PTQ Q2 2024 Issue

O-gas to incinerator

Fuel gas or nitrogen

Oil

Acid

Brine

Acid

Acid oils to renery

Steam or electric heater

CWS

Spent caustic

Neutralised caustic

Process water

Figure 3 Mericon spent caustic n eutralisation system featuring adjustable PH technology

Incineration Incineration is another treatment method that can dispose of all spent caustic impurities, including the most heat- resistant compounds, such as amines. For these impurities, only an exceedingly high flame temperature can catalyse the oxidation. Fuel requirements for incineration are high, resulting in high operating costs to maintain the flame as atomised caustic is injected. Incineration is waste- and facility-specific and can be problematic when treating high total dissolved solids content. Sustainable management option: Beneficial reuse In its 2010 Petroleum Refining Operations Best Practice Series, Ipieca, the global oil and gas association for environ - mental and social issues, recommended companies explore the possibility of spent caustic being sold to an adjacent industry. In 2010, the Council of Australian Governments endorsed a 10-year policy to produce less waste for dis- posal, and manage waste as a resource to deliver economic, environmental, and social benefits. The National Waste Policy included reuse. Beneficial reuse, which is defined by the EPA as reusing a waste material that would otherwise be discarded in a manner that makes it a valuable commodity, had already been in practice for refineries when those reports were made public. When spent materials are beneficially reused without reclamation, they become exempt from solid-waste require - ments and are categorised as a product under US EPA reg - ulations. Facilities can reuse byproducts or waste materials in their own operations or send them elsewhere for reuse as a fuel or substitute raw material in place of feedstock. The lifecycle of the caustic is extended and creates an asset from what may otherwise be perceived as a liability. Beneficial reuse fits within the Guiding Principles of the

American Chemistry Council’s Responsible Care initiative and reduces the need to harvest new raw materials, saves energy, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions that con- tribute to global climate change. Conclusion More than 80% of the global sulphur supply is extracted from fossil fuels as waste. In the 1970s and 1980s, it became clear that sulphur caused environmental and health issues. Sulphur regulations were enacted, creating require- ments for oil and gas companies to measure and reduce sulphur content. Fortunately, oil and gas producers seized the opportunity to address emissions through a series of ready-to-implement and cost-effective sulphur reduction technologies and techniques. As the world races to meet net zero goals, the oil industry is embracing the complexities of managing climate change strategies and ESG (environmental, social, and governance) performance while bridging the trust gap between indus - try and society. The demand for adaptable sulphur recovery solutions will increase. The effective implementation of sustainable practices aligned with corporate policies and processes will ensure the integration of best practices for safely treating and managing spent caustics. It is a clean demonstration of the industry’s commitment to health, safety, the environment, and social responsibility. Richard G Stambaugh is Technology Manager – Liquid Treating at Merichem Technologies, USA. He is responsible for integrating new technologies into Merichem’s portfolio and improving existing technol- ogies. He acts as liaison between sales, technical services, and process engineering groups and helps cross-train other engineers. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Texas Tech University and an Associate degree in chemistry from Amarillo College.

PTQ Q2 2024