Identification of Transition from Non-Foaming to Foaming Regime in Amine Solutions Contactors

Foaming is an undesirable phenomenon which is occurring on the trays in absorption and striping column of gas conditioning plants. Prediction of foaming which may occur or not in a system is difficult and the effect of various operation and geometrical parameters on foaming is not well known yet. For this purpose, the foamability of MEA and DEA solutions has been studied in two bubble columns with different diameters, gas sparger and variable liquid height. On the basis of the experimental data, the model of shah et al.[1], was used to construct the transition from nonfoaming to foaming regimes. The data for gas holdup at various Amine-water compositions are explained on the basis of the dynamic surface tension model of Andrew[2]. Additionally, the experiments show that there is a specific aqueous MEA concentration which solution reaches to its maximum foamability.

Keywords:

Foam , Gas holdup , Amine , Bubble column , Transition