Martin Taylor - Bechtel Hydrocarbon Technology Solutions
Chevron developed the two column WWT process in the mid-1960s to handle the large amounts of sour water resulting from processing high nitrogen California crudes. Bechtel Hydrocarbon Technology Solutions, Inc. (BHTS) purchased the technology and has been studying the benefits of modern refinery sour water processing in WWT units versus conventional SWS based on incremental utility costs, capital expenditure, and the value of ammonia. This paper will present the economic benefits of the WWT process in terms of removing ammonia from the Claus sulfur recovery unit and thereby expanding sulfur capacity.
Two case studies are presented. In a grassroots scenario, a WWT is used in place of a larger Claus train. In a brownfield scenario, a WWT is used in place of an additional Claus train and the project is self-funded rather than being a net cost to the facility.
MARTIN A. TAYLOR is a Sulfur Technologist for Bechtel Hydrocarbon Technology Solutions, Inc. based in Houston, Texas, USA. His experience includes design, troubleshooting, consulting, commissioning, and start-up of sulphur related units such as amine, sour water, SRUs, tail gas treating units, etc. for the last 20 years. Martin has patents and patents pending for technologies in and around the sulphur industry. Martin earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering and a M.S. in Natural Gas Engineering from Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas, USA.
