Status of the First Commercial Applications of CrystaSulf~(SM): H_2S Removal and Sulfur Recovery from Sour Gas in the Presence of Other Contaminants

摘要

CrystaSulf is a nonaqueous process that effectively treats gas with too much H 2Sto use a scavenger system but too little H_2S to use an amine/Claus approach. TheCrystaSulf process both removes H_2S from sour gas and converts it into elemental sulfur.In most applications, the CrystaSulf process would be used instead of an amine unit, aClaus unit, and a tail gas treatment unit combined. Since it is not adversely affected bymany common gas contaminants, CrystaSulf is especially cost effective on gas streamswith contaminants such as CO_2, oxygen, mercaptans, and slugs of liquid hydrocarbons.This is demonstrated through a review of the first commercial applications of thetechnology.The first two licensed applications are on gas streams with relatively high CO_2content and significant contamination by carbon monoxide, hydrogen, oxygen,mercaptans, and other species. This paper discusses the general characteristics of theCrystaSulf process; gives some data on the first two licensed CrystaSulf applications;reviews the effects of feed contaminants (such as those above) on CrystaSulf, ontraditional amine/Claus/TGT systems, and on aqueous sulfur recovery systems; andpresents recent results for sulfur quality from the CrystaSulf process.The paper also gives approximate economics for CrystaSulf relative to othertreating/sulfur recovery options and summarizes the recent alliance of CrystaTech andHanover to promote the implementation of CrystaSulf in natural gas applications.CrystaSulf is a service mark of CrystaTech, Inc.