(16a) Adsorbents for Trace Sulfur Removal for Gas Processing

Honeywell UOP provides a full range of solutions for natural gas conditioning including the use of adsorbents for trace contaminant removal. Trace contaminants in natural gas can cause a range of issues including corrosion, environmental challenges, and the inability to meet product specifications. Sulfur compounds are one of the noteworthy contaminants present in natural gas. A variety of sulfur compounds are pervasive in natural gas and natural gas liquids including hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide, mercaptans, organic sulfides and disulfides. A range of process options are needed to meet product sulfur specifications since no single solution will work for removal of all of the sulfur compounds in the wide range of contaminant concentrations and hydrocarbon compositions found in natural gas globally. In order to meet these needs, UOP has developed a range of processing options, including use of membranes, solvents, and adsorbents to produce natural gas to meet product quality specifications for saleable natural gas and natural gas liquid products.

Discussion will focus on processing options for removal of trace sulfur compounds from natural gas and natural gas liquids. Regenerable and non-regenerable adsorbent alternatives are capable of achieving tight specifications cost effectively. Regenerable molecluar sieve adsorbents are particularly effective for mercaptan removal even when present at hundreds of ppm in some regions of the world. UOP’s improved adsorbent design configurations can mitigate contaminant spikes upon thermal regeneration. Non-regenerative approaches to trace H₂S and mercaptan removal can allow meeting copper strip specifications for natural gas liquids.