Claus plant capacity boosted by oxygenenrichment process

Journal Article · Mon Sep 30 04:00:00 EDT 1985 · Oil Gas J.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6403378

Goar, B G; Davis, R; Hegarty, W P; Kammiller, R

This paper discusses the economical expansion of Claus sulfur recovery units by using Claus Oxygen-based Process Expansion (COPE) technology. Two commercial COPE units, in operation at Conoco Inc.'s Lake Charles, La., refinery, have demonstrated an 85% increase in capacity by enriching the air supply to the process to 55% O2. The major feature of the COPE process is the hot gas blower which recycles vapor from the first condenser to the reaction furnace. The recycle stream acts as a coolant to moderate the reaction furnace temperature, effectively replacing nitrogen as a dilutent. A specially designed burner is used to mix the air, oxygen, acid gas, and recycle stream.

• Research Organization: Goar, Arrington and Associates Inc., Tyler, TX
• OSTI ID: 6403378
• Journal Information: Oil Gas J.; (United States), Journal Name: Oil Gas J.; (United States) Vol. 83:39; ISSN OIGJA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

02 PETROLEUM
020800* -- Petroleum-- Waste Management
500200 -- Environment
Atmospheric-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CLAUS PROCESS
DESULFURIZATION
EFFICIENCY
ELEMENTS
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
ENERGY SOURCES
ENRICHMENT
FOSSIL FUELS
FUELS
GASEOUS WASTES
INDUSTRIAL PLANTS
NONMETALS
OXYGEN
PETROLEUM
PETROLEUM REFINERIES
RECYCLING
SEPARATION EQUIPMENT
WASTES