The Fluor Econamine® process uses diglycolamine (DGA) to sweeten natural gas. The active DGA reagent is 2-(2-amino-ethoxy) ethanol, which is a primary amine. The reactions of DGA with acid gases are the same as for MEA. Degradation products from reactions with COS and CS2 can be regenerated in a reclaimer.
DGA systems typically circulate a solution of 50-70% DGA by weight in water. At these solution strengths and a loading of up to 0.3 mole of acid gas per mole of DGA, corrosion in DGA systems is slightly less than in MEA systems, and the advantages of a DGA system are that thelow vapor pressure decreases amine losses, and the high solution strength decreases circulation rates and heat required.
