At ElectroSep, we are proud to be industry leaders in developing innovative technologies that contribute to a cleaner environment. Our amine and glycol reclamation technologies enable end-users to efficiently recycle and re-use their chemicals, significantly reducing the amount of waste generated and improving unit performance. By reducing chemical consumption, our processes also significantly reduce carbon emissions.

Our sulfur dioxide process allows for the capture, reuse, and conversion of sulfur, eliminating the need for generating a waste stream that must be disposed of. This not only reduces waste generation but also minimizes the environmental impact of traditional waste disposal methods.

We are committed to developing industry-leading processes that not only maximize operating efficiency but also reduce energy use, carbon emissions, and waste generation. Our focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility helps improve the environmental performance of our clients and contributes to a better world for all.

At ElectroSep, we believe that innovative technology and environmental responsibility go hand in hand. We are dedicated to developing solutions that not only meet the needs of our clients but also promote a cleaner, healthier planet for future generations.

Heat Stable Amine Salts (HSAS) are formed when strong acids in gas streams being treated are absorbed by the amine solutions. The anions of the acids react with the amine to form the HSAS. Typical strong anions are formate, acetate, oxalate, glycolate, chloride, sulphate, thiosulphate, and thiocyanate etc.

HSAS problems are particularly serious in the petroleum refining and coal gasification industries. Substantial levels of HSAS's, especially formate and thiocyanate, are often seen in the solutions used to treat the gas and liquid streams originating from the various catalytic and thermal processes prevalent in these industries.

However, in the natural gas industry the acetic and hydrochloric acids used in various well treatment activities, such as acid fracturing, can also lead to the formation of HSAS's if they are introduced into the amine unit. Similarly, entrainment of formation water can add chloride and sulfate, although in this case they will most probably enter as an inorganic salt and will not result in amine neutralization. Another significant source of acids and salts can be makeup water that has been treated by a water softener or conditioner, especially if not well maintained. Although anions entering as a salt rather than an acid do not lead to the formation of HSAS's and the deactivation of the amine, they can lead to many of the same problems associated with HSAS's, namely increased potential for corrosion fouling, and generally poor performance.

Excessive levels of HSAS can lead to operating problems such as:

• Corrosion

• Foaming

• Loss of scrubbing capacity

• Excessive filtration requirements

• Excessive amine losses

• Amine system control and operability issues

ElectroSep offers two different reclamation processes: Two-Loop (TL2®) and Three-Loop (TL3®).

The ElectroSep™ TL2® process removes both cations and anions from amine solutions. It is ideally suited for sites practicing amine neutralization or sites with ingressive levels of both cations and anions.

The ElectroSep™ TL3® removes only anions and is often utilized in permanent units at sites that do not practice neutralization. The TL3® process has the advantage of having negligible amine losses.

HSAS problems are particularly serious in the petroleum refining and coal gasification industries. Substantial levels of HSAS's, especially formate and thiocyanate, are often seen in the solutions used to treat the gas and liquid streams originating from the various catalytic and thermal processes prevalent in these industries. However, in the natural gas industry the acetic and hydrochloric acids used in various well treatment activities, such as acid fracturing, can also lead to the formation of HSAS's if they are introduced into the amine unit. Similarly, entrainment of formation water can add chloride and sulfate, although in this case they will most probably enter as an inorganic salt and will not result in amine neutralization. Another significant source of acids and salts can be make-up water that has been treated by a water softener or conditioner, particularly if not well maintained. Although anions entering, as a salt rather than the acid do not lead to the formation of HSAS's and the deactivation of the amine, they can lead to many of the same problems associated with HSAS's, namely increased potential for corrosion fouling, and generally poor performance.

Mobile Reclamation

Advantages of Using Our Mobile Unit

Dimensions

The mobile (non -fixed) unit is entirely contained in one trailer. The trailer is 50 ft long by 8 ft wide and 13 ft high. No other trailers, skids or storage tanks are normally required.

Tie-ins and Utility requirements

Tie-in and utility requirements are minimal. 

Amine Dilution

The amine is not diluted in the ElectroSep’s™ process. The only difference between the feed amine stream to the unit and that being returned to the amine unit is the reduction in the heat stable salt content.

