SRU Oxygen Enrichment [ Return towards Applications ]
Technologies using oxygen to expand the capacity of Claus Sulfur Recovery Units (SRU) or to build peak shaving process capability into new units are now widespread in the refining industry. Oxygen use in SRUs provides more than just capacity advantages, it can increase the combustion efficiency of the furnace and in some cases the overall sulfur recovery efficiency of the sulfur facility. If the refinery processes ammonia bearing sour water stripper gas, SRU’s are often faced with ammonium salt formation and pluggage by these salts in heat exchange equipment. The use of oxygen can help promote the destruction of ammonia and ensure that ammonium salt formation is minimized. Oxygen can also help in the combustion of lean acid gas feeds.
• Oxygen enrichment to 28 % volume
Oxygen enrichment involves blending an oxygen rich stream into a combustion air line to increase the air stream up to a maximum of 28 % volume. The system is quite inexpensive, usually requiring oxygen supply equipment, a control skid, a sparger (AIR LIQUIDE’s OXYNATOR™), and associated piping. Enrichment can typically be implemented without any modifications to the existing burner. The capacity increase that can be achieved through oxygen enrichment ranges from 25 to 30 %. Oxygen enrichment can be applied in virtually any SRU. Our references indicate that no modifications are required downstream of the furnace. If expansion of over 30 % is required, you should consider making a detailed analysis of all equipment in the sulfur and tailgas units. At AIR LIQUIDE, we work with qualified engineering firms to implement such projects.
With oxygen enrichment, installation can occur without any interruption to the operation of the SRU. The air line can be hot-tapped between turnarounds or cold-tapped in a previous turnaround. The Oxynator™ can be installed at any time through a full port valve that has been sized for the apparatus. An oxygen flow control skid and supply system can be installed prior to any process changes to the unit. Once all the equipment is in place, oxygen can be introduced into the SRU to improve its performance.
• Oxygen enrichment greater than 28 % volume and ammonia destruction
At AIR LIQUIDE, we have developed a unique burner ( to help refiners to completely destroy ammonia in feeds to SRU’s. This burner allows greater than 28 % oxygen enrichment, up to 100 % concentration to increase SRU capacity, ensure ammonia destruction with a turndown of 7:1 on air. The burner can easily retrofit existing SRU furnaces.
AIR LIQUIDE COBALT™ (Claus Oxygen Burner Air Liquide Technology)
Oxygen enrichment involves blending an oxygen rich stream into a combustion air line to increase the air stream up to a maximum of 28 % volume. The system is quite inexpensive, usually requiring oxygen supply equipment, a control skid, a sparger (AIR LIQUIDE’s OXYNATOR™), and associated piping. Enrichment can typically be implemented without any modifications to the existing burner. The capacity increase that can be achieved through oxygen enrichment ranges from 25 to 30 %. Oxygen enrichment can be applied in virtually any SRU. Our references indicate that no modifications are required downstream of the furnace. If expansion of over 30 % is required, you should consider making a detailed analysis of all equipment in the sulfur and tailgas units. At AIR LIQUIDE, we work with qualified engineering firms to implement such projects.
With oxygen enrichment, installation can occur without any interruption to the operation of the SRU. The air line can be hot-tapped between turnarounds or cold-tapped in a previous turnaround. The Oxynator™ can be installed at any time through a full port valve that has been sized for the apparatus. An oxygen flow control skid and supply system can be installed prior to any process changes to the unit. Once all the equipment is in place, oxygen can be introduced into the SRU to improve its performance.
• Oxygen enrichment greater than 28 % volume and ammonia destruction
At AIR LIQUIDE, we have developed a unique burner ( to help refiners to completely destroy ammonia in feeds to SRU’s. This burner allows greater than 28 % oxygen enrichment, up to 100 % concentration to increase SRU capacity, ensure ammonia destruction with a turndown of 7:1 on air. The burner can easily retrofit existing SRU furnaces.
AIR LIQUIDE COBALT™ (Claus Oxygen Burner Air Liquide Technology)
- Sep 1, 2008
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