Modular Catalytic Desulfurization Units for Sour Gas Sweetening

Executive Summary

This project focuses on overcoming manufacturing and supply chain issues associated with a much needed modular technology solution in the gas processing sector. The team will look to take an existing technology for sour gas cleanup (processing scale on order of 1 T/day sulfur or 1 MMSCFD gas processed) and look to improve benefit vs. cost through pilot testing to improve performance and manufacturing design/analysis to determine highest leverage cost reduction steps. The resulting technology will be piloted in a field test to confirm economic assessments.

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.

Investigator
Date Approved
Project Number
-
Initial TRL Level
-
Current TRL level
5
Project Funding
3,200,000
Focus Areas
Partner Organizations

IntraMicron

Engineering Technology Development and Manufacturing