Q & A > Question Details
Would using a molecular sieve be the best bet for removal of chloride salt contaminants of refinery fuel gas? We are consistently plugging fuel gas valves, strainers, and burners causing reliability issues with our fired heaters.
 
Answers
05/08/2013 A: Berthold Otzisk, Kurita Europe GmbH, Berthold.Otzisk@kurita-water.com
Ammonium salt formation is a well-known problem in refinery fuel gas systems. Physical adsorption processes (i.e. chloride guard bed, molecular sieve) generally can help to decrease the salt fouling potential. But small traces of unsaturated hydrocarbons may react with HCl to form organic chlorides. It is possible that these organic chlorides are removed from the bed into the product stream. A very powerful alternative is Kurita´s ACF Technology. This is a unique new technology to neutralize HCl and eliminate ammonium salt formation. The additives used for this technology are chemical liquid formulations of a very strong organic base. They directly react with ammonium salts, which are converted into non-corrosive and non-depositing components. Please see the PTQ article “Ammonium salt removal in fuel gas burners”, which was published in 2007, Q4.