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Advanced catalysts meeting the need for stricter regulations

Summary

M. Rameshni and S. Santo of Rameshni & Associated Technology & Engineering (RATE USA) report on advanced catalysts for increasing the sulphur recovery efficiency of new and existing sulphur recovery units to meet stricter environmental regulations.

Abstract

The US and Europe are required to meet SO2 emission limits ranging from 250 ppmv to less than 50 ppmv depending on the local regulations. The World Bank has also set the SO2 emission limit to less than 50 ppmv for the funding of new investments which translates to a recovery of 99.99%. Keywords: sulphur recovery unit enivironmental regulations, SRU catalysts, sulphur recovery efficiency, SMAX direct oxidation, S-MAXB reduction and oxidation, SETR ADS 700 catalyst, RATE

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The consequences of condensate formation in acid plants

Summary

Condensate formation in sulphuric acid plants can cause severe corrosion problems leading to high maintenance and plant downtime. Santhosh S. of Metso Outotec discusses the importance of carrying out regular monitoring and maintaining accurate and detailed data about condensate to increase equipment life and avoid downtime. Different sources of condensate formation in the plant are discussed as well as the typical locations in the plant where the condensates end up.

Abstract

The condensate in a sulphuric acid plant is a key indicator of its overall condition. If left unchecked or not given sufficient attention, it can cause severe corrosion problems leading to high maintenance and downtime of the plant. Keywords: corrosion control, condensate formation, sulphuric acid plant, corrosion problems, maintenance, downtime, metallurgical acid plants, wet electrostatic precipitator, ESP, drying tower, intermediate absorption tower, final absorption tower, sulphuric acid dewpoint, CORD heat exchanger, sulphur burning acid plant, stick test, HIPROS, HEROS, condensate collection, monitoring, Metso Outotec

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Simple tests to keep problems at bay

Summary

E. Almeida and B. Ferraro of Clark Solutions discuss how regular monitoring by simple testing of the towers in sulphuric acid plants can improve the reliability and lifespan of the plant.

Abstract

Planning and strategy are imperative for an efficient sulphuric acid plant maintenance shutdown. Often, the need to substitute tower internals is only perceived when the status is critical, when abrupt process oscillations occur, or only at the moment the tower is opened. Keywords: sulphuric acid plant, testing, monitoring, plant maintenance, reliability, tower, dew point test, humidity, Kitasato test, stick test, Clark Solutions

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Sulphur: a critical component in soil and plant health

Summary

Sulphur is becoming an increasingly vital crop nutrient, due to a combination of lower sulphur deposition from the atmosphere, the increasing prevalence of high-analysis fertilizers and higher cropping intensity.

Abstract

The sulphur cycle Similar to nitrogen and phosphorus, sulphur follows a cycle (Sulphur 392 p. 16). This cycle illustrates: l how sulphur moves between land, air and sea in different forms; Keywords: sulphur fertilizers, crop nutrient, sulphur deposition, high-analysis fertilizers, cropping intensity, sulphur cycle, market trends, sulphur consumption, single superphosphate, SSP, ammonium sulphate, AS, sulphate of potash, SOP, sulphuate of potash magnesia, SOPM, ammonium phosphate sulphate, APS, sulphur enhanced fertilizers, liquid sulphur products, thiosulphates

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Southern Africa's sulphur and acid mix

Summary

Copper leaching and smelting projects in Zambia and Zimbabwe continue to dominate acid production and consumption, with output expected to increase from the Kamoa-Kakula project.

Abstract

While north Africa’s sulphur demand is dominated by its phosphate industry, in Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Egypt, south of the Sahara it is copper, cobalt and uranium mining, leaching and smelting that hold sway over acid production and demand, and hence sulphur requirements. Keywords: ZAMBIA, ZIMBABWE, CONGO, DRC, SMELTER, SASOL, REFINERY, NAMIBIA, COPPER, COBALT, URANIUM, ZINC, PHOSPHATE, SENEGAL

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Trends in base metal smelter acid production

Summary

Acid output is expected to increase as copper mining and smelting increases; the copper market is moving moves from deficit to surplus, with copper output expected to rise 5% in 2022 as demand increases for electric vehicles.

Abstract

Base metal smelting makes up about 30% of the world’s production of sulphuric acid. Because it is involuntary production to avoid emissions of harmful sulphur dioxide, production of smelter acid is driven primarily by the economics of metal markets rather than sulphuric acid prices, and hence it is often produced regardless of prevailing acid market conditions. Keywords: ZINC, LEAD, CHINA, JAPAN, KOREA, INDIA, CONGO, NICKEL, COPPER, BATTERY, BATTERIES

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