Caustic stripper proposal to reduce gaseous emissions in the sulfur recovery at Cienfuegos Refinery S.A

Abstract

The selected technology for the sulfur recovery in the Cienfuegos oil`refinery does not achieve the quality parameters required for said process as it causes gaseous SO2 emissions outside the established regulatory framework. This situation will be aggravated by the inclusion of new process units that will increase said emissions. In this sense, the objective of this research is to propose a caustic stripper for the treatment of waste gases in the unit that allows compliance with the process parameters and reduces gaseous emissions. A bibliographic study is carried out on the waste gas treatment processes and the different technologies that are used. Based on this study, the main construction and operational aspects that wet strippers must have are analyzed. The design and operation parameters of the stripper are presented, as well as its constructive characteristics, laying the foundations for the evaluation. Then the evaluation methodology of the packed tower is presented, obtaining the simulation model using the ProMax® 2.0 Simulator, which allows defining its operating range, through sensitivity analysis. Finally, the technological improvement proposal is economically evaluated with the dynamic profitability indicators VAN, TIR and PRD. As a result, it is expected to reduce atmospheric emissions below 150 mg / Nm3 as SO2, reduce energy consumption in the sulfur unit and the exposure of the general population to gaseous emanations.