Desulphurisation (Desulfurization) is a chemical process for the removal of sulphur or sulphur compounds mostly from fuels including in natural gas, flue gas, coal and oil that uses the hydrogen gas to reduce the sulphur content in hydrocarbons thus reducing the emissions of sulphur oxides which are responsible for acid rain. Sulphur in natural gas, process gas, natural gas liquids and crude oil may take many forms such as hydrogen sulphide (H2S), carbonyl sulphide (COS), sulphur oxides (SOx) and the whole family of mercaptans.
Reference Definition by EIA: Desulfurisation is the removal of sulphur, from molten metals, petroleum oil, or flue gases. The Petroleum Desulfurisation is a process that removes sulphur and its compounds from various streams during the refining process. Desulfurisation processes include catalytic hydrotreating and other chemical/physical processes such as adsorption. Desulfurization processes vary based on the type of stream treated (e.g. naphtha, distillate, heavy gas oil, etc.) and the amount of sulphur removed (e.g. sulphur reduction to 10 ppm).
Related Definitions in the Project: The Plant and Process Unit
