BASF aMDEA Process

[CGarcia]

Does anyone knows if the license that you purchase to use the BASF aMDEA process with the high flash regeneration and stuffs, can only use the activated MDEA sold by BASF?. In other words, if I install a plant using the aMDEA configuration do I always have to use the BASF MDEA solvent, for the rest of the plant`s life? Could I be sued by them if I use an amine from the competition?.

Thanks in advance for your support.

 

[JoeWong88]

BASF aMDEA is a special formulated MDEA which results a rather small and pack system (adsorption column, regen, etc). Changing to other chemical would lead to under perform amine system UNLESS your substitute can meet or better than aMDEA...

If you really wanna to do so (i believe many out there are doing this due to OPEX), please engage special formulated amine vendor to advise you base on your existing configuration. Ordinary amine (MDEA, DEA, etc) would lead to under-perform condition with same capacity or sacrify your capacity.

 

[CGarcia]

TYVM Joe.

I understand your point, and I know that unless I substitute with a better formulated MDEA my treating capacity will suffer. But my question is not about performance is about the license agreement. As you may know the BASF aMDEA process is licensed. What I would like to know is that if there is some kind of obligation that if my plant is built under a BASF aMDEA configuration, am I only allowed to use the aMDEA sold by them.

Thanks.

 

[dcasto]

First off, the MDEA process is an open process. There is no patents and trade secrets are around the the additives each vendor puts in the MDEA mixture.

You need to read a contract with BASF and decide if you want to have a contract that limits your future. If you do, then sign it. If you don't tell them no and then go elsewhere. Better yet, just use the open standard process and use BASF's forulated MDEA.

 

[CGarcia]

TYVM dcasto

Well I kind of disagree with your comments my friend. Because the aMDEA process is a licensed process by BASF (look at their webpage). Now, it is true that Generic MDEA and some of the formulated MDEA from other vendors are open standard processes. But in this particular case, I know that you have to pay a fee to BASF for the usage of their technology. Now, the thing is that I do not have access to the contract, that is why I`m looking for someone who has worked with this aMDEA from BASF, and see if they know if you can change the activated MDEA solvent that comes along with the process without having to pay an extra fee to BASF, or even worse get sued by them by using their license process with a formulated amine from the competition.

Regards all.

 

[JoeWong88]

CGarcia,
Yeap. It is great that you have the understanding of impact from technical aspect.

Well... your question is more related to contract issue. I guess this only can be answered by checking the signed contract.

Contract is area, politic, government policies, industrial environment, time, etc related. I think the contract sign in Germany and India would be quite different due to above mentioned factors...

 

[dcasto]

I've talked with our BASF rep and I don't have to pay for anything I don't want. If you want their amine and their gaurantee, then you have to pay. The last time I did an RFQ was to replace the sulfanol with an MDEA. BAF quoted truck load quanities, and I didn't need their process help, just chemical/capacity gaurantee.


Quote from thier site: BASF offers all its aMDEA customers a full range of services such as start-up assistance, operator training, process simulation, laboratory services, troubleshooting and plant optimization. The aMDEA process is supported by a sophisticated in-house simulation program and dedicated R & D.
Your goal - and ours - is to keep your plant running smoothly at all times. Our efforts are firmly focused on delivering what your plant needs, and we cooperate closely with our customers to work out a package of services that fits perfectly. Wherever you are in the world, our experienced team of process engineers will be ready to provide support and troubleshooting