SELECT Hg Ultra-purification of mercury from natural gas

Transcription

1 SELECT Hg Ultra-purification of mercury from natural gas

2 SELECT Hg: Ultra-purification of mercury from natural gas Mercury is a naturally occurring contaminant in some hydrocarbons. It is highly toxic representing a risk to health and the environment. It can also be a cause of serious equipment failure through liquid metal embrittlement (LME) or amalgam corrosion. Treatment using SELECT Hg provides a robust mercury removal solution, reducing toxicity and protecting plant and equipment. Our SELECT Hg products use proven mercury removal chemistry based on reactive metal sulfides. These individually formulated products react with elemental mercury to form Cinnabar. This versatile cost effective solution reduces mercury to extremely low levels and can be tailored to the operator s individual requirements or specific applications. SELECT Hg products react with elemental mercury to form a stable mercuric sulphide. The resulting spent product can be simply and safely handled through well established recycling routes within the metals recovery industry.

3 Protecting your operations through efficient mercury removal Features Reliable, predictable performance Operating flexibility Cost effective mercury removal Low pressure drop Ultra purification Simple vessel change-outs Straight forward disposal of spent media Benefits Protection of valuable downstream plant and equipment Protection of downstream processes Environmental compliance Reduced toxicity of gas Simple unmanned operation Technical support throughout operation Warranted performance in service M-I SWACO purification products are used in fixed bed processes which are simple, easy to operate and require minimal operator intervention. Product usage is dependent only on the amount of mercury that passes through the bed. This economically matches the need for removal with variations in system flow conditions and outlet specifications, regardless of the total volume or other common components of the process stream. The flexibility of the fixed bed process allows the system to adapt to variations in process conditions that may result from changes in operating requirements or tighter regulations, often without additional capital equipment or costly system retrofitting. Predictable pressure drops, long bedlife, easy and safe handling, and a simple reliable operation are a few of the features of the M-I SWACO fixed bed process. Our Product Range SELECT Hg 100 series for removal of mercury from natural gas. Mercury is removed by irreversible chemical reaction with a metal sulphide. The metal sulphide may be formed ex-situ or in-situ by the reaction between a mixed metal oxide and H 2 S, i.e. a desulphurization reaction. M x O y + H 2 S MS z + H 2 O Equation 1. Metal Oxide Reaction with H 2S MS x + Hg MS (x-1) HgS Equation 2. Metal Sulphide Reaction with Hg The most suitable product is selected dependent upon the process conditions and the operational parameters specified by the customer.

4 Tailored treatment solutions M-I SWACO has the resources and expertise to design purification treatment solutions to suit a wide range of customer requirements. Proprietary modeling software is used to deliver system designs that are reliable, effective, and fit for purpose. The most basic system design is a single vessel. This requires a temporary bypass or interruption to the gas flow when replacing spent media. A lead/lag configuration provides the greatest operating flexibility, and facilitates continuous operation by allowing replacement of the spent media online. A parallel design is generally used where pressure drop is a critical process parameter. M-I SWACO works with operators to ensure all requirements are fully understood and solutions optimized; the final configuration and design being determined by process conditions and system operating philosophy. Various options are available regarding media support within the vessel, and recommendations will be made on the most suitable arrangement. Irrespective of the vessel configuration, an inlet separator or coalescing filter should be placed upstream to remove free liquids from the gas stream. This is important as free liquids entering the bed will have an adverse impact on system performance. Schematic of a typical gas treatment vessel Gas In Top Hat Distributor 19mm Ceramic Balls 100mm Vessel ID 25% Sample Point 50% Sample Point Absorbent Bed Bed Height 75% Sample Point Foam Filter & +40 Mesh Screen Floating Mesh Support 6mm Ceramic Balls 19mm Ceramic Balls 50mm Ceramic Balls 100mm 100mm Gas Out Drain

5 Ensuring treatment performance Monitoring the performance of the purification process is straightforward. Computer modeling provides information on the predicted performance parameters, with flow and contaminant level determining the bed loading. Mercury levels in the outlet will rise gradually at the end of the bed life, providing an early indication of the need for replacement. This period of gradual increase creates a self- alarm system that can be incorporated into routine monitoring to allow planned and convenient replacement of the product. Additional monitoring options around the treatment system envelope include gas temperature and pressure differential measurement. These measurements are used to confirm anticipated design operating conditions and the impact of changes that may occur over time.

6 Delivering solutions around the globe Engineered technical solutions Engineering support is tailored to match operator needs, ranging from the simple provision of media to a fully engineered technical solution. M-I SWACO capability includes: Basic system design Media supply Detailed engineering Equipment design and fabrication Media loading, unloading and system commissioning support Spent media disposal M-I SWACO is also uniquely positioned to offer effective alternative solutions in existing fixed bed scavenger systems. Incumbent applications can be assessed and comparative performance outcomes provided for review. Change-outs and disposal It is recommended that change-outs are handled by catalyst handling specialists. Each system and operating environment is unique, and procedures will require some variation, based on the requirements of the operator. M-I SWACO personnel are available to support on-site activities as needed. We will provide assistance in determining the best option for the recycling/disposal of the spent media, using well established disposal routes.

7 Operator Focused Solutions Quality assurance and technical support M-I SWACO SELECT Hg production processes are ISO 9000 certified and all products are manufactured to stringent quality specifications. Custom software modeling provides predictability and enables the development of bestfit system design and operations for each site. We support the application through every step necessary to ensure a successful process with highly trained and experienced technical personnel. Global research network M-I SWACO has an active Research and Product Development program and a global network of specialist laboratories where fixed bed absorbent technology can be safely tested. A global network of technical centres is also available with facilities in Houston, Aberdeen, Stavanger, Dubai and Perth. These world class facilities ensure that our customers have immediate access to the latest state-of-the-art solutions for the effective removal of contaminants from gas and light liquid hydrocarbons. The right people for the job Customer service is a top priority at M-I SWACO, where products, systems and services are backed by a comprehensive support network focused on delivering fast, effective and safe on-site services. From support with media loading, to unloading and disposal of spent media to technical support onsite M-I SWACO delivers its expertise to customer s field locations around the world. Put SELECT Hg to work for you To find out more about SELECT Hg and other purification technologies available, contact your local M-I SWACO representative.

8 Technical Centers U.S.A Chesterfield Airport Road, Suite 215 Chesterfield, MO Toll-Free: Europe Aberdeen, UK Tel: Asia Pacific Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Tel: This information is supplied solely for informational purposes and M-I SWACO makes no guarantees or warranties, either expressed or implied, with respect to the accuracy and use of this data. All product warranties and guarantees shall be governed by the Standard Terms of Sale. Nothing in this document is legal advice or is a substitute for competent legal advice M-I L.L.C. All rights reserved. Mark of M-I L.L.C. PBR R1 (E) 750 Digital Print in U.S.A.