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Middle East Sulphur Conference 2024

Summary

Representatives from across the global sulphur and sour gas community convened in Abu Dhabi from 20 to 23 May to discuss and debate the key strategic themes that are driving the industry. The Middle East Sulphur Conference (MEScon) is a premier event that brings together representatives from the entire sour gas and sulphur value chain to promote technology and innovation, lessons learned, best practices, knowledge transfer and R&D.

Abstract

The Middle East Sulphur Conference 2024, organised by CRU and UniverSUL Consulting and hosted by ADNOC, returned to the Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers for this premier sulphur event in the region which has become the epicentre of global sulphur and sour hydrocarbon production.
Keywords: Representatives from across the global sulphur and sour gas community convened in Abu Dhabi for the Middle East Sulphur Conference (MEScon) from 20 to 23 May to discuss and debate the key strategic themes that are driving the industry.

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100 years of Comprimo

Summary

As Comprimo celebrates its 100th anniversary, we explore the group's history from its earliest days in the Netherlands in the 1920s to its current status as a global leader in gas treatment and sulphur recovery technology.

Abstract

The name “Comprimo” is one very familiar to those involved in the gas treating and sulphur industry. Nearly all gas plants and refineries worldwide operate at least one unit designed by Comprimo, which represents more than 60 percent of licensed sulphur recovery units globally and has played a major role in reducing H2S and SO2 emissions since the 1950s. Comprimo, founded 100 years ago in Amsterdam, derives its name from the Dutch term “comprimeren,” which refers to industrial cooling by gas compression. 
Keywords: Comprimo, history, 100th anniversary, gas treatment, sulphur recovery technology, technology licensor, history, Shell, mergers, takeovers, engineering solutions, sustainable fuel, hydrogen production, SUPERCLAUS, CO2 capture, bio feedstocks, biofuels, CO2 emissions reduction,

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Boosting sulphuric acid production with oxygen

Summary

A plant operating a spent acid decomposition furnace as part of its sulphuric acid production facility desired to increase acid production primarily by processing additional spent acid while making minimal modifications to the plant equipment and operations. The Messer solution entailed introducing oxygen in two steps, both as an enrichment to the combustion air and by direct injection into the furnace. The resulting performance improvements exceeded the project objectives for acid production and spent acid decomposition, without increasing NOx emissions. This paper provides a summary of the system start-up and tuning and presents the resulting improvements and lessons learned.

Abstract

Sulphuric acid is used in petroleum refining as a catalyst for the alkylation of isobutane with C3-C5 olefins to produce higher octane gasoline for motor vehicle use. The process causes the sulphuric acid to become “spent” as it is contaminated with impurities such as water and hydrocarbons. Disposal of spent acid is not economical, and the preferred solution is to regenerate it in a spent acid recovery (SAR) unit. In recent years the volume of spent acid production has increased significantly. The investment required to construct new SAR units can be prohibitive, so production facilities look for opportunities to increase the capacity of existing equipment. 
Keywords: spent acid recovery, spent acid decomposition furnace, sulphuric acid plant, spent acid, oxygen enrichment, CFD modelling, process simulation, NOx emissions, start-up, lessons learned, Messer

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Energy optimisation in amine sweetening units

Summary

Aparna Saiju and Nishevitha U G of SLB-MPS explore the concept of energy optimisation using power recovery turbine (PRT) technology in amine sweetening units, focusing on its potential benefits, implementation strategies, and environmental implications.

Abstract

Energy optimisation is a critical concern in the oil and gas industry because it directly impacts operational efficiency, cost effectiveness, and environmental sustainability. One area in which significant energy savings can be achieved is the amine sweetening process, which is an essential step in natural gas processing for the removal of acid gases like H2S and CO2. A chemical solvent, typically monoethanolamine (MEA) or diethanolamine (DEA), is used to absorb acid gases from the sour gas stream, creating a rich amine. The rich amine is then regenerated to release the captured acid gases, and the lean amine is recycled back to the absorber.
Keywords: gas sweetening, energy optimisation, amine sweetening unit, power recovery turbine, PRT, pressure reduction, carbon footprint, revamping, payback analysis, project implementation, sustainability, SLP

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Digitalised sulphur recovery plants for greater plant efficiency

Summary

The pursuit of operational excellence requires continuous process monitoring, together with qualified analysis of the collected data. The Digital Process Monitor (DPM) provides a process digital twin which consists of an accurate process plant model that incorporates the licensor's knowledge and expertise in sulphur recovery technology, thereby providing continuous insights into plant performance. This article provides an overview of the DPM features focusing on the related benefits in terms of overall operational improvements and plant efficiency for the sulphur recovery unit.

