Naphtha, Sulphur Compounds

TSR(l) [Trace sulphur removal] A process for removing sulfur compounds from naphtha so that they will not poison catalytic reformers. A proprietary solid absorbent is used. Developed by the Union Oil Company of California and first commercialized in 1983 at the Unocal oil refinery in San Francisco. 

It is clear from the table that there is considerable variation between units not only in the quality of the deposit, but also the extent of the problems as far as satisfactory operation is concerned. In the same report Coggins provided some data on the composition of the deposits taken from naphtha vaporisers (see Table 11.5). The main constituents of the ash appeared to be iron, sulphur and lead together with many other inorganic elements and compounds including vanadium and sulphur. 

It will be seen that the majority of these compounds are prepared from a small range of raw materials. A glance at the flow charts above will show clearly that these substances are air, natural gas (or naphtha/coke), limestone, salt (from rocksalt or brine) sulphur and phosphate rock. The other main ingredients are water and heat. It is easy to see just how integrated the chemical industry can be. 

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