MERCURY CONTROL

DURING NATURAL GAS PROCESSING

SHEQ problems and solutions

Zdravko piri
INA-Naftaplin, Zagreb, Croatia
e-mail: zdravko.spiric@ina.hr

Boston, May 2, 2002.

 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)
 THERES 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
Efficient and
process streams and safe technological,
in the surrounding atmosphere.environmental and

commercial procedures
CA & CQ protocols tocalibration
and procedures, reducestandards
mercury emissions
and certified reference
(mercury detection, measurements, removal,
materials.

recycling,
Efficient and storage
safe technological, and handling).
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.
This approach is critical to our understanding,
Human
controlhealth
andeffects (mercury exposure
optimization and healthprocesses,
of existing impacts, toxicology, risk
but also
assessment).
to planning strategies and decision making for
Technological
further operations
process, in equipment
materials and the petroleum industry.
resistant to aggressive (corrosive)
impact of mercury.
 GTP Molve III block sheme
WASTE

"ECOLOGICAL" paradox
concentration limits, - the allowable content in process plants amount
to max. of 0.01 g/m3 (due to corrosion danger).
This is 5000 times more stringent than the maximum allowable limit
for the working environment (50 g/m3).
 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