Dow Sru
Dow Sru
Dow Sru
Introduction
Overall Process
Description
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Figure 1 shows a block flow diagram of a typical sulfur recovery system consisting of a
Claus SRU, a BSR tail gas hydrogenation section, a UCARSOL Solvent tail gas treater, and
a thermal oxidizer. The feed to the Claus SRU can come from a variety of acid gas removal
processes including refinery amine and sour water stripping systems or a natural gas
sweetening unit. The basic Claus process is typically used for acid gas streams containing
35 volume percent or more hydrogen sulfide. The balance of the typical acid gas feed
stream consists mainly of carbon dioxide (CO2), small quantities of hydrocarbons, and
saturation water vapor. Claus SRU's have been built to produce from only a few to over
1500 tons of elemental sulfur per day. A number of variations of the Claus process have
been developed to treat streams containing lower concentrations of H2S. The Recycle
Selectox process will handle feed gases with hydrogen sulfide levels from less than one to
over 30 volume percent1.
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Solvent Selection
The development of alkanolamine solvents for acid gas treating is summarized in Figure 4.
Monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA), and, to a lesser extent, diglycolamine
(DGA) were used initially for total acid gas removal. Common applications included refinery
process streams, hydrogen plants, natural gas liquid extraction facilities, ammonia plants.
and ethylene plants. Many of these facilities still use these generic amines. The need for
selective sweetening was identified as energy costs increased dramatically in the early
1970's, and improved sulfur plant operations were desired.2,3 Selectivity refers to
preferentially absorbing H2S while "slipping" CO2 into the treated gas stream.
Methyldiethanolamine (MDEA), a tertiary amine, eventually became the most common
selective solvent due to its resistance to degradation and low tendency for corrosion.
The final development in amine technology was the introduction of performance solvents
which are based on tertiary amines. Proprietary additives are combined with the tertiary
amine to give even greater selectivity and lower energy consumption. Additives can also be
used to achieve removal of organic sulfur compounds such as carbonyl sulfide. Additionally,
some of the performance solvents are manufactured to provide more efficient, CO2 removal
versus MEA and DEA.
The chemistry of amine selectivity is based on the relative rates of reaction between the
compounds. All amines react rapidly with hydrogen sulfide. However, different classes of
amine react at significantly different rates with carbon dioxide because of amine structure
and the mechanism of the reaction. Referring to Figure 5, primary and secondary amines
react directly and fairly rapidly with CO2 to form a carbamate ion. Tertiary amines can not
form a carbamate ion, due to the lack of a free hydrogen radical on the nitrogen atom. The
CO2 must first dissolve in and react with water to form carbonate before reacting with the
tertiary amine. This step reduces reaction rates between CO2 and tertiary amines, producing
their selectivity toward H2S.
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Diisopropanolainine (DIPA) a secondary amine, was the first selective solvent used in low
pressure applications. DIPA's selectivity is based on the large isopropanol radicals
surrounding the available hydrogen radical on the nitrogen atom in the molecule. Steric
hinderance reduces reaction rates with carbon dioxide to yield some selectivity toward H2S.
Performance UCARSOL solvents, based on MDEA, offer superior hydrogen sulfide
selectivity, lower energy consumption, and the ability to treat the tail gas to lower H2S levels.
The energy savings that are gained with performance solvents stem from a reduction in
sensible heat and a lower heat of reaction. Tertiary amine-based solvents can operate at 50
weight percent solution strength without increased concern for corrosion. Therefore,
circulation rates can be lowered, and the sensible heat requirement in the regenerator
reboiler is reduced. The heat of reaction between a tertiary amine and H2S or CO2 is lower
than for the reaction with primary and secondary amines. This reduces the amount of
energy needed to regenerate a performance solvent.
Most performance solvents are able to achieve off-gas hydrogen sulphide levels of 50-200
ppmv from an absorber that operates at, or very close to, atmospheric pressure.
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One performance solvent, UCARSOL Solvent HS-103, is able to achieve levels less than 10
ppmv in the treated off-gas stream, enabling the off-gas to be vented rather than
incinerated. Substantial fuel savings are obtained by putting the incinerator on warm
standby.
