Remoción de Mercurio del Gas Natural

Mercury removal

Almost all hydrocarbons contain mercury.  In the case of natural gas and natural gas
liquids it is likely to be present as elemental mercury whilst in crude oil it may also be
present as organo-metallic and ionic mercury.  Concentration levels vary from 0.01 to
5000 micrograms per normal cubic metre.

The main areas of concern with mercury are:

 exposure of workers to high levels of mercury during maintenance operations

 corrosion of process equipment due to liquid metal embrittlement or amalgam
corrosion
 poisoning of expensive downstream precious metal catalysts such as platinum or
palladium
 difficulty in disposal of mercury contaminated equipment
 emissions to the environment
 potential liabilities resulting from mercury contaminated product streams

Unlike many other mercury removal solutions the PURASPECJM material is a mixed
metal sulphide and thus the bed can be located upstream of dryers and of the acid gas
treatment section of the plant.  Therefore the PURASPECJM bed provides protection for
much of the plant and avoids the problems and costs associated with widespread plant
contamination and mercury emissions that have been encountered by many operators.