The Dow Chemical Company Introduces Breakthrough in Removal of Carbon Dioxide From Gas Streams

Business Wire, March 1, 1999

MIDLAND, Mich.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 1, 1999--The Technology Group for GAS/SPEC(a) products and services at The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE:DOW) is introducing GAS/SPEC CS-2000 formulated amine for removing large amounts of carbon dioxide from natural gas streams. Carbon dioxide occurs naturally in deposits of natural gas, particularly in parts of the Western United States and the Pacific Basin. Carbon dioxide is also found in refinery hydrogen plants and ammonia production facilities. When present, carbon dioxide reduces the BTU value of natural gas. It is also corrosive and freezes at a relatively high temperature, forming blocks of "dry" ice that can clog equipment lines and damage pumps. Its removal is an important step in the successful treatment of natural gas.

GAS/SPEC CS-2000 Solvent is designed to efficiently remove carbon dioxide levels from several percentage points down to parts per million, more efficiently than other commercially available solvents. The best known amines for gas treating applications are MEA (monoethanolamine) and DEA (diethanolamine). Dow has supplied these and other formulated amines for several decades. Many are still used for bulk carbon dioxide removal. Without the use of heavy metal corrosion inhibitors, the concentration and loading of these products must be limited to minimize equipment corrosion. For example, MEA is generally limited to less than 20% weight in solution and operated with a maximum carbon dioxide loading of 0.30 mole/carbon dioxide/mole amine. While DEA is usually maintained at less than 30 weight percent and 0.40 mole/mole loading.

In contrast, GAS/SPEC CS-2000 Solvent can be used in concentrations up to 55% in solution and 0.45 mole/mole loading. This additional capacity allows an existing plant to expand its carbon dioxide removal capacity with less potential for equipment wear caused by corrosion. "We consider this new chemistry to be a real breakthrough in the successful treatment and removal of carbon dioxide from natural gas streams," said Shelby Oostwouder, marketing manager for the Technology Group for GAS/SPEC.

GAS/SPEC CS-2000 represents the latest in several decades of research and development in the field of gas treating by The Dow Chemical Company. Dow has supplied products, technology, and service to the gas treating industry for over forty years.

The Technology Group for GAS/SPEC was formed in 1982 to provide the breakthrough line of products based on MDEA (methyldiethanolamine). The products are provided along with an extensive array of services from Dow, including simulations of existing and new gas treating applications and on site technical support.

The Dow Chemical Company is one of the world's largest chemical manufacturing companies with annual sales of over $20 billion. The Technology Group for GAS/SPEC is headquartered in Houston, Texas. Visit us on the web at www.gastreating.com.

(a) Trademark and service mark of The Dow Chemical Company