How to Solve Off-Spec Propane Issues
Updated: Feb 12, 2020
Product specification failures cause severe economic hardships due to the logistical management of the propane and the costs associated with processing the propane internally. Utilizing new technology to eliminate methyl and ethyl mercaptans in sulfur loading can help alleviate these issues.
Rejected propane - when used as feedstock - lowers the efficiency of the plant and increases maintenance costs. Propane contamination issues cause plants to fail propane specification targets such as copper strip tests and freeze valve tests. The propane must pass the pipeline operator’s requirements resulting from corrosion standards and fuel characteristics. When the company experiences a specification failure, the pipeline operator reverses the flow, redirecting the off-spec propane back to the plant, costing them millions of dollars. Causes of Copper Strip Failures in Propane:
Reactive sulfur
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S)
Elemental sulfur
Carbonyl sulfide (COS)
Mercaptans
Growing Industry Need to:
Manage a wide variation in contaminant concentrations
Meet propane quality goals and requirements
Improve product value
Manage changes in production
Increase plant efficiency
Reduce unnecessary maintenance expenses
Vapor Point’s sulfur reduction solution is a complete chemical/mechanical system to address off-spec rejected propane. Our cutting-edge technology eliminates the contaminants causing copper strip failures, allowing the propane to meet requirements. Our proven solution adds value by increasing throughput. Check out our white paper to get more details about how Vapor Point provides significant savings for clients by greatly reducing failure related costs.
About the Author:
Jim Woodard began working with Vapor Point in 2015 as the Vice President of Business Development. Jim devises short-term strategies that best serve our customers’ long-term goals. He encourages his team to challenge the status quo, to fully understand our customers’ challenges in order to provide solutions with maximum value.
Contact: jwoodard@vaporpoint.net