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Publication > Issue > Articles
Sulphuric acid in rare earths processing
Summary
Global demand for rare earth metals is increasing, particularly for electric vehicle batteries and renewable energy devices, potentially leading to increased use of sulphuric acid in their extraction.Abstract
The ‘rare earth’ elements are generally considered to be the 14 lanthanide metals (see Figure 1), as well as yttrium, element 39, which sits directly above lanthanum in the periodic table. Keywords: SUPPLY, CONSUMPTION, GYPSUM, PHOSPHOGYPSUM, CHINA, AUSTRALIA, LYNAS, MAGNET, CERIUM, CATALYSTTransporting sulphur safely
Summary
Sulphur is a relatively safe and inert solid. However, it has a number of unique physical and chemical properties which can give rise to hazards, particularly during transport and handling.Abstract
Sulphur falls under the UN RID dangerous goods code 4.1, classing it as a flammable substance. Sulphur burns readily and generates toxic sulphur dioxide when doing so. Keywords: LIQUID, RAIL, SEA, CORROSION, CHLORIDE, LIME, SULPHIDE, VAPOUR, HANDLING, STORAGE, STATIC, FIRE, EXPLOSION, DUSTSulphur and the aviation industry
Summary
A move towards so-called 'sustainable aviation fuels' (SAF) could see refineries having to recast their operations. What might this mean for sulphur production?Abstract
National governments are beginning to bear down increasingly heavily on reduction of carbon dioxide and carbon dioxide equivalent emissions in order to head off potentially disastrous climate change. Keywords: BIOJET, SUSTAINABLE, SAF, HEFA, FATTY, ESTER, PROCESSING, F-T, FISCHER-TROPSCH, HYDROTREAT, GASIFICATION, GASIFYRoad to sustainability
Summary
The energy transition has already commenced and while sulphuric acid production is already virtually carbon free, there will likely still be impacts on the sulphuric acid industry resulting from this energy transformation. Hannes Storch, Shailesh Chandrol, Collin Bartlett and Jens Kleiber of Metso Outotec present their view on a roadmap to sustainability, preparing for energy transition in the sulphuric acid industry through permanent product development, digitalisation and new technologies.Abstract
The reality of climate change and the consequences of it are becoming visible; the average temperature of the globe is rising; ever more unprecedented weather events can be observed. In Fig. 1 the effect of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on global warming is illustrated for different scenarios1. Keywords: sulphuric acid industry, roadmap, sustainability, energy transition, product development, digitalisation, new technologies, gypsum, process optimiser, Metso OutotecMaximising energy efficiency in acid plants
Summary
With energy prices skyrocketing, sulphuric acid plant operators face a heightened challenge to improve plant efficiency. Martin Alvarez from Topsoe discusses how the company's new high-activity catalyst, VK38+, can help acid plants maximise energy efficiency to secure important economic benefits while simultaneously reducing their carbon footprint.Abstract
With geopolitical tensions leading to a sustained increase in electricity prices, improving the energy efficiency of acid plants has become a priority for many sulphuric-acid operators. Keywords: sulphuric acid catalyst, high activity catalyst, VK38+, sulphuric acid plant, steam generation, blower, energy consumption, pressure drop, gas strength, energy efficiency, economic benefits, carbon footprint, TopsoeAcid mist removal
Summary
NORAM has recently introduced a patented acid entrainment mitigation device (EMD) to deal with acid mist carryover from sulphuric acid towers.Abstract
Keywords: sulphuric acid equipment, strong sulphuric acid, mist elimination Sulzer KnitMesh XCOAT™, mist eliminator, corrosion, drying towers, Sulzer ChemtechMist elimination challenges in corrosive applications
Summary
Mist elimination challenges in corrosive applications Daniel R. Egger of Sulzer Chemtech Ltd discusses mist elimination challenges in strong sulphuric acid applications and presents the unique Sulzer KnitMesh XCOAT™ mist eliminator as an ideal solution for corrosive services such as in sulphuric acid drying towers.Abstract
Droplet removal plays a very crucial role in preventing damage to downstream equipment. This issue becomes more alarming in highly acidic applications such as in sulphuric acid drying towers. Keywords: sulphuric acid equipment, strong sulphuric acid, mist elimination Sulzer KnitMesh XCOAT™, mist eliminator, corrosion, drying towers, Sulzer ChemtechA novel thermal stage process camera for sulphur plants
Summary
Enhancing the reliability of sulphur plant starts in the thermal stage. Matt Coady and Martin McCallister of Delta Controls report on a recently developed and launched insertable process camera that monitors the vessel interior of online Claus thermal reactors, providing valuable process data which will allow plants to make better informed operation decisions.Abstract
Over the past decade, the refining industry has seen a shift from achieving environmental targets to emphasising reliability. Unreliable sulphur plants now have financial implications by posing the risk of reducing refinery throughput. Keywords: sulphur plant, process camera, plant monitoring, sight port, inspection, remote monitoring, Claus thermal reactor, ProSpection, temperature instrumentation, plant reliability, tubesheet protection system, Delta ControlsEffect of amine contamination by TEG
Summary
The capabilities of OGT's ProTreat® simulator were recently enhanced by the addition of gas treating with hybrid solvents. The functionality was developed generically to make it as broadly applicable as possible. In this article, Ralph H. Weiland of Optimized Gas Treating investigates the effect of TEG as a contaminant on the performance of DEA, MDEA, and piperazine-promoted MDEA in a gas treating application.Abstract
Hybrid solvents are a class of extractive agents in which, typically, some of the water and amine content of a conventional amine-based solvent is replaced by a physical, non-aqueous, non-reactive component. The earliest commercial example is the solvent Sulfinol-D™ as developed and licensed by Shell Catalysts & Technologies over the last 60 years. Keywords: gas treating, ProTreat, simulator, hybrid solvents, vapour-liquid equilibrium, mass transfer rate, TEG, TEG contamination, DEA, MDEA, piperazine-promoted MDEA, Optimized Gas Treating.Commissioning amine plants in extreme environments
Summary
Operating plants in extreme environments can present unique challenges. If these challenges are not anticipated and addressed in design and commissioning, the plant will not be able to start up nor meet its specification. This article examines the challenges faced in commissioning amine plants operating in three diverse environments (extreme heat, extreme cold, and offshore) and the technical and procedural solutions employed to resolve them. Mike Sheilan, Ben Spooner, Kaiyr Tekebayev, and Philip le Grange, Amine Experts.Abstract
The challenges and their technical solutions in the commissioning of seven amine units in very challenging environmental conditions are described in this article. The amine units operate in extreme conditions of ambient heat and cold and in locations with restricted access (i.e., offshore). Keywords: plant commissioning, amine plant, extreme environments, extreme heat, extreme cold, offshore, inlet gas contaminants, environmental hazards, start-up, inlet separation technology, fouling, flash drum fouling, activated carbon bed fouling, installation error, equipment error, legacy issues, mobile offshore facility, simulation, offshore gas, instrumentation, preservation, cleaning, piping, health and safety, pre-commissioning, Amine Experts