Performance Solvents
Three case histories will demonstrate the advantages of performance solvents in the
operation of a tail gas treater (Figure 6). An existing tail gas treater was operating with 27
weight percent DIPA and the operators were interested in improving the H2S concentration
of the recycle gas fed back to the front of the Claus SRU reactor, while also achieving
energy savings in the tail gas unit. This was accomplished by converting to UCARSOL
Solvent HS-101. The CO2 slippage improved from 48 percent with DIPA to 95 percent with
the new solvent. The concentration of H2S in the recycle stream increased from 35 volume
percent to 66 volume percent. In addition, a 49 percent energy savings was achieved
through reduced regenerator reboiler steam.
The operators of another existing tail gas treater (Figure 7) wanted to reduce H2S emissions
to below 10 ppmv from the current level of more than 100 ppmv. The environmental
regulatory agency for the refinery would permit the temperature in their thermal oxidizer to
be reduced from 1200F (650C) to 600F (315C) if the lower H2S level could be attained.
UCARSOL Solvent HS-103 was employed to treat the Claus SRU tail gas to the lower
specification. The incinerator temperature was reduced and the fuel gas consumption is now
one-half the design rate. When combined with lower regenerator reboiler steam
requirements, the calculated energy requirement is 55 percent lower with the new solvent.
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A third example illustrates the proven performance of UCARSOL Solvent HS- 103 in
consistently meeting a 10 ppmv treated gas H2S specification. A new tail gas unit was
added to a Claus SRU at a Los Angeles, California refinery under than strict control of the
South Coast Air Quality Management District. As part of the BSR/ UCARSOL Solvent HS103 design, treated gas from the amine absorber was to be vented directly to the
atmosphere without being routed through a thermal oxidizer. The only provision made for
upsets was to divert absorber feed to the original SRU incinerator. This unit operated
successfully as designed with direct atmospheric venting for two years. The incinerator must
be kept warm and ready but is normally bypassed. The H2S in the treated gas from the
absorber is continuously monitored and consistently has been below 10 ppmv. The design
gas stream to the absorber is 3.0 mmscfd (3349 Nm3/h) at 17.2 psia (119 kPa) and 100F
(38C). Lean amine to the absorber is maintained at or below 100F (38C).
In addition to offering the latest in amine treating technology, Union Carbide provided
valuable technical services, free-of-charge, in support of these conversions to UCARSOL
Performance Solvents. These services included computer simulations of the amine treating
unit, solution analyses, and engineering assistance in optimizing and trouble-shooting the
amine systems. Using the experience gained by servicing over 300 facilities worldwide
(including over 30 tail gas amine systems), the Union Carbide engineers were able to
prevent problems and quickly identify remedial actions when problems did occur. The
analytical and engineering services are ongoing for as long as UCARSOL Solvent is used in
the amine system.
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Key considerations in the operation of a tail gas amine unit include control of SO2
breakthrough from the hydrogenation/hydrolysis reactor and the Iean amine temperature.
Also, many of the problems common to tail gas amine unit operation can be avoided or
minimized by installation of equipment that will reduce the amount of contaminants entering
the system, by removal of contaminants that do get into the system, and by recovering
solvent which would otherwise be lost from the system. Due to higher amine cost per pound
of solution when using performance solvents, loss reduction becomes critical. Finally, the
overall pressure drop of the Claus SRU and tail gas treating system must be minimized to
avoid the need for a booster blower for the main gas stream. Some compromises, such as
the use of packing in the amine absorber where trays might be more desirable, become
attractive. Design features considered important by both Union Carbide Corporation and
The Ralph M. Parsons Company are reviewed in the remaining discussion.
Control of SO2 Breakthrough
The most common problem facing the tail gas amine system is the breakthrough of SO2
from the hydrogenation/hydrolysis reactor.
