Amine-based gas sweetening and claus sulfur recovery process chemistry and waste stream survey. Topical report

A significant fraction of the natural gas produced in the U.S. contains acid gases--primarily hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon dioxide (CO2)--in sufficiently high concentrations as to be considered subquality. These contaminants must be removed for the gas to be safely and economically transported. The report presents the results of a project undertaken for GRI to assemble in a single document information on: (1) the identity and characteristics of the waste streams produced by the major gas sweetening and sulfur recovery processes; (2) the possible effects of process chemistry and the nature of the gas being treated on waste characteristics; (3) currently available options for waste stream disposition; and (4) the effects of environmental regulations, both current and foreseeable, on waste stream disposition.