Login

Publication > Issue > Articles

Sulphuric acid equipment update

Summary

Sulphuric acid producers are always searching for more efficient, longer lasting and reasonably priced equipment. In this article some of the industry's key sulphuric acid equipment suppliers showcase their leading products.

Abstract

Including:

  • Acid towers
  • Pumps for molten sulphur
  • Mondi(TM) piping systems
  • New electrostatic precipitator "Carola"

 

Add to basket


The wet gas sulphuric acid plant - Part 1

Summary

The recovery of sulphur dioxide from metallurgical and spent acid regeneration gases for the production of sulphuric acid has been an effective means of reducing SO2 emissions from non-ferrous smelters, and for producing fresh sulphuric acid from waste or spent acids. Leonard J. Friedman and Samantha J. Friedman of Acid Engineering & Consulting review each of the unit operations in the gas cleaning section of the wet gas sulphuric acid plant, discussing various equipment designs, materials and the handling of gas stream variables and impurities.

Abstract

Metallurgical gas feed to a sulphuric acid plant is partially treated in the smelter before entering the acid plant.The gas is collected in hoods or off-gas take-offs, and is partially cooled to about 250- 350°C in a waste heat boiler, radiant air cooler or by partial saturation with water sprays. Bulk solids are removed in a dry, plate-type, 99% efficient electrostatic precipitator, or bag house (with solids recycled to the smelter). Spent acid plants decompose the spent or waste acid feed to sulphur dioxide gas in a decomposition furnace and partially cool the gas in a waste heat boiler before it enters the gas cooling and cleaning system.

The wet gas (metallurgical or spent acid regeneration) sulphuric acid plant is composed of two main sections:

  • the gas cooling-cleaning-purification area, where impurities and water are removed;
  • the contact section, where the sulphur dioxide is catalytically converted to sulphur trioxide and reacted with water to form sulphuric acid.

For the purposes of this paper, it is assumed the metallurgical gas has been pretreated as above at the entrance to the acid plant gas cleaning section, and the regeneration plant gas has been partially cooled in a waste heat boiler.

Add to basket


Sulphur hunt goes offshore

Summary

At the World Refining Association's European Fuels Conference delegates heard about the latest moves to cut sulphur in fuels – on land, on the sea, but not in the air. Chris Cunningham reports from Paris.

Abstract

If the oil refining industry wanted a motto, then “Never rest on your laurels” might be appropriate, especially as far as the technology and politics of sulphur is concerned. After a decade or so of open debate, Europe’s refiners have conceded the last centimetre of ground and are contemplating removal of the final drop of sulphur compounds from road fuels.

But there is still plenty of sulphur in the barrel and in oil products heavier than gasoline and middle distillates. Europe’s environmental and transportation legislators, having encountered limited resistance to their demands for increased desulphurisation of road fuels, can turn the spotlight onto other aspects of the refiner’s art.

Add to basket


Handling molten sulphur in refineries

Summary

Insufficient heat or piping failures in the transport of liquid sulphur or sulphur vapour create safety hazards, environmental problems, and plugging problems in refineries around the world. John Jondle of BP Texas City Business Unit and Dave Hornbaker of Controls Southeast discuss how BP has addressed these problems in two specific areas of the sulphur plant: the vent line system from the storage pit to the eductor, and the liquid sulphur transfer and offload lines of the terminal.

Abstract

Including:

  • Pit venting
  • Vent lines
  • Transfer and offload piping
  • Vent piping analyses
  • Transfer and offload piping analysis
  • New thermal maintance system

 

Add to basket