Abstract

The digital economy is becoming a major focus for many businesses, from conventional hydrocarbon processing to the domain of green chemistry. 
Keywords: digital technologies, sulphur recovery unit, plant efficiency, process monitoring, digital twin, Digital Process Monitor, DPM of the DPM, dashboard, KPI, soft sensors, licensor modelling, data reconciliation, case study, opex saving, carbon footprint reduction, MAIRE

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Carbon capture in the sulphur value chain

Summary

Readers of Sulphur magazine have always been at the forefront of operating, designing, researching, and troubleshooting process units in the sulphur value chain. However, more recently, with the emergence of net zero initiatives by international conventions and governments (e.g. the Paris agreement), the push for decarbonisation in our industry has been on the rise. Ganank Srivastava of Bryan Research & Engineering takes a look at the bigger picture and examines ways to reduce carbon footprint in sour gas facilities.

Abstract

The treatment section is the heart of any sour gas processing facility. Usually, the hydrocarbons entering the plant travel through the following process units to prepare contaminant free natural gas (C1) for safe transportation and consumption: gas sweetening/GSU (to remove acidic H2S, CO2) → gas dehydration/GDU (to remove H2O) → turboexpander/DeC1 (to remove NGL). Responsible and compliant energy companies usually further invest in a sulphur recovery unit (SRU) that safely disposes of the acidic gaseous contaminants removed in the amine sweetening section (by converting harmful H2S to marketable sulphur, Sx). The front-end of a SRU also involves a burning step, where a portion of the acid gases react with O2 from air to produce SO2; which serves as a key reactant for subsequent sulphur production. Due to process inefficiencies, trace hydrocarbons making their way to SRUs, will be converted to unavoidable CO2 during this step too. 
Keywords: decarbonisation, carbon footprint, sour gas plant, gas sweetening, carbon capture, oxygen enhanced SRUs, CO2 exit points, solvent selection, physical solvent, chemical solvent, ProMax process model, COPE, AMP/PZ, MEA, aMDEA, Bryan Research & Engineering

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Handling liquid sulphur

Summary

Liquid sulphur presents unique challenges in its handling and transport compared to solid sulphur.

Abstract

Sulphur comes from a Claus plant in liquid form, and the feed to a sulphuric acid plant – by far the most likely destination for recovered sulphur – is also as a liquid. There is an argument, then, for transporting it from one place to the other in liquid form as well. However, shipping and storing liquid sulphur brings with it various challenges and expenses which have so far restricted its use to a few well-integrated routes. Keywords: heating, heat, steam, temperature, loading, corrosion, pipeline, pipelines, rail, tanker, degas, degassing, h2s

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Phosphate markets

Summary

Intermittent supply from China due to export restrictions and US duty changes have kept markets guessing over the past couple of years, and there is no sign of that changing.

Abstract

Phosphate prices started 2023 still at elevated levels after the price spikes seen in 2021-22 (Figure 1). They slid towards the end of the second quarter, albeit still at levels higher than before the run-up in prices that began in 2020, but then turned sharply back upwards again towards the end of 2023 and into 2024. The second quarter of 2024 has seen prices soften again as Chinese export restrictions appear to have moved the market into an annual cycle. Keywords: price, prices, exports, demand, supply, china, imports, availability, brazil, russia, MAP, DAP, morocco

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New Asian refining capacity

Summary

The refining industry continues to pivot towards Asia, with knock-on effects for sulphur output.

Abstract

The refining industry, the source of half of the world’s elemental sulphur, continues to grapple with a variety of changes. In the OECD countries of Europe, North America and East Asia, plateauing or falling demand due to improved fuel efficiency of vehicles and the continuing spread of battery and hybrid powered cars are reducing demand, while the sanctions following the Ukrainian invasion has radically disrupted flows of both crude and refined products; Russia was not only a major supplier of crude oil to Europe but also diesel. At the same time, Asia continues to build large integrated refineries to deal with rising fuel demand from increasing vehicle ownership and use and the replacement of imported refined products with domestically produced ones. Keywords: refinery, oil, refineries, petrochemical, crude, bbl, barrel, demand, china, india

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