Amine Filtration Sizing Calculator
Sizes mechanical filters (cartridge, bag, or backwash) and activated carbon beds for amine system filtration. Calculates required filter area, cartridge count, carbon bed volume, empty bed contact time (EBCT), and annual operating costs per GPSA Ch. 21. Proper amine filtration removes iron sulfide, scale, degradation products, and dissolved surfactants to maintain solution quality and prevent foaming.

GPSA Ch. 21

Calculation Mode:

Design Rate

Design: Size mechanical filter and carbon bed from amine system parameters.

Amine System

Amine Type

Amine Concentration

wt%

Amine Circulation Rate

GPM

Amine Temperature

°F

System Pressure

psig

Mechanical Filter

Filter Type

Filter Micron Rating

μm

Filtration Slip-stream

Percentage of total circulation

Carbon Bed

Include Carbon Bed

Empty Bed Contact Time (EBCT)

min

Existing Equipment

Existing Filter Area

ft²

Existing Carbon Volume

ft³

GPSA Filtration Guidelines

Parameter	Recommendation
Slip-stream	10–20% minimum
Micron rating	10 μm nominal
Carbon EBCT	10–20 minutes
Filter ΔP change	At 15–20 psi

Engineering Basis

Mechanical Filter Sizing:

Q_filter = Q_circ × (Slip-stream% / 100)

Where Q_circ = total amine circulation rate (GPM), slip-stream percentage determines the fraction routed through the filter system. Filter area sized based on maximum allowable face velocity for the selected filter type.

Carbon Bed Volume:

V_carbon = Q_filter × EBCT

Where EBCT = empty bed contact time (minutes). The carbon bed is sized to provide adequate residence time for adsorption of dissolved surfactants, degradation products, and heat-stable salts.

Filter Arrangement: Mechanical filter is installed upstream of the carbon bed to prevent particulate loading and premature carbon fouling. The slip-stream is typically taken from the lean amine return downstream of the lean/rich exchanger.

📚 Learn the Theory

Understand amine filtration design, mechanical filter selection, and activated carbon bed sizing principles

Read Engineering Guide →

Results

Filter Flow Rate

GPM

Filter Type -

Micron Rating -

Filter Area Required -

Cartridge / Element Count -

Housing Size -

Clean ΔP -

Carbon Bed

Carbon Volume -

Vessel Diameter -

Bed Depth -

EBCT -

Carbon Weight -

Bed ΔP -

Annual Operating Costs

Filter Cartridges -

Carbon Replacement -

Total Annual Cost -

Design Guidelines

Filter Placement: Install mechanical filter upstream of carbon bed to prevent particulate loading and premature carbon fouling.

Particulate Removal: 10 μm filtration removes iron sulfide and scale particles that cause erosion, fouling, and foaming in amine systems.

Carbon Adsorption: Carbon bed removes dissolved surfactants, degradation products, and hydrocarbons that contribute to amine foaming and solution degradation.

Amine Filtration Sizing Calculator

Amine System

Mechanical Filter

Carbon Bed

Existing Equipment

GPSA Filtration Guidelines

Engineering Basis

📚 Learn the Theory

Results

Carbon Bed

Annual Operating Costs

Design Guidelines

Related Calculators

Amine Treatment

Activated Carbon

Separator Sizing

Claus Process