Modular Catalytic Desulfurization Units for Sour Gas Sweetening
Executive Summary
Technical Challenge
Breaking traditional scaling factors and developing methodologies and heuristics for effective process modularization
Potential Impact
If successful, the project will profoundly affect the US energy sector. It directly offers an economical means to sweeten sour gas resources, especially those at small scales or with high sulfur contents. Because the intensified desulfurization process enables significant cost reductions in CAPEX (77%), OPEX (97%) and waste generation (60-95%) compared to current SOA processes at similar scales, sour wells that have previously been capped or neglected due to their high sulfur contents or low production rates can be turned into valuable resources. This will directly benefit the US O&G industry; it may experience a new booming period due to this technology.
Resources
IntraMicron, Inc. has extensive experience in catalyst modification and manufacturing and process design and optimization. SourGas LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of IntraMicron and owns the pilot-scale unit being used for this effort. Zeton, Inc has experience in engineering design and construction for the proposed pilot desulfurization unit. Auburn University has expertise in catalyst evaluation, characterization, and poison tolerance investigations. Oregon State University is providing expertise in system modularity and large-scale manufacturing techniques.