Abstract

In Sulfur Recovery Units (SRU), the piping transporting various gas streams to the incinerator can experience severe corrosion and plugging due to condensation of sulfur, water and/or sulfuric acid. Case histories of these problems have occurred even in lines with properly-designed steam tracing systems. This paper will discuss the impacts of different feed gas combinations on the risk of plugging and corrosion in steam traced areas and refractory-lined sections; recommendations for design details of the piping systems; vertical vs. horizontal incinerator inlets and the locations of possible corrosion. A key lesson learned was that to avoid corrosion, unit operators need a good understanding of which gas streams can and cannot be combined. Avoiding corrosion is even more critical in today’s ultra-large units which can have gas lines as large as NPS 84 diameter, as the economic impacts of down time and maintenance costs are significantly amplified.

Subject
Acids, Pits, Sulfur, Water, Piping, Degassing, Valves, Condensation, Vapors, Incinerators, Risk management, Dew point, Steam
Keywords:
Sulfur Recovery Unit, Tail Gas Treating Unit, Incinerator, sulfuric acid, acid dew point, steam tracing
© 2016 Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP). All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of AMPP. Positions and opinions advanced in this work are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of AMPP. Responsibility for the content of the work lies solely with the author(s).
2016
Association for Materials Protection and Performance (AMPP)
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