Refining Processes Handbook - 2020 - 357

2020 REFINING PROCESSES HANDBOOK
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Shell CANSOLV SO2 scrubbing for flue gas treatment (cont.)
In the CANSOLV process, regeneration steam (low-pressure) is generally the
largest consumable. Low-pressure steam consumption can be significantly reduced by
using internal heat recovery lineups, such as mechanical vapor recompression systems
and external waste heat recovery systems.
In addition to reducing emissions, this process can debottleneck an existing sulfur
recovery unit by reducing dependence on the thermal oxidation of hydrogen sulfide,
thereby achieving higher sulfur recovery efficiency or decoupling sulfuric acid plant
emissions from an upstream feed source. In lineups for treating contaminated sour
natural gas, the process helps to achieve high sulfur recovery efficiency while enabling
simplification of the lineup and reducing capital and operating costs.

Development/delivery: The Shell CANSOLV process was developed in the mid-1990s,
primarily aimed at treating SO2 from coal-fired power plants and any other SO2-bearing
flue gas. The first applications started in 2002 on the Claus process and acid plant tail gas.
Installations: Over the past 19 yr, more than 40 Shell CANSOLV SO2 units have been
licensed, with eight now in the design/construction/commissioning phase. The process
has been applied in refineries, gas plants, metallurgical plants, fertilizer plants and power
stations, and has been treating flue gases in the range of 2,000 Nm3/hr-5.2 MMNm3/hr.
It has been used across the world to produce sulfuric acid, liquefied SO2 or increase
sulfur plant processing capacity, while ensuring environmental compliance.
In Canada, the SaskPower Boundary Dam Unit 3 system includes both SO2 and
CO2 capture, and is the first full-scale, post-combustion carbon capture system in the
world. It has been in operation since 2013 and delivers CO2 for enhanced oil recovery at
a rate approaching 1 MMtpy.

References:
1. Lebel, M. and M. Jacques, "Regenerable tail gas treatment," PTQ, Q4 2016,
and SOGAT 2016, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 2016.
2. Wang, L. F. and M. Lebel, "SO2 emissions control in China," Sulphur Magazine,
September 2016.
3. Kohlbrugge, A., "Controlling emissions during SRU startups," Sulphur
Magazine, July 2013.
4. Gelder, J., "Cleaning up high-sulfur residue: Technology for helping refiners
to minimize SO2 emissions," Impact, Iss. 2, 2013.
5. Lebel, M., J. Gelder, N. Moreton, A. Slavens, B. DeWeed, B. Murphy, R. So and
S. Pollitt, "Something for nothing: How Middle Eastern SRUs can benefit from
increasing SOx emissions stringency," SOGAT 2013, Abu Dhabi, UAE, 2013.
6. Anghel, A., "Setting new standards: How PDO achieved ultra-deep sulfur
recovery on its highly sour oil and gas development mega-project,"
Impact, Iss. 3, 2012.
7. Charest, S., "Controlling sulfur in China's power sector: Major coal-fired power
plant adapts CANSOLV's technology to control SO2 emissions and minimize
landfill requirements," Impact, Iss. 2, 2012.
Licensor: Shell Catalysts & Technologies
Website: www.shell.com/gasprocessing
Contact: gasprocessing@shell.com

http://www.hydrocarbonprocessing.com/ http://www.shell.com/gasprocessing

Refining Processes Handbook - 2020

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