Many refiners require additional Claus sulfur recovery unit (SRU) capacity to meeting today’s emission standards, but SRU expansion and additional construction can be costly. CB&I’s patented oxygen enhancement solutions offer refiners a way to optimize the capacity of existing or new Claus plants.

We specialize in providing effective sulfur control and removal solutions to the global refining industry. A true EPC company, we provide complete design-build services for Claus plant projects on a lump-sum, turnkey basis. We’ve designed and built almost 50 new Claus sulfur recovery units and revamped more than 50 SRUs for refineries around the globe. These projects include 30 units that utilize our patented oxygen enhancement technology.

Improving upon the Claus Process. Our oxygen enhancement technologies were developed for the thermal stage of the Claus Process. When applied to new SRUs or as retrofits, these enhancements can aid in processing difficult feedstreams, increase Claus plant capacity, and reduce operating costs while optimizing sulfur recovery. Our patented oxygen enhancement solutions include:

• Our patented Oxygen Injector™, which overcomes the problems associated with high equivalent oxygen levels by directly injecting oxygen into the combustion zone. The device’s patented cooling system virtually eliminates thermal degradation from radiant heat. The Injector can be installed directly into most ring type burners or can easily be modified for installation into conventional burners.
  
  
• Our Oxygen Enrichment technology, which utilizes an oxygen sparger to introduce a blended oxygen stream into the combustion airline leading to the SRU reaction furnace. This cost-effective solution can be implemented with the addition of oxygen supply equipment, a control skid, the oxygen sparger, and associated piping. Modifications to the existing burner are not required.

Both technologies utilize our patented OxyPac™ advanced modular control system, which regulates the plant’s transition into and out of the oxygen-enhanced mode of operation and reduces oxygen consumption. Claus Units utilizing these innovations reliably remove 95-97% of elemental sulfur from the gas stream. The feedstock can be sent directly to a tail gas treating unit for additional sulfur recovery.

Flexible construction options. We construct process units utilizing both modular and conventional “stick-built” construction. At the outset of every project, we evaluate the customer’s requirements to determine which option provides the best value.

Oftentimes, a customer’s needs will drive towards modular fabrication and construction. Fabricating components in-house may allow for more stringent quality control, shorter project schedules and reduced costs. Minimizing the fieldwork reduces potential weather delays and the impact of activities at our customer’s site. In addition, various aspects of the project—such as permitting, fabrication and shipping arrangements—can be accomplished concurrently, potentially compressing the project schedule.

We pioneered the concept of modular process unit construction. We can fabricate and assemble modular Claus units at our in-house facilities and ship the components virtually anywhere in the world for field installation. Contact: sulfur@CBI.com