NaHS verses Elemental Sulfur production for H2S scrubbing
NaHS verses Elemental Sulfur production for H2S scrubbing
(OP)
Why do some oil refineries produce NaHS using caustic soda (NAOH) and others produce elemental sulfur when removing H2S from their stacks?
I am also trying to understand if there is a relationship between NaOH and NaHS pricing wise. I hear that NaHS is usually sold to a 3rd party in return for decent pricing of NaOH but I cannot get a confirmation of this.
Can anyone help me with these questions?
Thanks.
I am also trying to understand if there is a relationship between NaOH and NaHS pricing wise. I hear that NaHS is usually sold to a 3rd party in return for decent pricing of NaOH but I cannot get a confirmation of this.
Can anyone help me with these questions?
Thanks.





RE: NaHS verses Elemental Sulfur production for H2S scrubbing
It is not a matter of some refineries producing spent caustic (containing NaHS and/or Na2S) and other refineries producing elemental sulfur from the H2S removed from their various gas streams. Most refineries do both.
Almost all refineries remove H2S from their various byproduct gases before they subsequently burn those gases as fuel within the refinery. They then convert the H2S to elemental sulfur. In fact, most of the 64,000,000 metric tons of sulfur produced worldwide in 2005 was produced by converting H2S to sulfur in refineries, raw natural gas processing plants and other hydrocarbon processing plants.
Also, many (if not most) refineries use an aqueous solution of NaOH (caustic) to scrub certain liquid process streams (like kerosene, jet fuel, and LPG) to remove H2S. The resultant spent caustic has a very, very limited market. The ultimate disposal of spent caustic is a quite a problem for many refineries.
Milton Beychok
(Visit me at www.air-dispersion.com)
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RE: NaHS verses Elemental Sulfur production for H2S scrubbing
You are right thought, my production numbers for NaHS in NA are 120,000 tonnes (.2% world S production). Does you have numbers on sulphur produced in North America by chance or know where to get them?
RE: NaHS verses Elemental Sulfur production for H2S scrubbing
RE: NaHS verses Elemental Sulfur production for H2S scrubbing
RE: NaHS verses Elemental Sulfur production for H2S scrubbing
RE: NaHS verses Elemental Sulfur production for H2S scrubbing
metgal47:
Regarding the last two questions of yours above, you also initiated two other separate threads asking the same questions. That is not the way to use this forum. Ask you questions only once and respond to the answers in the same thread. As matters now stand, you have initiated three threads all devoted to the same subject. You must not do that!
I have answered each of two other threads you initiated. Don't initiate any more threads on this same subject about NaHS!
Milton Beychok
(Visit me at www.air-dispersion.com)
.
RE: NaHS verses Elemental Sulfur production for H2S scrubbing
Try Merrichem Copany. They will be interested to answer you. Google for Merrichem.
Best wishes
RE: NaHS verses Elemental Sulfur production for H2S scrubbing
The reason I initiated a second thread was because at other forums I have used, once people have answered the initial question, they do not continue to follow the thread. No one was responding to my other two questions so I initiated a new thread. I was not trying to be a pain. I just wanted polite answers to my questions which you did with my initial request. I do not think the way you just responded was appropriate. I don't have a chemical engineering background and I was only seeking knowledge which I thought this web-site could help me obtain.
RE: NaHS verses Elemental Sulfur production for H2S scrubbing
metgal47:
Whenever a new posting is made to any existing thread, it is indicated as such by a green star being posted next to the listing of that thread. Therefore, people do follow threads after the initial answers. If you would just look, you will see that some of the threads have had many, many responses.
This forum frowns upon repeating questions in more than one thread. Instructing you on that point was quite appropriate. I think you will notice that I provided answers in all three of the threads you started on NaHS. If my instructing you on the proper way to use this forum was offensive to you, then so be it.
Milton Beychok
(Visit me at www.air-dispersion.com)
.
RE: NaHS verses Elemental Sulfur production for H2S scrubbing
RE: NaHS verses Elemental Sulfur production for H2S scrubbing
Thanks for the information. If a company could make high purity NaHS without the ammonia, CO2 organics, do you think they could give TDC a run for their money? (i.e put them out of business?) Or do you think, there will always be a place for TDC to get cheap NaHS and sell if for a big profit? Do you know if TDC makes a large profit on selling NaHS or are their margins pretty small? I've tried talking with people at TDC but to no avail.
Thanks.