ExxonMobil and BASF Corporation Lead New Amine-based Solvent Demonstration

The companies are developing an amine-based solvent capable to achieve greater than 99.99% overall sulfur recovery, by which it will be possible to increase capacity and lower operating costs

  • October 22, 2018
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  • The solvent developed by ExxonMobil and BASF is able to achieve greater than 99.99% overall sulfur recovery
    The solvent developed by ExxonMobil and BASF is able to achieve greater than 99.99% overall sulfur recovery

ExxonMobil and BASF Corporation are collaborating to develop an amine-based solvent, able to decrease sulfur emissions. This gas treating solvent is the object of a full-scale commercial demonstration that the companies are conducting at Imperial Oil’s Sarnia Refinery. The aim is to elaborate a solution that meets stringent sulfur emissions standards with greater efficiency, and to provide immediate benefits to ExxonMobil facilities.

Increasing capacity and lowering operating costs

The innovative technology improves the selective removal of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and minimizes the co-absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) from gas streams. The highly selective properties of the solvent allow refiners and gas processors to increase capacity and lower operating costs in existing equipment. For new treating facilities, the usage of the technology will reduce the size of the equipment and the initial capital investments.

Technology capable to achieve greater than 99.99% overall sulfur recovery

When used in a tail gas treating unit in conjunction with a Claus sulfur recovery unit (SRU), this technology has the capability to achieve greater than 99.99% overall sulfur recovery and very low emissions to cope with future requirements. Pilot plant testing has demonstrated superior performance characteristics over methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) formulations and even improvements over FLEXSORB™ SE/ SE Plus solvents.