Amine Unit Operation

During treatment the presence of the mobile unit does not impact the operation of the amine unit being treated. No adjustments to the operation of the amine unit are required. The physical presence of the mobile unit (one 50 ft trailer) is the only observable change. The ElectroSep™ process is continuous; there are no amine system level fluctuations, which can occur with a batch process. There is no need to store the amine for treatment. The process commonly treats a slipstream taken directly from the operating amine unit. It is also possible to treat stored amine.

Chemical requirements

Neutralization requirements are almost stoichiometric. No excess base is required. The generated waste stream pH is neutral. No acid is required for pH adjustment of the waste stream. The mobile unit is equipped with a caustic injection pump.

Waste Stream

Our process utilizes electrodialysis (essentially an electric field) to transfer salts from the amine being treated into a fresh-water stream, thereby producing a salt-water stream that is sent to waste. The pH of this stream is normally between 9 and 10. There is no need for a pH adjustment. This stream will contain a small quantity of amine. The quantity of base utilized for neutralization is almost stoichiometric and because there is no need to wash the membranes, the volume of waste is minimized. Normally the waste stream can be sent directly without further treatment to the facilities wastewater treatment unit. The waste stream is considered non-hazardous.

Safety

Our process is inherently safe. In an emergency the unit can be shut down immediately by pushing the emergency stop button. All operators have taken extensive safety training. ElectroSep™ provides a very safe and efficient

Permanent Reclamation

Permanent (fixed) units using the ElectroSep™ process are custom designed to the client’s specific requirements.

The principal advantage of the ElectroSep™ process is that it is a continuous process that requires only stoichiometric amounts of base to neutralize the amine being treated. Waste volumes are minimized, feed amine is not diluted, and amine losses are negligible.

The ElectroSep™ process is especially suited to sites that generate large quantities of heat stable salts. In particular, amine-based carbon capture facilities, amine-based sulfur dioxide units, large oil refineries, oil sand upgraders, gasifiers, etc.

Some of the advantages of the ElectroSep amine reclamation process are:

The amine is not diluted in our process. The only difference between the feed amine stream to the unit and that being returned to the amine unit is the reduction in the heat stable salt content.

Amine Unit Operation during treatment

The presence of the ElectroSep unit does not impact the operation of the amine unit being treated. No adjustments to the operation of the amine unit are required. The ElectroSep™ process is continuous; there are no amine system level fluctuations, which can occur with a batch process. There is no need to store the amine for treatment. The process commonly treats a slipstream taken directly from the operating amine unit. It is also possible to treat stored amine.

Chemical requirements

Neutralization requirements are almost stoichiometric. No excess base is required. The generated waste stream pH is neutral. No acid is required for pH adjustment of the waste stream.

Waste Stream

This process utilizes electrodialysis (essentially an electric field) to transfer salts from the amine being treated into a freshwater stream, thereby producing a salt-water stream that is sent to waste. The pH of this stream is normally between 9 and 11. There is no need for a pH adjustment or any other post treatment. This stream will contain a minimal quantity of amine. The ElectroSep process is the most efficient reclamation process in terms of amine losses, chemical consumption, and waste generation. The quantity of base utilized for neutralization is almost stoichiometric and because there is no need to wash the membranes, the volume of waste is minimized. Normally the waste stream can be sent directly without further treatment to the facilities wastewater treatment unit. The waste stream is considered non-hazardous.

Safety

The process is inherently safe. In an emergency the unit can be shut down immediately by pushing the emergency stop button. All operators have taken extensive safety training. ElectroSep™ provides a very safe and efficient amine reclamation solution.

Footprint

Minimal

Process Control

As the process is continuous, the process control can easily be integrated with that of the amine unit.

Reliability and Unit Lifetime

All ElectroSep units are built to the highest standards and for a 20-year (+) lifetime.  Units are built from stainless steel and can be built to meet refinery explosion proof standards.  Units are highly reliable and are built to operate 24/7 for months at a time between maintenance.

Technical Support and Maintenance.

ElectroSep provides high quality technical support to all of its clients and performs the maintenance of the critical components of its units.