Laboratory evaluation of operating conditions for chloride removal from diethanolamine using ion exchange resin and introduction of optimal parameters

Abstract

AbstractIn this study, a strong anionic resin was used to remove the chloride ion in the diethanolamine of sweetening unit of gas refinery. A laboratory pilot has been investigated as a resin-filled bed to evaluate the reaction temperature, chloride ion concentration, resin saturation, resin recovery rate, optimal reaction temperature, diethanolamine flow rate, hydrogen strength and resin performance in this work. The resin saturation time, capacity of resin, optimal reaction temperature and changes in chloride concentration of the output stream from resin were determined in this research. Finally, the optimal amount of water to regulate the pH of the resin and the optimal amount of 4% sodium hydroxide solution to recycle the resin were calculated. It was found that one liter of resin is able to absorb 20.77 g of chloride. The temperature of 50 °C was considered as the optimal temperature of ion exchange reaction by comparing the amount of caustic and water consumption for resin recovery and regulation of neutral acidity, respectively. In this study, the amount of 4 wt.% caustic and water at a temperature of 50 °C for recovery of 134 g of resin obtained was equal to 8.5 and 5 L, respectively.