(145d) Mercury Removal in Ethylene Plants: An Update and a Case Study

Mercury Removal in Ethylene Plants:

An Update and a Case Study

Authors

Christian Barreau, Basell Polyolefines,
France

Jayant Gorawara, UOP LLC

Abstract:

Ethylene producers have faced the
challenge of feedstock contaminants for decades.  Mercury is
one of the contaminants often present in ethylene plant feeds, however, the level, as well as type of mercury present,
varies substantially in different hydrocarbon fractions and also in different
parts of the globe.  This paper will illustrate
how mercury removal can benefit the ethylene plant's safety, operability and
environmental performance. There are several options for, as well as potential
locations for mercury removal in an ethylene plant ? the benefits of each of
these options will be reviewed.  In
addition, this presentation will cover the requirements for new mercury furnace
emission regulations scheduled to go into Jan 2016 in the United States, and
how these compare with current regulations in Europe. 

This paper will also describe a
total mercury removal solution implemented in an ethylene plant in Berre,
France.  Installed in 2013, this system
is designed to remove mercury from both the cracked gas dryer feed and from the
C3 and heavier stream bypassing the demethanizer and feeding the depropanizer
directly.  Results from monitoring the
system's performance, and the analytical methods used, will also be described.