Sulfur dioxide reacts with any amine in the presence of H2S to form sulfate and thiosulfate
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anions. Side reactions can result in the formation of acetate and forinate anions. These
acidic anions form amine salts which are called heat-stable because they do not dissociate
at regenerator temperatures. A breakthrough of SO2 from the hydrogenation reactor,
resulting from an infrequent, major Claus SRU upset, will cause corrosion in downstream
equipment and severely contaminate the amine solution with heat-stable salts. The resulting
solution has less amine available for acid gas removal and can be corrosive at reboiler
temperatures, depending on the level of contamination and the metallurgy of the reboiler
tubes. Some heat-stable salts can promote foaming, which can result in off-specification
treated gas and high amine losses. It may be necessary to reclaim or discard the amine
following a large breakthrough of SO2.
Maintaining excess hydrogen in the catalytic hydrogenation/hydrolysis reactor will insure
complete reduction of all the sulfur compounds exiting the Claus SRU unit. A hydrogen
analyzer on the quench tower overhead stream can determine excess H2, and can be used
to adjust the flow of fuel gas to the reduction gas generator as well as to monitor and control
Claus SRU operation. Maintaining a separate alkaline desuperheating circuit provides a final
degree of safety. These measures should prevent the breakthrough of sulfur dioxide into the
amine contactor.
Lean Amine Temperature
At the very low pressures, on the order of 15.2-17.2 psia (105-119 kPa), encountered in a
tail gas treater the driving force for the acid gas/amine reaction is substantially reduced
relative to higher pressure applications. Low amine temperatures, in the range of 90-100F
(32-38C), have been successful in increasing the H2S pickup in these units. Theoretically,
there are no hydrocarbons in the tail gas exiting the quench tower. However, severe
foaming due to hydrocarbon contamination has been observed in this application when
impure refinery H2 is used for hydrogenation. Experience indicates that the lean amine
temperature should be maintained 5F higher than the inlet gas temperature to prevent
condensation of hydrocarbons that may be present in the gas.
The design and control of the upstream quench tower is very important because it
determines the gas temperature entering the amine contactor. In order to meet an off gas
specification of 10 ppmv H2S, the lean amine cannot exceed 100F (38C) when using
UCARSOL Solvent HS-103. The feed gas temperature should, therefore, be maintained at
or below 95F (35C) when there is any possibility of hydrocarbon contamination. When
Parsons' BSR technology is employed, the tail gas and lean amine can often be operated at
the same temperature, due to the lack of hydrocarbon contamination.
Amine Filtration
Particulate filtration is essential for maintaining good solution quality. Solids in the amine will
cause foaming, resulting in high amine loss. Also, equipment fouling and plugging due to
particulates can result in damage to pumps, exchanger, and tower intemals through erosion
and/or corrosion.
A variety of filter designs can be successfully employed. A cartridge filter located on the rich
amine stream is recommended, though in many designs lean amine is filtered to protect
workers from exposure to H2S when changing filter elements. When rich amine is filtered,
provisions should be made to displace the contents of the filter with fresh water before it is
opened. This is also desirable with lean side filters to minimize losses of amine. Filtration of
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the entire stream is desirable, although a 15 - 30% slip stream filter is acceptable for large
systems with high circulation rates.
An activated carbon bed or basket-type carbon filter removes surface-active contaminants
and impurities that promote foaming. A properly sized slip stream carbon filter will improve
the unit's overall reliability by reducing amine losses due to foaming. Carbon filters are
normally sized at 20 to 25% of the particulate filter flow rate. Most units place the carbon
bed downstream of the particulate filter to prolong the life of the carbon. When a granular
bed carbon filter is used, a post-filter or guard-filter is needed to catch carbon fines.
Sump and Tank Blanketing
All amine units should be provided with a closed drain and sump system. These drains
minimize losses of valuable chemicals and prevent amine contamination of sewers, run-off
water, and the ground around the unit. The sump should be fuel- or inert-gas purged and
vented to the thermal oxidizer to prevent H2S leakage or oxygen contamination of the
amine. Oxygen dissolved in the amine-water solution reacts with dissolved hydrogen sulfide
to form acidic heat-stable salts and elemental sulfur.
Surge and storage tanks at atmospheric pressure should also be blanketed with inert gas to
prevent oxygen contamination. These atmospheric tanks can normally be vented to the
atmosphere, since they contain only fresh or well-stripped amine solutions.
