What is the maximum allowable level of hydrocarbons in the gases used for sulfuric acid production?
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What is the maximum allowable level of hydrocarbons in the gases used for sulfuric acid production?
The hydrocarbon content in the gas used for sulfuric acid production shall not exceed 3%
The value specified in the design is usually 2% (V); in practice, I think 4% (V) is also acceptable. However, if the hydrocarbon content in the acidic gas varies frequently, say within a range of 2-4%, then it becomes a problem – the quality of liquid sulfur will be affected. If the level remains around 4% (V), it’s still tolerable, but this will result in an increased air volume required by the facility as well as a higher furnace temperature. In other words, this indirectly reduces the processing capacity of the facility, and it also places greater stress on the furnace lining.
Reply to 1# Song Han: The general requirement is that it should be no more than 2%; if a large amount of hydrocarbons are present in the acidic gas from the desulfurization unit, this will lead to incomplete combustion of the acidic gas, resulting in the formation of black sulfur
The design requirement is generally no more than 2%, but in practice the level is much higher; after all, there are many factors that affect the hydrocarbon content, such as the operating efficiency of upstream units and the quality of the feed oil.
The hydrocarbon content in the feed gas is required to be no more than 2%, and the ammonia content is required to be no more than 3%. When the quality of acidic gases does not meet the above requirements, it will cause a series of problems in the equipment ； The presence of hydrocarbons in the feedstock (especially heavy hydrocarbons), or improper control of the air-fuel ratio required for combustion during the preheating process with fuel gas when the plant is started up or shut down, can cause the catalyst to become temporarily inactive due to carbon deposition.
The design generally aims to keep the hydrocarbon content at ≤5%.
In our workshop, it’s no more than 4%, which makes it easy to operate and ensures stable performance
In our company, it’s not more than 3; sometimes it reaches 5 as well, but that doesn’t have much of an impact
Generally, the hydrocarbon content does not exceed 3%