Topsoe`s Wet gas Sulfuric Acid (WSA) process: An alternative technology for recovering refinery sulfur

Conference · Fri Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1995

OSTI ID:93379

Ward, J W ^[1]

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1. Haldor Topsoe, Inc., Houston, TX (United States)

The Topsoe Wet gas Sulfuric Acid (WSA) process is a catalytic process which produces concentrated sulfuric acid from refinery streams containing sulfur compounds such as H{sub 2}S (Claus plant feed), Claus plant tail gas, SO{sub 2} (FCC off-gas, power plants), and spent sulfuric acid (alkylation acid). The WSA process recovers up to 99.97% of the sulfur value in the stream as concentrated sulfuric acid (93--98.5 wt%). No solid waste products or waste water is produced and no chemicals are consumed in the process. The simple process layout provides low capital cost and attractive operating economy. Twenty four commercial WSA plants have been licensed. The WSA process is explained in detail and comparisons with alternative sulfur management technology are presented. Environmental regulations applying to SO{sub x} abatement and sulfuric acid production plants are explained in the context of WSA plant operation.

• OSTI ID: 93379
• Report Number(s): CONF-9503162--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

01 COAL, LIGNITE, AND PEAT
02 PETROLEUM
03 NATURAL GAS
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AIR POLLUTION CONTROL
COKING PLANTS
COMBUSTION
COMPILED DATA
ECONOMICS
FLOWSHEETS
FOSSIL-FUEL POWER PLANTS
HYDRATION
HYDROGEN SULFIDES
MATERIALS RECOVERY
NATURAL GAS PROCESSING PLANTS
OXIDATION
PETROLEUM REFINERIES
PRODUCTION
SULFUR DIOXIDE
SULFURIC ACID
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
VAPOR CONDENSATION