Sulfur Recovery Unit Liners: The Importance of Quality Materials

Sulfur is present in a great number of raw industrial gases, including natural gas. Using a sulfur recovery system during the processing of natural gas and refining of high-sulfur crude oil allows us to capture the hydrogen sulfide byproduct that poses a genuine threat to our environment. The demands on modern Sulfur Recovery Units (SRUs) are much more severe than in times past due to stricter emission limits, swing operations, and higher operating temperatures. If your SRU is designed with older materials, it may be time to consider a new liner installation.

Materials and design approaches used in decades past often result in unreliable performance and even expensive maintenance and upkeep requirements. A number of elements can create complex issues with SRUs, including the size of the unit, the operating temperature, swings, and even high & low temperature corrosion points. Plant managers that wish to optimize refractory reliability and performance of their Sulfur Recovery Unit should consider the installation of a new lining system.

The expert crew of rope access techs and engineers at Industrial Access can design and install a custom lining solution to meet the specific conditions and environment of your SRU. Choosing quality materials that meet the guidelines and requirements for your operating temperature, swing operations, and output is imperative to reliability and life cycle cost. Proper installation by experienced technicians will also offer a streamlined approach to ensure your project is completed on time, within budget, and with little downtime.

Because reaction furnaces and the surrounding environments have the capability of melting even the very best refractory materials available, it’s important to find a contractor who can determine the most efficient & appropriate materials for the construction and use of your new lining system. IA can provide:

• Refractory failure analysis
• Evaluation of current unit conditions
• Heat transfer calculations
• Complicated lining designs including heads, nozzles, cones, mixers, and connections
• Lining stabilization system configurations
• Anchoring systems and installation details
• Stress calculations

Refractory failures can be a hassle in both unexpected downtime and maintenance expense. Contact our rope access professionals to find out how IA can improve the performance of your SRU by installing a brand new refractory lining system at (770) 370-7055.