ExxonMobil and BASF join hands to demonstrate new amine-based gas treating solve

ExxonMobil Catalysts and Licensing LLC and BASF Corporation are conducting a full-scale commercial demonstration of a new gas treating solvent at Imperial Oil’s Sarnia Refinery in Canada. The companies jointly developed the new amine-based solvent aimed at meeting stringent sulphur emissions standards with greater efficiency, further raising the bar for tail gas treating and acid gas removal processes.

The innovative technology improves the selective removal of hydrogen sulphide (H2S) and minimises the co-absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2) from gas streams. The highly selective properties of the solvent allow refiners and gas processors to increase capacity and lower operating costs in existing equipment. For new treating facilities, the usage of the technology will reduce the size of the equipment and the initial capital investments.

When used in a tail gas treating unit in conjunction with a Claus sulphur recovery unit (SRU), the new technology has the capability to achieve greater than 99.99% overall sulphur recovery and very low emissions to cope with future requirements. Pilot plant testing has demonstrated superior performance characteristics over methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) formulations. “Thoroughly tested at BASF’s dedicated pilot plant in Ludwigshafen, Germany, the solvent showed improved H2S selectivity and lower energy consumption than other selective solvents,” said Mr. Andreas Northemann, Vice President of BASF Gas Treatment.