"OIL AND GAS PROCESSING PLANT DESIGN 2002

AND OPERATION TRAINING COURSE"

Page 39
DGEP/SCR/ED/ECP "GAS SWEETENING PROCESSES"

This fixed bed chemical absorption (chemical adsorption expression could perhaps be more
appropriate) is a non-regenerative system using a metal oxide like zinc oxide. The bed is
accommodated in a vessel. When the bed is saturated with sulfur, the vessel is unloaded and
refilled with a fresh load of absorbent. The main drawback of this process is the disposal of the
sulfur impregnated absorbent load once removed from the vessel. Processes based on this
principle are all patented processes.

Modern fixed bed process is likely to be most attractive if the weight of sulfur to be removed is less
than about 200 kg/day. Processes based on this principle are all patented processes.

Among them, one with industrial references is the PURASPEC process from ICI Katalco.

For H2S removal, PURASPEC process works on a chemical reaction :

H2S + Metal Oxide Metal Sulfur + H2O

For COS removal, PURASPEC process works on a chemical reaction :

COS + Metal Oxide Metal Sulfur + CO2

PURASPEC first used pure ZnO but in 1995 it was changed to a mixture (Cu/Zn) oxide.
Table 2.8.1 shows a list of existing facilities using this process.

Table 2.8.1. PURASPEC units

H2S Content (ppm V)

Company Location Feed Gas Treated Gas

AMOCO/North West HUTTON (1) Off Shore 10 3.3

AMERADA HESS/SCOTT (2) Off Shore 11 2
BRITISH GAS/BARROW (3) On Shore 5 2.75
(1) 73000 Nm3/h
(2) 139000 Nm3/h peak
(3) 1.57 MNm3/d peak

Iron sponge is another metal oxyde process used for low flowrate and low H2S content. It is based
on the reduced of iron oxides to form ferric sulfur. Connely GPM inc (California) and Whessoe
Varec at Durham (UK) can propose iron sponge processes.

Remark: For 10t/day and above sulfur production, the combination (amine+CLAUS) is generally
the selected solution. For less sulfur, the liquid Redox (Sulferox, Lo-Cat) process is the choice. For
small quantities of sulfur to be removed (less than 200 kg/day) the process based on fixed bed
absorbents is well suited.

Excerpt from PRODEM