Developing novel uses for sulphur

Since Qatar’s giant North Field contains sulphur in the form of hydrogen sulphide,  Shell’s projects, including the Pearl GTL project, will produce elemental sulphur as a co-product. Sulphur is one of nature’s most valuable resources and Shell has many years experience handling sulphur and exploring new ways to exploit its natural properties.

The Qatar Shell Research & Technology Centre is part of a global research and development effort to deliver a range of new products that exploit the properties of sulphur; combining enhanced functional performance over conventional products, with significant environmental benefits. 

With Qatar’s rapid economic growth, there is a shortage of materials to construct buildings and roads. 

Shell Thiocrete, technologies for sulphur concrete, offers high performance and environmental benefits compared to concrete made from Portland-cement.

It is acid and salt-water resistant It reaches maximum strength within hours rather than the weeks required for conventional concrete from Portland-cement. The manufacturing process for Shell Thiocrete concrete offers lower CO2 emissions than Portland-cement concrete partly because the emissions associated with limestone conversion in the cement manufacturing process are avoided. Shell Thiocrete does not require water, which is scarce in many parts of the Middle East.

At Qatar Shell Research & Technology Centre research is underway to further improve and develop new Shell Thiocrete applications for the Gulf region.

Shell Thiopave is technology for sulphur-enhanced road construction.

Shell’s technology enables a proportion of the bitumen in the asphalt mix to be replaced with sulphur and special additives, resulting in a stronger mix that enhances the load bearing capacity of the finished road, especially in hot climates. Shell Thiopave therefore has the potential to increase road life while delivering reductions in greenhouse gas emissions through lower temperature production.

The Qatar Shell Research & Technology Centre has signed a research collaboration agreement with Texas A&M University Qatar. Together the institutions are monitoring and evaluating the performance of asphalt mixtures containing Shell Thiopave and conventional hot mix asphalt laid over a 600 metre stretch of road at the Pearl Village, the worker accommodation for the Pearl GTL project in Ras Laffan Industrial City. The research will provide information concerning optimal Shell Thiopave road installation techniques.

More information about sulphur in Shell and the benefits of Shell Thiocrete and Shell Thiopave - opens in new window.