2-Hydroxyethyl) Cocoalkylamine, 3.0 L/min air flow rate (a superficial gas velocity of 0.022 m3/m2.s) and a 150 ml initial liquid volume. The foaming technique was used to identify the foam creators existing in real lean amine solutions obtained from GASCO. The foam creators were concentrated through foaming for identification and removal purposes. Liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC ToF MS) and direct sample analysis time of flight (AxION® 2 TOF) were used to identify and quantify the foam creators in foamate and remaining solution. In addition, a model was developed to predict the profile of the surface tension and the foam height in the foam fractionation column. The model was validated and then used to investigate the effect bubble radius and superficial gas velocity on predicted foam height and surface tension.
Date of Award | 2016 |
---|
Original language | American English |
---|
Supervisor | Fawzi Banat (Supervisor) |
---|
- Applied sciences
- Amine
- Creators
- Foam
- Fractionation
- Industrial
- Lean
- Segregation
- Chemical engineering
- 0542:Chemical engineering
Foam Fractionation For The Segregation And Identification Of Foam Creators From Industrial Lean Amine Solutions
Keewan, M. (Author). 2016
Student thesis: Master's Thesis