2.8.

4 Antifoam injection
Antifoam injection facilities are applied at the regenerator reflux line and either at the inlet of
the lean solvent circulation pumps or at the lean solvent inlet of individual absorbers. Dosing
can be on a shot basis or by continuous injection. Antifoam injection rates are low so normally
a small reciprocating dosing pump is applied or a shot dosing vessel. Injection facilities are
normally as close to the injection point as possible and line sizes are minimised so as to
minimise line inventory.

Anti foam injection

If experiencing continuing foaming, a limited shot of anti-foam can be injected in the system (1
to 5 ppm weight on inventory of undiluted AFA (= Active Ingredients) during a 5 minutes
period. Number of shots of AFA should be limited to 1 per shift as maximum. See section 3.1.5
for details on use of anti-foam agents. Alternatively preventative anti foam dosing can be
employed (see section 3.1.5).

Excessive use of anti-foam

Excessive use of anti-foam can in fact lead to foaming in itself. Many anti-foam formulations
include an emulsifier to allow the rapid distribution of the active agent through the amine
system. Continued use of anti-foam can build up the background level of emulsifier and hence
create foaming in itself. (see section 3.1.5.)

3.1.5 Anti-Foam Agents (AFA’s)

A variety of antifoam agents are available for use in amine systems. Antifoams are used in two
manners. Most common is use in a responsive manner, that is, injection in response to a
foaming incident. However antifoam agents are also available to inject on a preventative basis.
Generally it is preferred to use antifoam on a responsive basis as normally foaming should not
be an ongoing problem and this approach minimises cost and the amount of chemicals being
added to the ADIP solvent. However in some applications chronic foaming is experienced and
preventative antifoam addition is more effective. Ongoing AFA injection should only be used
as last resort after efforts to control foaming by clean up of solvent (filtration, activated carbon)
and elimination of hydrocarbon ingress have failed.
It is difficult to predict which antifoam is most appropriate for each amine system and
frequently the best antifoam is only identified by trial and error.

Response based antifoams

When used on a response basis, the correct AFA quantity per shot is 1-5 ppm wt. of active
component on solvent inventory. A good estimate for the inventory is 50% of the hourly
circulation rate, e.g. at 100 t/h the inventory is roughly 50t and the correct dose is 50-250 g. of
active component. To get sensible quantities for injection, the AFA can be diluted. The
manufacturer should be consulted on the most suitable diluent but never use polyvinyl alcohol.
The maximum number of AFA shots is 3 per 24 hours. The active carbon filter (if fitted) should
be taken off line while antifoam agent is being applied as the carbon will otherwise remove the
antifoam before it can be effective.
Anti-foam agent when used correctly can be a very effective tool against foaming in ADIP
systems. However there can be a tendency to inject excessive amounts of anti-foam or even
inject it continuously.
There are two problems with injecting too much AFA:
too high AFA concentrations in the solvent can promote foaming.
the AFA can contribute to the fouling of regenerator trays, reboilers and heat exchangers
as it has the potential to “grab” or “trap” FeS particles, if present.

Recommended Anti-Foam Agents

Three types of antifoams are often applied; silicone, polyglycol and fatty alcohol based.
Anti-foams based on silicone (polydimethylsiloxane) oils are often very effective but formation
of deposits has been reported when dosed at high levels for prolonged time. It is advised
therefore to apply silicone based anti-foams on a responsive basis.
When prolonged addition of antifoam is required (i.e. every day for several weeks) as part of a
preventive anti-foam dosing strategy, it is advised to apply a polyglycol based antifoam. This
group of products may be slightly less effective compared to silicone based anti-foams but
shows lower chance of deposits formation. A preventive antifoam strategy may be applied
where foaming problems are unable to be overcome by solvent clean up measures.
Preventive anti-foam dosing is only advised when effective carbon filtration is possible; buildup
of spent antifoam may render further anti-foam addition ineffective or even promote
foaming.
A third category of anti-foams is based on long chain alcohols (oleyl alcohol). In the presence
of oxidising agents, these alcohols can be converted into acids with strong foaming tendency.
The agents should be used with care and a carbon filter should be available to remove spent
anti-foam.
Shell Global Solutions advised AFAs:

Silicone based Supplier

Nalco EC9204 Nalco/Exxon,
SAG 7133 GE Silicones (formerly Crompton / OSI)
KS-604 Shinetsu Chemical, Japan
Polyglycol based – Only for use in aqueous systems
Maxamine 70B (only GE-BETZ
aq.solvent)
Nalco Exxon EC9079 A Nalco / Exxon

When selecting an AFA it is advisable to perform lab tests to ensure effectiveness and, if
another AFA is expected to be present in the solvent, compatibility should also be checked.
It is worth mentioning that most silicon based AFA’s have a limited shelf life (0.5 - 1 year) and
should not be exposed to frost or high temperatures (>30 oC). If the latter happens the AFA
will not be suitable for injection and can cause foaming. Do not inject AFA past the ‘use-by
date’! At best the antifoam will be less effective but worse it may also aggravate the foaming
problem.
It is worthwhile ensuring an effective log of antifoam usage is kept to allow trends over time or
correlation with other operational events to be made.

3.1.6 Not Foaming?

Some observations which may be interpreted as foaming of the solvent could be due to other
causes e.g.:
Observation Possible cause
Liquid carry over Fouling of trays of the absorber/regenerator
Overloading of these columns. Damaged
internals.
High pressure drop over the trays As above
Low level in regenerator As above and in addition leaking solvent
cooler