Controlling Amine Ratio

[jeem]

In amine production, what are the controlling factors to have effective amine ratio (MEA/DEA/TEA distribution in production) during the process?

[tuan]

It depends on Ammonia to Ethylene Oxide ratio.
With high ammonia there would be more MEA and with low, more DEA and TEA.

[opo21]

That is the pretty straight forward answer provided by tuan.
However, there are factors affecting the ratio even if the feed ratio is kept in control.
Like this is a highly exothermic reaction, and with drift in the temperature, ratio gets affected leading to secondary amine formation.
Side reactions can also happen, and that would require an online monitoring /logic control to be in place;
If MEA increases then adjust NH₃ downward
If TEA increases then increase NH₃

[jeem]

Thanks guys.