Stress corrosion cracking of steels in amine solutions used in natural gas treatment plants

"""sour"" natural gases are ""sweetened"" by reaction with alkaline solutions to remove H2S, CO, and other acid gases. The most common processes utilize ethanolamines to remove the acid gases . Monoethanlolamine (MEA) and diethanolamines (DEA) are the most freqently used ethanolines. Stress corrosioncracking(SCC) of carbon steels in ethanolamine solutions was first reported in 1951, and SCC in a natural gas treatment plant amine system was first reported in 1953. As a result ofSCC occurrencesin amine acid-gas removal systems in a number of U.S. refineries, the National Association og Corrosion Engineers (NACE) appointed a Task Committee , deignated T-8-14, to investigate SCC in amine acid-gas removal systems in refineries and related industries. Task Committee T8-14 collecteddata data coserning amine-cracking experience in 273 refineries, 16 gas treatment, and 6 chemical plants."