Closing the Loop on Sulphide Scavenger Management: A Complete Analysis Toolkit for MEA, MMA, and MIPA/MBO Chemistries
Published by Kristian Ilasko,
Digital Content Coordinator
Oilfield Technology,
While these alternative scavengers offer distinct advantages, ranging from cost efficiencies to better performance in cold climates to fewer problematic by-products, they have historically introduced a blind spot in operational data. To date, analytical tools have lagged chemical innovation, leaving operators to guess at residual levels and reaction efficiencies.
OndaVia has addressed this by effectively closing the loop on triazine analysis. With its latest update, the OPAL-103 system now offers a unified platform for measuring the full spectrum of amine-formaldehyde-based scavengers: MEA, MMA, and MBO.
"Operators shouldn't have to compromise on data visibility just because they optimise their chemical selection for cost or residuals," says Mark Peterman, CEO of OndaVia. "By expanding our capabilities to include MMA and MIPA alongside our established MEA analysis, we have turned the OPAL-103 into a universal toolkit. We give our customers a complete picture of their chemical programme – from the fresh active components to the spent by-products – regardless of which specific triazine molecule is protecting their infrastructure."
Precision across the triazine family
For operators using MMA-triazine, the new capabilities offer a granular view of chemical residuals previously unavailable. The system can now measure excess MMA and formaldehyde specifically within MMA-triazine-based scavenger solutions. This distinction is vital; over-dosing scavengers is a significant waste of OPEX, while under-dosing poses severe safety and pipeline integrity risks. By measuring the excess components, chemical engineers can dial in pump rates to match actual H2S loading rather than theoretical maximums.
Similarly, for those deploying MBO-based scavengers, the system now quantifies free MIPA and formaldehyde. The ability to detect these free components at low levels ensures that operators are seeing the true picture of their residual chemical, rather than a masked aggregate.
And, of course, these new capabilities sit alongside OndaVia’s existing, industry-leading analysis for MEA-triazine, ensuring that no matter how an operator mixes or rotates their scavenger supply, the analytical method remains consistent and rigorous.
The dithiazine equation: measuring the aftermath
Perhaps the most critical update for asset integrity managers is the ability to analyse the reaction by-products across the board. Scavenging H2S is only half the battle; managing the spent fluid is the other. The reaction of any triazine species with H2S produces dithiazine – a compound notorious for causing amorphous solid fouling that can plug condensers and restrict flow.
OndaVia has introduced the analysis of the dithiazine by-product for each of these compounds: MEA, MMA, and MBO. By measuring dithiazine levels, operators gain a mass-balance view of their system. They can see not only how much fresh chemical is present (including the free amine/formaldehyde measurement) but also exactly how much work the chemical has done (via the dithiazine measurement). This creates a complete feedback loop, allowing for the prediction of solids fallout risks before they become critical flow assurance failures.
A complete toolkit for chemical optimisation
With these updates, the OPAL-103 system has graduated from a specialised tool to a complete analysis toolkit for triazine-based scavengers. No matter which scavenger has been deployed, the analytical approach remains consistent.
The ability to perform low-level analysis of free components for each analyte removes the guesswork from chemical optimisation. Operators no longer need to rely on vendor estimates or generic residual tests that fail to account for the specific amine chemistry in use. By providing precise data on fresh chemical residuals and spent reaction by-products across the full triazine family, OndaVia is giving operators the clarity needed to reduce chemical spend, protect infrastructure, and maintain cleaner, safer production.
More information is available at https://www.ondavia.com and https://www.ondavia.com/triazines
Read the article online at: https://www.oilfieldtechnology.com/special-reports/02022026/closing-the-loop-on-sulphide-scavenger-management-a-complete-analysis-toolkit-for-mea-mma-and-mipambo-chemistries/