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01-05-2011

A paradox pacified

Yvonne Lucas, Shell Global Solutions International B.V., explains how new technologies empowered refineries to manage the sulphur paradox

On a global level, refiners will face significant challenges in the next few years. The immediate impact of the soaring global population will be a heightened demand for oil, particularly from emerging economies. The problem is aggravated by the diminishing availability of sweet crudes which means refiners are increasingly required to process sour crudes containing higher levels of sulphur.

The essence of the sulphur paradox lies in the stringent product specifications and emissions legislation, which dictate that less sulphur leave refineries both in the finished product and as harmful emissions. Processing heavier sour crudes makes meeting these specifications incredibly challenging for refiners. As a result, refineries are thus faced with the inevitable task of having to evolve their operations to accommodate the effects of this emerging sulphur paradox.

There is no single, universally applicable solution to this problem. Instead, refinery managers must adopt an approach tailored to the idiosyncrasies of their facility. Robust technological solutions and a future proof sulphur management strategy are essential in order for refineries to meet the challenges they will face over and beyond the next five years.

Yet there are technologies that can help refiners successfully execute their sulphur management strategies. One such aid is the Sulphur Technology Platform: a portfolio of technologies which aims to enable refiners to deal effectively with sulphur in all its forms, from sulphur in crude to sulphur in products, such as liquefied petroleum gas (LPG); residue; hydrogen sulphide (H2S); sulphur dioxide (SO2); mercaptans; and solid sulphur.

Its developer, Shell Global Solutions, then augments the technology by providing support to refineries throughout the project lifecycle. Through this combination, refineries are offered optimised technical solutions that can help them to meet product specifications by reducing the sulphur levels of their products, whether they be gasoline, diesel, LPG or fuel oil. The solutions also enable refiners to remove H2S, SO2, and CO2 from their off gases to meet emissions targets whilst processing opportunity crudes that represent an opportunity for additional revenue.

For more information, please visit our web site www.shell.com/home/content/globalsolutions/

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