How to Calculate the MDEA Content in a Shipment

Your plant needs 10 metric tons of N-methyldiethanolamine (MDEA, CAS 105-59-9) contained in the product it receives. The quotation offers a 50 wt% aqueous solution. To determine the order quantity, first distinguish the net weight of the delivered solution from the weight of MDEA contained within it.

Multiply net product weight by the mass fraction

Mass fraction expresses the mass of a component divided by the total mass of the mixture. A concentration of 50 wt% MDEA therefore corresponds to a mass fraction of 0.50. mass fraction (M03722)

Contained MDEA mass = net product mass × MDEA mass fraction

For a shipment of 20,000 kg net at 50 wt% MDEA, the calculation is:

20,000 × 0.50 = 10,000 kg of contained MDEA

Use the net product weight after accounting for packaging tare.

Calculate the product quantity needed for an order

Rearrange the same relationship when the required contained quantity is already known.

Required net product mass = required MDEA mass ÷ MDEA mass fraction

In a hypothetical example, supplying 10,000 kg of MDEA through a 40 wt% solution requires:

10,000 ÷ 0.40 = 25,000 kg of solution

Use the agreed concentration for order planning. If the supplied grade has an acceptable concentration range, confirm how that range affects the quantity your plant requires.

Check how the concentration was reported

Before using an assay result in this calculation, confirm that it represents MDEA weight percent in the product as delivered. If the report gives GC area percent, ask the supplier or laboratory to confirm the mass-based value. For a formulated solvent, also check whether a reported “total amine” value includes other amine components.

State both quantities in your MDEA inquiry

Send China Amines Co., Limited the required contained MDEA quantity, preferred delivered concentration, packaging and destination port. If your purchasing team orders by net solution weight, state that quantity explicitly so the quotation and packing documents use the same basis.

Inquiries
info@chinaamines.com

Technical references

• IUPAC Gold Book — Mass Fraction
• IUPAC Gold Book — Chemical Purity