Taking control of the Sulphur Paradox

Süleyman Özmen, Vice President, Refining and Chemical Licensing, Shell Global Solutions International B.V.

Refiners globally will continue to experience numerous challenges in the coming years. Principal among these is the sulphur paradox, which is a reality that refiners increasingly face: more sulphur is coming into the refinery as the availability of sweet crudes diminishes, but less sulphur must leave the refinery within the finished products or as harmful emissions.

Indeed, the need to meet changing product specifications and emissions legislation will continue to be a key focus for refinery managers as the global population rises and demand increases. For example, the economy in Russia remains extremely tight and, despite financial constraints, refiners must meet Euro 3 transportation fuel regulations this year and be prepared for Euro 5 by 2015.

In terms of local product specifications, export markets can bring different demands. With the Middle East, for example, now providing significant product to Europe, South America and other regions, refiners must comply with the 10 weight parts per million (wppm) sulphur transportation fuels specification even though it is not required for the domestic market. In developing markets, tighter specifications for motor gasoline (mogas) or diesel will also be imposed.

During the next five years and beyond refiners must look forward to find more viable solutions. There is never a simple single solution. A flexible and tailored approach is necessary to account for individual circumstances. Intelligently applied, integrated technology and a robust sulphur management strategy are important now more than ever.

In this supplement, we showcase the thinking and technologies, which facilitate the effective management of sulphur in any form, as refiners face processing heavier, sourer crudes despite more stringent product specifications and emissions legislation.

We begin with innovative ways of thinking that refiners can apply when dealing with the sulphur paradox. At the macro-level, the Shell energy scenarios enable refiners to navigate the energy landscape, exploring possible developments in the future of energy and testing strategies against those potential developments. The Shell Global Solutions Pentagon Model, a multi-platform approach, provides refiners with a template to help them improve operations and invest in their future. Theory is put into practice as we provide examples of how refiners respond to increasingly stringent environmental specifications as they relate to sulphur and other emissions using the Pentagon Model.

We provide insight into the key technologies that help refiners execute on their sulphur management strategies. The Shell Global Solutions Sulphur Technology Platform, a focal point for integrated and customised sulphur solutions, helps refiners process heavier, sourer crudes, whilst meeting stringent emissions and product requirements. In addition, distillate upgrading and catalyst technology enables them to take their Ultra-Low sulphur diesel (ULSD) units to the next level by improving product quality or yield flexibility in revamp applications. JsC Ukrtatnafta’s Kremenchug refinery highlights the success of these technologies, which helped them improve the quality of their transportation fuels and improve their margins.

Ultimately, innovative process and catalyst technology solutions are required for processing heavier, sourer crudes whilst meeting emissions and clean transportation fuel specifications, specifically in relation to sulphur. By using integrated technology solutions to optimise sulphur management strategies, we can face today’s refining challenges head on to survive and thrive!

Süleyman Özmen
Vice President, Refining and Chemical Licensing,
Shell Global Solutions International B.V.