5.1.1.

1 Amine Corrosion
5.1.1.1.1 Description of Damage
a) Amine corrosion refers to the general and/or localized corrosion that occurs principally on carbon
steel in amine treating processes. Corrosion is not caused by the amine itself, but results from
dissolved acid gases (CO2 and H2S), amine degradation products, Heat Stable Amine Salts (HSAS)
and other contaminants.
b) Stress corrosion cracking of carbon steel in amine services is discussed in 5.1.2.2.
5.1.1.1.2 Affected Materials
Primarily carbon steel. 300 Series SS are highly resistant.
5.1.1.1.3 Critical Factors
a) Corrosion depends on design and operating practices, the type of amine, amine concentration,
contaminants, temperature and velocity.
b) Amine corrosion is very closely tied to the operation of the unit. With a few exceptions, carbon steel
is suitable for most components in a properly designed and operated unit. Most problems can be
traced to faulty design, poor operating practices or solution contamination.
c) Corrosion is also dependent on the type of amine used. In general, alkanolamine systems can be
rated in order of aggressiveness from most to least as follows: monoethanolamine (MEA),
diglycolamine (DGA), diisopropylamine (DIPA), diethanolamine (DEA), and methyldi amine (MDEA).
d) Lean amine solutions are generally not corrosive because they have either low conductivity and or
high pH. However, an excessive accumulation of heat stable amine salts (HSAS) above about 2%,
depending on the amine, can significantly increase corrosion rates.
e) Lean amine solutions contain a small amount of H2S which helps to maintains a stable iron sulfide
film. Overstripped lean solutions can be corrosive if there is inadequate H2S present to maintain the
protective iron sulfide film.
f) Ammonia, H2S and HCN accelerate corrosion in the regenerator overhead condenser and outlet
piping as well as reflux piping, valves and pumps.
g) Corrosion rates increase with increasing temperature, particularly in rich amine service.
Temperatures above about 220°F (104°C) can result in acid gas flashing and severe localized
corrosion due to 2-phase flow, if the pressure drop is high enough.
h) Process stream velocity will influence the amine corrosion rate and nature of attack. Corrosion is
generally uniform however high velocities and turbulence will cause localized thickness losses. For
carbon steel, common velocity limits are generally limited to 3 to 6 fps for rich amine and about 20
fps for lean amine.
5.1.1.1.4 Affected Units or Equipment
a) Amine units are used in refineries to remove H2S, CO2 and mercaptans from process streams
originating in many units including the crude, coker, FCC, hydrogen reforming, hydroprocessing, and
tail gas units.
b) The regenerator reboiler and the regenerator are areas where the temperature and turbulence of the
amine stream are the highest and can cause significant corrosion problems.
c) The rich amine side of the lean/rich exchangers, hot lean amine piping, hot rich amine piping, the
amine solution pumps, and the reclaimers are also areas where corrosion problems occur.
5.1.1.1.5 Appearance or Morphology of Damage
a) Carbon steel and low alloy steels suffer general uniform thinning, localized corrosion or localized
underdeposit attack (Figure 5-1 to 5-6).
b) Thinning will be uniform in nature when the process stream velocity is low while it will be localized for
high velocities associated with turbulence.
5.1.1.1.6 Prevention / Mitigation
a) Proper operation of the amine system is the most effective way to control corrosion, with particular
 attention to acid gas loading levels. In addition, to avoid corrosive amine degradation products, the
process temperature should not exceed recommended limits. Proper control of the reboiler rate and
temperature is necessary in order to maintain a regenerator top temperature.
b) Proper attention should be given to avoid the buildup of HSAS to unacceptable levels.
c) The system design should incorporate measures to control local pressure drop to minimize flashing.
In areas where it is unavoidable, upgrading to 300 Series SS or other corrosion resistant alloys may
be required. SS410 trays and internals are also used in absorber and stripping towers.
d) Oxygen inleakage causes high corrosion rates and contributes to heat stable salt formation. Storage
tanks and surge vessels should be blanketed with inert gas.
e) Solids and hydrocarbons should be removed from the amine solution by filtration and through
process control. Filtration of rich amine solutions has the potential to be more effective than lean
amine filtration for solids removal.
f) Corrosion inhibitors may be required to control amine corrosion within acceptable levels.
5.1.1.1.7 Inspection and Monitoring
a) Visual examination and UT thickness measurement are the methods used for internal equipment
inspection. UT scans or profile radiography are used for external inspection.
b) Corrosion monitoring can also be achieved with corrosion coupons and/or corrosion probes.
c) Monitoring should target the hot areas of the unit such as the reboiler feed and return line, the hot
lean/rich amine piping, and the stripper overhead condenser piping.
d) Fouling of exchangers and filters can be a sign of corrosion problems on the unit.
5.1.1.1.8 Related Mechanisms
Amine stress corrosion cracking may also be found in 5.1.2.2.
5.1.1.1.9 References
1. J. Gutzeit “Refinery Corrosion Overview,” Process Industries Corrosion - The Theory and Practice,
NACE International, Houston, TX, 1986, pp. 171-189.
2. L.R. White and D.E. Street, “Corrosion Control in Amine Treating Units,” Proceedings of the Special
Symposium on Corrosion in the Oil Refining Industry, NACE International, Houston, TX, 1996.
3. R.B. Nielsen et al, “Corrosion in Refinery Amine Systems,”CORROSION/95, Paper No. 571, NACE
International, Houston, TX, 1995.
4. API Recommended Practice 945, Avoiding Environmental Cracking in Amine Units, American
Petroleum Institute, Washington, D.C.
5. M. A. Saleem and A.A. Hulaibi, , “Corrosion Challenges in Gas Treating Units”, Paper # 08416, NACE
International, Houston, TX, 2008.
6. P. Quiroga et al., “Improving Amine Unit Reliability with On-line Corrosion Monitoring & Modeling”,
Paper # 08421, NACE International, Houston, TX, 2008.
7. D. Fan et al., “Role of Impurities and H2S in Refinery Lean DEA System Corrosion”, Paper #00495,
NACE International, Houston, TX, 2004.
 Figure 5-1 – Localized amine corrosion at the weld found in piping from reboiler to regenerator
tower in an MEA unit. Many other similar cases found, some going as deep as half thickness. They
were originally found and mistaken as cracks with shear wave UT inspection.

Figure 5-2 – Hot Lean Amine Corrosion of Carbon Steel:

Figure 5-4 – Preferential corrosion in amine regenerator reboiler return elbow (Reference 6).
 Figure 5-5 – Corroded reboiler exchanger shell near liquid level from an amine regeneration unit,
(Numbers drawn on figure are UT thicknesses in inches. Nominal wall 0.550 inch (Reference 7).

Figure 5-6 – Corroded amine regenerator column shell near a downcomer (Numbers drawn on figure are
UT thicknesses in inches). Nominal Wall 0.500 inch (Reference 7).