Abosorber Overhead Separation and Water Wash
Some form of treated gas separator is necessary between the amine absorber and the
thermal oxidizer to separate and contain any mist or foam entrainment from the absorber, or
heavy liquid carry-over resulting from absorber flooding. This separator is needed both to
protect the hot oxidizer refractory from liquids and to minimize solvent losses.
In addition, a simple water wash is desirable to recover amine vaporization losses and to
assist in entrainment removal. Although the vapor pressure of most amines is quite low at
absorber operating temperature, the high volume of gas being treated and the near
atmospheric absorber operating pressure contribute to vaporization losses that warrant
recovery.
Parsons generally provides a pump-around water wash with a co-current spray in the
absorber overhead piping. The absorber overhead knock-out drum acts as a separator and
surge drum for this system. A small, continuous water make-up is added to keep the amine
in the water at less than 0.5 to 1.0 weight percent. A water and recovered-amine slipstream
is bled from the wash water circulating pump discharge to the rich amine line exiting the
absorber.
Absorber Trays versus Packing
In general, a trayed absorber with multiple liquid feed points is preferred over a packed
absorber, when very high selectivity for H2S absorption is required.
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However as more equipment is added with the tail gas treating unit, the total pressure drop
through the Claus SRU and tail gas system increases to a point where SRU inlet pressure
becomes excessive. The options then are to add a tail gas blower 4 somewhere in the
system, or to look for ways of reducing pressure drop. Tail gas blowers are undesirable
since they are expensive and prone to a number of operating problems.
One way to reduce pressure drop is to use a packed absorber rather than a trayed
absorber. This reduces overall pressure drop by 1.0 to 1.5 psi (7 to 10 kPa) which is
normally enough to eliminate the need for a booster blower. Parsons has successfully used
packed absorbers in several units designed without blowers, with no significant loss in H2S
absorption selectivity.
Regenerator Condenser System
Most amine regenerators use air or water coolers to cool the acid gas and condense water
from the column overhead vapor upstream of a reflux accumulator. Parsons generally
prefers using a circulating water contact condenser. With the contact condenser, cooled
water is countercurrently contacted with the hot, water-saturated gas over trays or a small
packed bed on top of the regenerator. The heated water is recirculated through a cooler to
the top of the condenser selection, while net condensate drains back to the regenerator.
The contact condenser has three main advantages over the conventional system. First, the
total pressure drop with the contact condenser is 1.5 to 2.0 psi (10 to 14 kPa), less than with
a conventional condenser. This allows a higher acid gas delivery pressure or, at constant
delivery pressure, a 2 to 3F (1 to 2C) lower reboiler temperature. The second advantage
comes when air coolers are used in cold climates. The potential for cooler plugging and
damage due to freezing is substantially less with a contact condenser versus a conventional
overhead condensing system where a small amount of water is condensed from a large gas
stream. Finally, the cooler in the direct contact condensing system is less subject to
corrosion and fouling. Hot and wet acid gases are corrosive, and fouling is promoted by the
low gas velocity needed to minimize pressure drop in conventional condensers.
Summary
BSR/MDEA tail gas systems significantly Improve sulfur recovery efficiencies for Claus
SRU'S. One performance solvent based on MDEA, UCARSOL Solvent HS-103, has been
successful in reducing hydrogen sulfide emissions from tail gas treaters to levels below 10
parts per million by volume. At this H2S level, continuous incineration of vent gases is not
required and considerable fuel gas savings can be realized. When proper consideration is
given to the total Claus SRU and tail gas treating unit design, a facility can be built that will
operate smoothly and trouble-free. Conversion of existing tail gas treating systems to utilize
new and improved technology can also result in more reliable operation, increased
capacities, and reduced operating costs.
Literature Cited
1. Selectox Process for Sulfur Recovery Offshore, Bertram, R.V., et. al., Proceedings of
the Gas Processors Association Sixty-Eight Annual Convention, March 1989
2. Process Screening and Selection for Refinery Acid Gas Removal Processing,. Gupta,
S.R., et.al., Energy Progress, 6:4, p.239-47, December, 1986.
3. Tertiary Ethanolamines More Economical for Removal of H2S and Carbon Dioxide,
Riesenfeld, F.D., et, al., Oil & Gas Journal , P. 61-65, September 29, 1986.
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