What Does
Amine Gas Treating Mean?
Amine gas treating—also called amine scrubbing, acid gas removal, and sour gas sweetening—refers to the use of amines to remove hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon dioxide (CO2) from gas.
Safeopedia Explains Amine Gas Treating
Amines are a category of chemical compound that are derived from ammonia. Treatment with amine gas is important for industries that must remove acid contaminants from a product before necessary refining can take place or the product can be used in commercial industrial applications. Amine gas treatment plants are subject to corrosion and involve chemicals that may pose exposure hazards if the integrity of the facility is reduced. As such, the use of hazard controls is recommended to ensure the process is engaged with safely.
Amine gas treatment is an important process within the petrochemical and natural gas industries, as well as in other industrial applications. Specific chemical refining processes cannot function without the removal of acid contaminants. Further, the removal of sulfur from gas products such as syngas may be required for the gas to meet environmental health and safety emissions standards.
Ordinarily, amine gas treatment should not pose a significant occupational hazard, as it is a closed process. Proper operating procedures to prevent or remediate corrosion preserve the integrity and therefore the safety of this closed system. However, personal protective equipment and administrative controls may be necessary during activities such as sampling, inspection, and maintenance procedures. Furthermore, hazard controls may also be necessary due to the noise and heat that can be generated by amine treatment facilities, and fire safety equipment should be available if there is a possibility that an accidental chemical spill could reach a source of ignition.