Analytical Instruments for Desulphurization of Petroleum and Petroleum Products

In crude oil or natural gas, sulfur (in compounds) causes, among other things, a faster corrosion of pipes, and in combustion gases sulfur is usually found in the form of sulfur oxides, which cause, among other things, acid rain.

The cracking process is used to remove unwanted sulfur-containing compounds from petroleum and petroleum products. Desulphurization of petroleum and petroleum products often takes place in two process steps: in a hydrodesulfurization process (hydrocracking) sulfur is removed from the hydrocarbons with the formation of hydrogen sulphide and with the aid of a catalyst (often zeolite). Elemental sulfur is then recovered from the hydrogen sulfide via the Claus process.

Important here are, among other things, measuring the gas composition as well as the oxygen-enriched air.

Measuring the gas composition during desulphurization of petroleum and petroleum products

The content of hydrogen sulfide and the amounts of other combustible gases (such as hydrocarbons and ammonia) determine how the combustion is carried out. If Claus gas contains ammonia (used to remove acid gas from waste streams) or hydrocarbons, more oxygen gas is required. How much oxygen is added depends on the composition of the gas used. It is therefore important to measure the composition of the gas. This is often possible with a gas chromatograph (GC). But when the composition is completely unknown, it is measured in a lab with a mass spectrometer.

Measuring oxygen-enriched air in the Claus process

A robust and reliable oxygen analyzer controls the oxygen content in the combustion air after the O2 injection. Thanks to the supply of oxygen-enriched combustion air, less energy is consumed and less hydrogen is needed. The zirconium oxide technique is most commonly used here, because of the high temperatures at which this process often takes place.

In order for the reaction to proceed in a controlled manner, it is often necessary to burn the different types of gases separately. Sometimes it is necessary to reduce the total amount of gas or use a higher combustion temperature by using pure oxygen instead of air in the combustion reaction.

Would you like more information about analytical instruments for desulphurization of petroleum and petroleum products?

For advice please contact our Product Manager John Heidenreich

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Desulphurisation of petroleum and petroleum products

Inventech is the specialist for far-reaching desulphurisation of petroleum and petroleum products. Supplier of advanced analysis instruments.