BASF

Taminco
Huntsman

Mixed solvent

1.2.2

Antifoam Agent (AFA)

A list of recommended AFAs is as presented in the following table:

Table 4: Recommended List of AFAs
Silicone based

Supplier

Nalco EC9204

Nalco/Exxon,

SAG 7133

GE Silicones (formerly Crompton / OSI)

The Anti-Foam Agent is normally administered as a shot (or shock) dose injected in the
system at a rate of 1 to 5 ppm weight on inventory of solvent. The number of shots of AFA
should be limited to 1 per 8-hour shift or 3 per day as maximum. A rough calculation to
estimate annual consumption, assumes two incidents every month (3 doses per incident).
Based on this calculation, Antifoam agent use is estimated at 27 kg/year.
Most silicon based AFAs have a limited shelf life (0.5 - 1 year) and should not be exposed to
frost or high temperatures (>30oC). If the latter happens the AFA will not be suitable for
injection and can cause foaming. Both SAG 7133 and Nalco EC 9204 have been used in
plants using sulfinol as the solvent with good experience in terms of foam control as well as
being less prone to fouling. Based on average temperature at site, silicon based AFAs
(preferably SAG 7133) are recommended.

1.2.3

Activated Carbon Filter

A number of recommended types of activated carbon and their typical properties are
presented below:
Table 5: Manufacturers for Activated Carbon Filters
Manufacturer

Norit

Norit

Norit

Norit

Calgon

Type

GAC 830

RO 0.8

Petrodarco

Petrodarco

SGL

8 x 30

4 x 10

8 x 30

Mesh size
3

Pore volume (cm /g)

0.85

1.0

0.95

0.90

0.85

Surface area (m /g)

1050

900

650

600

950-1050

Particle shape (-)

granules

extrudates

granules

granules

Granules

Particle size

>2.36 15%wt

>2.36 5%wt

>4.75 5%wt

>2.38 15%wt

(mm)

<0.60 4%wt

<0.60 5%wt

<1.70 5% wt

<0.60 4%wt

390

370

480

Apparent density
(kg/m3)

540

350

2.4 m3 is the expected carbon inventory & a typical change-out frequency of every 6-12
month (condition based).