416
z. Spirit and M. Hraste
We can only assume that the observed reduction and redistribution of sulphur
within the adsorber bed did not lead to dramatic decrease in adsorption
efficiency, i.e. the mercury removal efficiency was not significantly affected. Even
at sulphur contents of 8% the theoretical capacity for mercury, assuming
formation of HgS, greatly exceeds the observed 21% Hg content. In the absence of
available comparative investigations and data, it is quite difficult to reach a final
conclusion. Nevertheless, the results and mentioned phenomenon lead us to the
following conclusions:
- Our experience indicates that sulphur-impregnated activated carbon can be
used for the purpose of natural gas mercury purification with excellent
results.
- There is a certain boundary concentration of sulphur that becomes impregnated and is introduced into activated carbon pores. Beyond this limit, an
increase of impregnate quantity becomes useless, since further addition of
sulphur does not result in increased efficiency.
- The adsorption and chemisorption process applied to remove mercury from
natural gas can be successfully controlled and optimized by correct
distribution of sulphur within the activated carbon pore system.
The objective of this publication is to share our experimental and research
results with the natural gas and petrochemical industry to help create
fundamentals for design, production and utilization of an optimal adsorbent.
Analysis of replaced/saturated activated carbon will provide a valuable and
essential technological basis to support important decisions related to management, security and protection of process plants and the reduction of the hazards
to our working and living environment caused by the presence of mercury in the
treated natural gas.
5
Conclusions
We have defined mercury loading and distribution, i.e. saturation profile in the
activated carbon bed, together with variation in concentration of elemental
sulphur through the bed under actual process conditions. The results clearly
indicate almost linear regularity of activated carbon mercury load distribution
profile across the depth of adsorber bed. Results also showed an unexpectedly
high mercury load, which was higher than suggested by adsorbent manufacturers
and indicated by literature data.
References
Barthel Y, Cameron C), Gracco F, Orieux A, Sarazin P (1993) Mercury Removal from Wet Natural Gas,
Gas Processors Association 10 th Continental Meeting, 2-4 June ·1993, Paris, France
z. Spirit and M. Hraste
We can only assume that the observed reduction and redistribution of sulphur
within the adsorber bed did not lead to dramatic decrease in adsorption
efficiency, i.e. the mercury removal efficiency was not significantly affected. Even
at sulphur contents of 8% the theoretical capacity for mercury, assuming
formation of HgS, greatly exceeds the observed 21% Hg content. In the absence of
available comparative investigations and data, it is quite difficult to reach a final
conclusion. Nevertheless, the results and mentioned phenomenon lead us to the
following conclusions:
- Our experience indicates that sulphur-impregnated activated carbon can be
used for the purpose of natural gas mercury purification with excellent
results.
- There is a certain boundary concentration of sulphur that becomes impregnated and is introduced into activated carbon pores. Beyond this limit, an
increase of impregnate quantity becomes useless, since further addition of
sulphur does not result in increased efficiency.
- The adsorption and chemisorption process applied to remove mercury from
natural gas can be successfully controlled and optimized by correct
distribution of sulphur within the activated carbon pore system.
The objective of this publication is to share our experimental and research
results with the natural gas and petrochemical industry to help create
fundamentals for design, production and utilization of an optimal adsorbent.
Analysis of replaced/saturated activated carbon will provide a valuable and
essential technological basis to support important decisions related to management, security and protection of process plants and the reduction of the hazards
to our working and living environment caused by the presence of mercury in the
treated natural gas.
5
Conclusions
We have defined mercury loading and distribution, i.e. saturation profile in the
activated carbon bed, together with variation in concentration of elemental
sulphur through the bed under actual process conditions. The results clearly
indicate almost linear regularity of activated carbon mercury load distribution
profile across the depth of adsorber bed. Results also showed an unexpectedly
high mercury load, which was higher than suggested by adsorbent manufacturers
and indicated by literature data.
References
Barthel Y, Cameron C), Gracco F, Orieux A, Sarazin P (1993) Mercury Removal from Wet Natural Gas,
Gas Processors Association 10 th Continental Meeting, 2-4 June ·1993, Paris, France