skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: A new, safer method of sulfur degassing

Abstract

The Exxon system for degassing liquid sulfur is presented, and it can reduce total H2S in liquid sulfur to levels as low as 10-15 wppm under the commercial conditions tested. Because Exxon found commercially available mechanical degassing systems to be inadequate, the Claus plant initiated an RandD program to develop the new degassing process. Hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen polysulfide are inherent to the Claus process. The major concerns associated with this H2S in the Claus liquid sulfur include: toxic levels of H2S are possible while loading/unloading liquid sulfur; the H2S lower explosive limit in air can be exceeded in unvented pit/tank vapor space; nuisance odors/environmental concerns; and potential government regulations/ customer restrictions. Results are presented in this article of successful commercial tests using the process at five sites.

Authors:
; ; ;
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Exxon Research and Engineering Co., Florham Park, N.J.
OSTI Identifier:
6305213
Resource Type:
Journal Article
Journal Name:
Chem. Eng. Prog.; (United States)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 81:10
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; HYDROGEN SULFIDES; REMOVAL; SULFUR COMPOUNDS; DEGASSING; DESULFURIZATION; CLAUS PROCESS; COMBUSTION PROPERTIES; COMMERCIALIZATION; ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS; LIQUIDS; PERFORMANCE TESTING; QUALITY ASSURANCE; RESEARCH PROGRAMS; SAFETY STANDARDS; SEPARATION EQUIPMENT; CHALCOGENIDES; CHEMICAL REACTIONS; FLUIDS; HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS; STANDARDS; SULFIDES; TESTING; 320305* - Energy Conservation, Consumption, & Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Industrial Waste Management; 500200 - Environment, Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)

Citation Formats

Schico, C M, Clem, K R, Hartley, D, and Watson, E A. A new, safer method of sulfur degassing. United States: N. p., 1985. Web.
Schico, C M, Clem, K R, Hartley, D, & Watson, E A. A new, safer method of sulfur degassing. United States.
Schico, C M, Clem, K R, Hartley, D, and Watson, E A. 1985. "A new, safer method of sulfur degassing". United States.
@article{osti_6305213,
title = {A new, safer method of sulfur degassing},
author = {Schico, C M and Clem, K R and Hartley, D and Watson, E A},
abstractNote = {The Exxon system for degassing liquid sulfur is presented, and it can reduce total H2S in liquid sulfur to levels as low as 10-15 wppm under the commercial conditions tested. Because Exxon found commercially available mechanical degassing systems to be inadequate, the Claus plant initiated an RandD program to develop the new degassing process. Hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen polysulfide are inherent to the Claus process. The major concerns associated with this H2S in the Claus liquid sulfur include: toxic levels of H2S are possible while loading/unloading liquid sulfur; the H2S lower explosive limit in air can be exceeded in unvented pit/tank vapor space; nuisance odors/environmental concerns; and potential government regulations/ customer restrictions. Results are presented in this article of successful commercial tests using the process at five sites.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/6305213}, journal = {Chem. Eng. Prog.; (United States)},
number = ,
volume = 81:10,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1985},
month = {Tue Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1985}
}