REFINERY GRADE HYDROGEN PEROXIDE ELIMINATES HAZARDOUS HYDROGEN SULFIDE GAS RELEASES DURING COKER UNIT OPERATIONS

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Project Scope

A gulf coast refinery was experiencing unacceptable hydrogen sulfide (H2S) releases into occupied work areas in the Coker unit during cutting & quenching operations. Refinery Coker units are used to process residual oil or ‘heavy ends’. A part of the coking process requires quenching the hot coke with water, resulting in latent hydrogen sulfide being transferred to the water stream and stripping into the vapor phase creating potential exposure risks to operations personnel. In order to protect worker s, hydrogen sulfides in the process water stream must be eliminated.

In late 2016, USP Technologies (USP), leaders in peroxygen-based technologies for industrial water and wastewater treatment applications, was contacted by the refinery in search of a viable solution for its H2S issues. USP recommended a full-service chemical treatment program which included 27% refinery grade hydrogen peroxide, chemical storage, a dosing equipment system, inventory analysis, logistics management, safety training and ongoing field and technical support.

Full-Service Hydrogen Peroxide Treatment Program

The refinery recycles coker quench water in a closed loop, where any chemical used for treatment cannot negatively impact the coking process. Under near neutral pH conditions, the theoretical weight ratio of H₂O₂:H₂S is 1:1, and proceeds according to the following reaction:

H₂O₂+ H₂S → S₀+ 2 H₂O

Since the products of the above reaction are water and inactive elemental sulfur, the chemistry does not negatively impact the batch coking process.