The Impact of Heat Stable Salts on the Acid Gas Removal Process and the Methods and Challenges of Their Elimination from Alkanolamine Solutions

Mousavi, S. Hossein; Hashemifard, Seyed Abdollatif; Abbasi, Mohsen

doi:10.22034/farayandno.2026.2072335.2018

The Impact of Heat Stable Salts on the Acid Gas Removal Process and the Methods and Challenges of Their Elimination from Alkanolamine Solutions

Articles in Press

Document Type : Review

Authors

S. Hossein Mousavi ¹

seyed Abdollatif Hashemifard ²

Mohsen Abbasi ³

¹ Persian Gulf University

² Department of chemical Eng., Persian Gulf university

³ Persian Gulf university

10.22034/farayandno.2026.2072335.2018

Abstract

The absorption of acid gases using alkanolamines is vital in oil and gas. However, heat stable salts (HSS), formed by amine reactions with strong acids, cause major operational issues like reduced capacity, increased viscosity, foaming, corrosion, and lower efficiency. This study examines HSS formation mechanisms, structures, and removal methods. Evaluation shows ion-exchange methods are the most effective purification strategy, offering high efficiency and amine preservation. In contrast, chemical neutralization and adsorption were limited (<50% efficiency). Electrodialysis, electrosorption, and nanofiltration achieved 70–90% efficiency without chemicals but are best as complementary/selective approaches due to cost and challenges like fouling. This work provides a guide for optimizing acid gas processes and a foundation for future advanced purification technologies.

Keywords

Heat Stable Salts (HSS)

Acid Gas Removal

Alkanolamine Degradation

Foaming

Electrodialysis

Subjects