SULFINT HP : A NEW REDOX PROCESS FOR THE DIRECT HIGH PRESSURE REMOVAL OF H2S

摘要

Redox processes allow the removal of H2S from gases along with its direct conversion into elemental sulfur, in a single unit. Due to their high sulfur removal efficiencies and their simplicity, redox processes are economically attractive, compared to other desulfurization processes (Claus chains,…), in the field of moderate sulfur production (from about hundred kg up to a few tons per day). Unfortunately current redox technologies are not applicable for treating gases at high pressures . Therefore the desulfurization of high pressure gases, like natural gas, generally requires the installation of an amine unit followed either by a low pressure redox or a Claus plant in order to treat the acid gas. The redox process SULFINT, originally developed by LGI, has been further modified and improved with IFP in association with GDF, for the direct treatment of high pressure gases : this is called SULFINT HP. The SULFINT HP has been demonstrated successfully in early 1999 on an industrial pilot plant, treating up to 2000 Nm3/h (1.7 MMSCFD) of high pressure (80 bar (1160 psia)) natural gas from the GDF underground storage at Soings en Sologne (France). The main features of the process are presented, along with pilot tests results obtained between 1999 and 2000. Sulfint HP has now been operated successfully for more than 3700 hours. The operation of the process has always been very stable and reliable, even at high sulfur loadings (the feed H2S levels were varied between 8 and 5000 ppm vol).