Microwave-assisted oxidative desulfurization of sour natural gas condensate via combination of sulfuric and nitric acids

Abstract

Sulfur components are traditionally considered as undesirable contaminants of liquid hydrocarbon fuels. Many countries have passed strict regulations to keep sulfur content of different fuels as low as possible. On a daily basis, over 3000 barrels of sour gas condensate are produced in Khangiran natural gas processing plant with an annual growth rate of around 16% in the last six years. In pursue of our previous researches, a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids is introduced as a novel oxidative desulfurization agent. Also, the effect of microwave radiation was studied on desulfurization efficiency of proposed agent. Both hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans are totally eliminated from sour gas condensate and its total sulfur content is severely reduced from 8500 ppm to less than 300 ppm.