Why H₂S Removal is Critical in the Oil and Gas Industry

Among the most serious and costly problems for the oil and gas industry is hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) emission. This highly toxic and problematic gas not only has a foul odor, but in certain conditions, it produces sulfuric acid that is highly corrosive to metal and mission critical electronics. H₂S also poses a serious safety risk for people working or living in affected areas and can lead to significant asset losses in the oil and gas industry.

The corrosive nature of H₂S is a problem that requires immediate action. Hydrogen sulfide exposure in the oil and gas industry can cause widespread illness and equipment damage if not effectively managed. Corrosion from H₂S can also damage process control and communications, and lead to:

• Production Losses
• Plant Interruptions
• Accidents
• Costly Component Replacement
• Unscheduled Downtime

Hydrogen Sulfide 2nd Leading Cause of Inhalation Deaths

Exposure to H₂S can result in serious short term and long term effects, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headaches, respiratory paralysis, rapid unconsciousness, coma, and in extreme cases, even death. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, H₂S was the second leading cause of inhalation deaths in the United States between 2011 and 2017.

Hydrogen Sulfide Puts Mission Critical Electronics At Risk

Since hydrogen sulfide is 19% heavier than air, it collects in low-lying and confined spaces. Some common areas where hydrogen sulfide accumulates in oil and gas facilities:

• Shale shaker area
• Circulation fluid treatment area
• During tripping procedure
• Wellhead
• Cellar
• Drilling floor

H₂S corrosion can develop on all upstream steel components that are exposed to H₂S, including transport pipelines, well tubing, flowlines, and processing equipment. Other areas of the facility that may be at risk for H₂S corrosion include:

• Motor Control Centers (MCC)
• Drive Rooms
• Operator Control Rooms
• Rack Rooms
• Laboratories
• Administrative Buildings

PureAir® Offers H₂S Environmental Testing for Oil and Gas Facilities

Air quality testing is used to identify corrosion problems within the facility that can cause damage, unplanned downtime, and costly repairs. This environmental testing determines the types of corrosive contaminants with estimated concentrations. It also identifies “hot spots” within a facility and provides baseline data for corrosion control solutions that allow customers to evaluate and maintain peak system performance.

The PureAir® Corrosivity Test Kit includes a strip of silver and copper, which is hung in the applicable room for 30 days. After 30 days, the used test kit should be placed in a sealed plastic bag and sent back to PureAir® for analysis. The lab analysis determines which type of gas caused the corrosion, and in what quantities according to ISA ANSI 71.04-2013 standard. The PureAir® team will assess the analysis and recommend a solution to solve corrosion issues.

For continuous monitoring, PureAir®’s Environment Corrosivity Monitor (ECMv2) offers live, accurate results of environment surveillance and detection of corrosion to copper and silver. The innovative tool provides benefits of constant environment surveillance.

PureAir® Delivers Powerful H₂S Control

When designing a system to remove toxic or unwanted gases from the environment, the PureAir® experts consider:

• Type and level of contaminants
• Temperatures​ and humidity​
• Volume and frequency of airflow​ (Room Size)
• Building construction and controlled spaces​ (Condition)
• Pressurization ​vs recirculation ​
• Space restrictions​
• People flow​
• Particulate filtration that may be needed at inlet or outlet​
• Continuous monitoring of air quality and environmental conditions

Based on our expert analysis, we will recommend the right system and chemisorbant media solution. Equipment options include:

Saudi Aramco and the Kuwait National Petroleum Company: A Case Study

An oil refinery spanning the border of Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, AL-Khafji Joint Operations (KJO), called upon PureAir® for assistance in determining the best way to deal with extremely high levels of H₂S. This project was a collaborative effort between Saudi Aramco and the Kuwait National Petroleum Company, producers of a high volume of petroleum. They needed a solution that would protect their employees in the case of an accidental toxic gas release and safeguard their sensitive electronics from corrosion, as well as prevent unnecessary downtime and expensive repairs.

After accessing the situation, PureAir® determined two separate systems were needed to resolve both of their problems. Our team selected:

• Side Access Housing (SAH) units
• Bank Transition Systems (VTS) units

Six of our SAH units were installed in different areas throughout the refinery to protect their mission critical electronics from the corrosive gasses onsite. To keep the facilities safe for employees, five VTS units filled with PureAir® 12 and Sulphasorb Fe™ chemisorbant media were also installed throughout the refinery. The media selected is specifically designed to limit corrosive gases in the environment.

Following the installation of the PureAir® equipment and media, H₂S levels are reported to be undetectable.

Ready to learn more? Contact us to discuss your project.