MERCURY CONTROL
DURING NATURAL GAS PROCESSING
SHEQ problems and solutions
Zdravko Špirić
INA-Naftaplin, Zagreb, Croatia
e-mail: [email protected]
Boston, May 2, 2002.
INA-Naftaplin implemented a comprehensive
technical approach to the control of mercury
at Gas treatment processing plant (GTP) Molve.
The program includes both fully effective technologies
for mercury removal from natural gas and the accurate
measurement of mercury in the processes and
environment within and surrounding the plant.
IJS (Slovenia)
GKSS – Galab (Germany)
ERI (Sweden)
St.Petersburg Univ. (FSU)
THERE’S NEED FOR:
 High-quality, useful and reliable equipment and accurate methods for liquid
hydrocarbon samples collection pre-treatment, preservation, storage.
 Simple, accurate and reliable test methods and instruments for on-line identification
and precise (quantitative plus quantitative) determination of the mercury content in
process streams
and safe
in the surrounding
atmosphere.environmental and
Efficient
and
technological,
commercial
procedures
tocalibration
reducestandards
mercury
emissions
 CA & CQ protocols
and procedures,
and certified
reference
materials.
(mercury detection, measurements, removal,
recycling,
storage
and handling).
 Efficient and
safe technological,
environmental
and commercial procedures to
reduce mercury emissions (mercury removal, recycling, storage and handling).
 A program for investigation and evaluation of contaminated regions and their
decontamination.
This approach is critical to our understanding,
 Human
health
effects
(mercury exposure
and healthprocesses,
impacts, toxicology,
risk
control
and
optimization
of existing
but also
assessment).
to planning strategies and decision making for
further
operations
in equipment
the petroleum
industry.
 Technological
process,
materials and
resistant to
aggressive (corrosive)
impact of mercury.
GTP Molve III – block sheme
WASTE
"ECOLOGICAL" paradox
concentration limits, - the allowable content in process plants amount
to max. of 0.01 g/m3 (due to corrosion danger).
This is 5000 times more stringent than the maximum allowable limit
for the working environment (50 g/m3).
Our current interest is :
1) the determination of Hg in liquid hydrocarbons
(condensate - - crude oil) and its subsequent removal
2) mercury contaminated adsorbent (sulfur impregnated
activated carbon) treatment/disposal
3) EHSQ mercury problems
We would like:
to discus our experience and needs
To promote and establish further cooperation