MERCURY CONTROL DURING NATURAL GAS PROCESSING SHEQ problems and solutions Zdravko Špirić INA-Naftaplin, Zagreb, Croatia Boston, May 2, 2002.

INA-Naftaplin implemented a comprehensive technical approach to the control of mercury at Gas treatment processing plant (GTP) Molve. INA-Naftaplin implemented a comprehensive technical approach to the control of mercury at Gas treatment processing plant (GTP) Molve. The program includes both fully effective technologies for mercury removal from natural gas and the accurate measurement of mercury in the processes and environment within and surrounding the plant. IJS (Slovenia) GKSS – Galab (Germany) ERI (Sweden) St.Petersburg Univ. (FSU)

THERE’S NEED FOR:  High-quality, useful and reliable equipment and accurate methods for liquid hydrocarbon samples collection pre-treatment, preservation, storage.  Simple, accurate and reliable test methods and instruments for on-line identification and precise (quantitative plus quantitative) determination of the mercury content in process streams and in the surrounding atmosphere.  CA & CQ protocols and procedures, calibration standards and certified reference materials.  Efficient and safe technological, environmental and commercial procedures to reduce mercury emissions (mercury removal, recycling, storage and handling).  A program for investigation and evaluation of contaminated regions and their decontamination.  Human health effects (mercury exposure and health impacts, toxicology, risk assessment).  Technological process, materials and equipment resistant to aggressive (corrosive) impact of mercury. THERE’S NEED FOR:  High-quality, useful and reliable equipment and accurate methods for liquid hydrocarbon samples collection pre-treatment, preservation, storage.  Simple, accurate and reliable test methods and instruments for on-line identification and precise (quantitative plus quantitative) determination of the mercury content in process streams and in the surrounding atmosphere.  CA & CQ protocols and procedures, calibration standards and certified reference materials.  Efficient and safe technological, environmental and commercial procedures to reduce mercury emissions (mercury removal, recycling, storage and handling).  A program for investigation and evaluation of contaminated regions and their decontamination.  Human health effects (mercury exposure and health impacts, toxicology, risk assessment).  Technological process, materials and equipment resistant to aggressive (corrosive) impact of mercury. Efficient and safe technological, environmental and commercial procedures to reduce mercury emissions (mercury detection, measurements, removal, recycling, storage and handling). Efficient and safe technological, environmental and commercial procedures to reduce mercury emissions (mercury detection, measurements, removal, recycling, storage and handling). This approach is critical to our understanding, control and optimization of existing processes, but also to planning strategies and decision making for further operations in the petroleum industry. This approach is critical to our understanding, control and optimization of existing processes, but also to planning strategies and decision making for further operations in the petroleum industry.

GTP Molve III – block sheme "ECOLOGICAL" paradox concentration limits, - the allowable content in process plants amount to max. of 0.01  g/m 3 (due to corrosion danger). This is 5000 times more stringent than the maximum allowable limit for the working environment (50  g/m 3 ). WASTE

Our current interest is : 1)the determination of Hg in liquid hydrocarbons (condensate - - crude oil) and its subsequent removal 2) mercury contaminated adsorbent (sulfur impregnated activated carbon) treatment/disposal 3) EHSQ mercury problems We would like: to discus our experience and needs To promote and establish further cooperation