What materials are compatible with Amine (DEA / MEA / MDEA - Gas Sweetening)?

Carbon Steel (WCB/A105) (Good): Acceptable for lean amine at low temperature with velocity limits <3 m/s. Not for rich amine regenerator.. SS 316L (Excellent): Standard material for rich amine, regenerator, and reboiler service.. SS 304L (Good): Acceptable for lean amine; 316L preferred in hot rich amine.. Duplex SS 2205 (Excellent): Excellent corrosion resistance in amine; sometimes used for critical valves.. PTFE seats (Good): Acceptable for lean amine at low temperature; check chemical compatibility at regenerator conditions.. Hastelloy C-276 (Excellent): Used for hottest, most corrosive amine service points.

Home Service by FluidAmine (DEA / MEA / MDEA - Gas Sweetening)

corrosive

Valves for Amine (DEA / MEA / MDEA - Gas Sweetening) Service

Amine solutions - diethanolamine (DEA), monoethanolamine (MEA), and methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) - are used extensively in natural gas and refinery gas sweetening units to remove hydrogen sulphide (H₂S) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) from sour gas streams. The amine absorber and regenerator are among the most demanding corrosion environments in a gas plant.

Pressure Range

Absorber: 30–100 bar; Regenerator: 1–2 bar (vacuum flash)

Temperature

Absorber: 35–65°C; Regenerator reboiler: up to 135°C

Industries

Natural gas sweetening (H₂S and CO₂ removal), Refinery FCC off-gas treating, Hydrogen plant feed gas treating

INDICATIVE ONLY - Reference DisclaimerAmine systems handle hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), which is acutely toxic at low concentrations. All equipment specifications must comply with NACE MR0175 for sour service and applicable safety regulations. HAZOP review is mandatory for amine unit design. Vajra Industrial Solutions accepts no liability for material selection decisions based on this guide.

What valves are used for Amine (DEA / MEA / MDEA - Gas Sweetening) service?

Ball Valve (SS 316L body, PTFE seats, NACE MR0175 trim) are recommended for Amine (DEA / MEA / MDEA - Gas Sweetening) service: Standard isolation for amine absorption and regeneration circuits in sour service..

Key Properties - Amine (DEA / MEA / MDEA - Gas Sweetening)

Amine concentration: typically 30–50 wt% in water
Absorber conditions: low temperature (35–60°C), high pressure (up to 100 bar)
Regenerator: high temperature (110–130°C), low pressure (1–2 bar), highly corrosive
Rich amine (carrying H₂S + CO₂) is significantly more corrosive than lean amine
Heat stable salts (HSS) accumulate in amine - accelerate corrosion if not removed
SSCC (Sulphide Stress Corrosion Cracking) risk in sour service components

Vajra Industrial Solutions manufactures and supplies valves for Amine (DEA / MEA / MDEA - Gas Sweetening) service — including ball valve (ss 316l body, ptfe seats, nace mr0175 trim) — in corrosion-appropriate materials selected for the operating conditions described here, with full material and test documentation.

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Relevant Products

Ball Valves Gate Valves Globe Valves Check Valves

Material Compatibility - Amine (DEA / MEA / MDEA - Gas Sweetening)

Ratings are indicative. Actual compatibility depends on concentration, temperature, velocity, and presence of contaminants. Always consult corrosion tables or a materials engineer.

Material	Rating	Notes
Carbon Steel (WCB/A105)	Good	Acceptable for lean amine at low temperature with velocity limits <3 m/s. Not for rich amine regenerator.
SS 316L	Excellent	Standard material for rich amine, regenerator, and reboiler service.
SS 304L	Good	Acceptable for lean amine; 316L preferred in hot rich amine.
Duplex SS 2205	Excellent	Excellent corrosion resistance in amine; sometimes used for critical valves.
PTFE seats	Good	Acceptable for lean amine at low temperature; check chemical compatibility at regenerator conditions.
Hastelloy C-276	Excellent	Used for hottest, most corrosive amine service points.

Recommended Valves

Ball Valve (SS 316L body, PTFE seats, NACE MR0175 trim)

Standard isolation for amine absorption and regeneration circuits in sour service.

Full selection guide

Globe Valve (SS 316L, NACE-compliant)

Flow control on amine recirculation, lean/rich heat exchanger bypass.

Full selection guide

Gate Valve (SS 316L, OS&Y, NACE)

Large-bore isolation on amine contactors and regenerator columns.

Full selection guide

Control Valve (SS trim, NACE MR0175, anti-cavitation)

Rich amine level control on absorber - prone to cavitation due to pressure drop.

Full selection guide

Valves to Avoid

Carbon steel valves in rich amine at high temperature (corrosion rates >1 mm/year)

Copper alloy valves (amine attacks copper)

Valves with hardened trim above NACE MR0175 limit (22 HRC maximum for wetted metal parts)

Elastomeric seals not rated for H₂S/amine co-service

Special Considerations

NACE MR0175 compliance for all metallic components in H₂S co-service - mandatory in sour gas plant design

Amine foaming: caused by valve-induced turbulence - flow velocities must be controlled

Corrosion allowance: specify minimum 3 mm additional wall for carbon steel in lean amine service

Shutdown and standby: amine systems must be kept full or nitrogen-blanketed to prevent oxidation during downtime

Applicable Standards

NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 (sour service)ASME B16.34API 600 (large bore gate/globe)ASME B31.3

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Part of the Vajra Fluid Service Library

Amine (DEA / MEA / MDEA - Gas Sweetening) Service — Procurement & Specification

Typical Applications

Natural gas sweetening (H₂S and CO₂ removal)Refinery FCC off-gas treatingHydrogen plant feed gas treatingAmmonia plant CO₂ removalLNG feed gas treating

Available Standards

NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156 (sour service)ASME B16.34API 600 (large bore gate/globe)ASME B31.3

Material Options

Carbon Steel (WCB/A105)SS 316LSS 304LDuplex SS 2205PTFE seatsHastelloy C-276

Documentation Available