METHOD OF REMOVING HEAT-RESISTANT SALTS FROM ALKANOLAMINE SORBENT Russian patent published in 1996 - IPC

FIELD: chemical engineering. SUBSTANCE: alkanolamine sorbent finds use in conditioning of natural and synthetic gases for removal therefrom acidic components. To purify sorbent from heat-resistant alkanolamine salts such as formates, sulfites, oxalates, thiocyanates, and chlorides produced during thermal regeneration of sorbent, the latter is directed into electrochemical cell(s) consisted of container separated by anion-exchange membrane into cathode compartment with lamellar cathode made of nickel or porous graphite and anode compartment with anode made of platinum, platinized or covered with iridium oxide conducting metal stable in operation conditions for at least 5000 h. Anode compartment contains as anolyte aqueous solution of alkali metal salt capable to react with anions of above said heat-resistant salts. Both cathode and anode are connected to power source. Into cathode compartment, a specified portion of exhausted sorbent is introduced as a catholyte. Removed from the cathode, exhausted sorbent contains less heat-resistant salts by 10%. The thus treated sorbent is further mixed with a portion of exhausted sorbent which has not been passed through cathode compartment and mixture obtained is recycled to gas conditioning. Concentration of alkali metal ions in anode compartment is maintained on the level sufficient to neutralize heat-resistant salt anions in specified portion of exhausted sorbent. EFFECT: enhanced efficiency of gas conditioning.