Shell Success Story

Pyrite is a rock, which contains varying concentrations of sulphur. In order for the sulphur to be extracted from the rock, it undergoes a roasting or burning process. Unfortunately when this rock is roasted, it releases harmful emissions into the atmosphere. Shell has enabled a number of acid plants to re-engineer their processes to use the cleaner alternative of pure sulphur in obtaining their required industrial needs in favour of pyrite combustion. This has improved environmental conditions due to decreased harmful emissions, while at the same time lowering plant-operating costs through reduced plant maintenance.

 

China Pyrite Conversion Story   In 1996 Shell Canada found a technology in the Philippines to convert a pyrite roaster to a sulphur burner, at "zero" capital investment. In 1998 Shell sponsored an actual conversion in Yunnan Province and conducted a 3-day "conversion" workshop for 170 acid producers in China. Conversions started within 6 months and continue today.

Results:

• Reduction in the cost per tonne of acid produced by over 50 percent
• Increased production capacity by 20-30 percent because of lower temperatures of combustion (at no cost)
• Decreased maintenance by up to 60 percent
• Reduction of environmental problems including;
  • Reduced CO2 emissions
  • Reduced heavy metals/arsenic in air and water
  • Reduced heavy back wash settlement ponds
  • Decreased dust settlement in 15 kilometre radius
  • Freed up 2 million tonnes of railroad capacity (28,000 rail cars)
• Today China is estimated to have converted over 40 plants to this cleaner energy source.