Mercaptans and Sulfur Compounds Industrial Gases
Description
Mercaptans, also known as thiols, are a family of organic sulfur compounds found in untreated petroleum distillates such as LPG, naphtha, kerosene, and gas oils. These compounds are characterized by their extremely offensive odor and moderate acidity, particularly in the lower boiling range. As the molecular weight of mercaptans increases, these properties diminish. Mercaptans are generally undesirable in petroleum products due to their adverse effects on odor, stability, and quality, as well as their corrosive nature to refining and handling equipment .
Working Principle
Mercaptans and sulfur compounds are typically measured and analyzed using gas chromatographs equipped with detectors like the micro Flame Photometric Detector (µFPD). This setup allows for high specificity and sensitivity in measuring sulfur species, including mercaptans, down to parts per million (ppm) levels. The analysis of these compounds is crucial for controlling their concentration to prevent pipeline corrosion, equipment damage, and sulfur emissions .
Applications
Mercaptans are used as odorants in natural gas to provide a detectable smell for safety purposes, as natural gas is otherwise odorless. The Rosemount 700XA Gas Chromatograph is an example of a device used to measure the concentration of sulfur compounds, including mercaptans, in natural gas. This ensures that the levels of these compounds are within safe and acceptable limits .
Advantages over other Industrial Gases
The use of mercaptans as odorants in natural gas is advantageous because they provide a strong, easily detectable odor at very low concentrations, which is essential for leak detection and safety. This property makes them more effective than other potential odorants that might not be as easily detectable or might require higher concentrations to be effective .
Limitations
Mercaptans are undesirable in finished petroleum products due to their offensive odor and corrosive nature. They can also promote the hydroperoxidation of olefins to gum, which affects the stability and quality of gasoline. Additionally, the presence of mercaptans in high concentrations can lead to equipment corrosion and damage .
Considerations
When considering the use of mercaptans and sulfur compounds, it is important to account for the initial costs of equipment like gas chromatographs for accurate measurement and monitoring. Operating expenses may include regular maintenance and calibration of these devices to ensure accuracy and reliability. Durability and replacement costs should also be considered, as the corrosive nature of sulfur compounds can affect the longevity of the equipment used for their detection and analysis .
from Kin-Tek Laboratories Inc.
Used for generating moderate concentrations of low vapor pressure compounds such as C2H5SH, benzene, and water, and for generating high concentration mixtues of SO2, CH,3SH and other moderate vapor pressure compounds. Typical emission rate is 1 to 10 ppm, depending on the compound and the operating... [See More]
- Industrial Gases: Sulfur-based; tert-Butyl mercaptan
- Composition: Pure
- Application / Function: Calibration Gas / Gas Standard; Laboratory / Analytical
- Product Form: Liquid
from Kin-Tek Laboratories Inc.
Generate moderate concentrations of low vapor pressure compounds such as acrylonitrile, benzene, styrene, etc. and high concentrations of SO2, CH3SH and other moderate vapor compounds. [See More]
- Industrial Gases: Sulfur-based; tert-Butyl mercaptan
- Composition: Pure
- Application / Function: Calibration Gas / Gas Standard; Laboratory / Analytical
- Product Form: Liquid
from Kin-Tek Laboratories Inc.
Generate moderate concentrations of high vapor pressure compounds such as SO2, H2S, NH3, Cl2, etc. and very low concentrations of low vapor pressure compounds such as carbon disulfide, methylene chloride, nitric acid, etc. [See More]
- Industrial Gases: Sulfur-based; tert-Butyl mercaptan
- Composition: Pure
- Application / Function: Calibration Gas / Gas Standard; Laboratory / Analytical
- Product Form: Liquid
from Kin-Tek Laboratories Inc.
Generates high concentration mixtures of high vapor pressure gases CO, CO2, NO, N2O, CH4, etc. Typical concentrations: 10 ppm to over 1,000 ppm. Tube dimensions: 1 ¾ inches diameter by 6 inches long [See More]
- Industrial Gases: Sulfur-based; tert-Butyl mercaptan
- Composition: Pure
- Application / Function: Calibration Gas / Gas Standard; Laboratory / Analytical
- Product Form: Bulk Gaseous
from Kin-Tek Laboratories Inc.
Generates low concentration gas standards of high vapor pressure gases such as CO, CO2, NO, CH4 etc. Typical concentrations: ppb to 10 ppm. Tube dimensions: 1 ¾ inches diameter by 6 inches long [See More]
- Industrial Gases: Sulfur-based; tert-Butyl mercaptan
- Composition: Pure
- Application / Function: Calibration Gas / Gas Standard; Laboratory / Analytical
- Product Form: Bulk Gaseous
from Kin-Tek Laboratories Inc.
Generates extremely low concentration mixtures of Cl2, NO2, COCl2, SO2, H2S. Features long life for service in remote areas where the use of disposable permeation tubes is impractical. Tube dimensions: 1 inch diameter by 6 inches long. [See More]
- Industrial Gases: Sulfur-based; tert-Butyl mercaptan
- Composition: Pure
- Application / Function: Calibration Gas / Gas Standard; Laboratory / Analytical
- Product Form: Liquid