Gulf Coast Environmental Systems

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Sulfur Oxides

What are sulfur oxides?

Sulfur oxides (SOx) are compounds of sulfur and oxygen molecules. Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is the predominant form found in the lower atmosphere. Sulfur oxide is the common term for many types of sulfur and oxygen containing compounds such as:

  • Lower sulfur oxides(SnO, S7O2 and S6O2)SOx, Sulfur Oxides
  • Sulfur monoxide(SO)
  • Sulfur dioxide(SO2)
  • Sulfur trioxide(SO3)
  • Higher sulfur oxides(SO3 and SO4 and polymeric condensates of them)
  • Disulfur monoxide(S2O)
  • Disulfur dioxide(S2O2)

These molecules are colorless, but have a very distinct and strong scent and taste that can be detected when the gas is of high concentration.

Sulfur monoxide, SO, is a common sulfur oxide compound that is rarely found outside of space. When concentrated or condensed it becomes S2O2, or disulfur dioxide (see below). Under extreme laboratory conditions sulfur monoxide can be produced by treating sulfur dioxide with sulfur vapors in a glow discharge. In spaced sulfur monoxide is detected around one of Jupiter’s moons, Lo, in the atmosphere and in the plasma torus. It has also been found in the atmospheres of Venus and the Hale-Bopp comet as well as the interstellar medium. In biological chemistry, sulfur monoxide may have some biological activity, the formation of transient SO in porcine coronary artery has been inferred from the reaction products. Because it is rare in occurrence it is difficult to fully understand the hazardous of sulfur monoxide but as sulfur dioxide it is both toxic and corrosive.

Sulfur dioxide, one of the more popular sulfur oxides, is a poisonous gas with a smell that is often described as a just struck match. Sulfur dioxide can be can be liquefied at room temperatures under moderate pressures. As a liquid it freezes at -37° C (-99.4° F) and boils at -10° C (+14° F) under atmospheric pressure. Sulfur dioxide, like sulfur monoxide is often found in space. In the atmosphere of Venus it is the third-most significant gas at 140 ppm. Interestingly, on Venus it is a contributor to global warming and is a key component of the chemical reactions in the planets atmosphere. [Read more…]

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Natural Disasters & Plant Operations

Recovering from a natural disaster can be a daunting task. Yet a well-planned, quick-implemented action plan to prevent further damage, repair equipment, infrastructure and other facilities is key to resuming normal operations in a timely manner. GCES is here to help, and offers the following guide to help you recover from these disasters. Critical steps include:

1. Contact and prepare personnel: Contact key personnel and ensure they are safe and able to return to work. Prepare relief and standby crews, maintenance and cleanup crews and regular shift crews to return to work. Make sure they are trained to look for sources of danger and hazards such as downed power lines, fuel leaks, chemical spills and displaced animals such as snakes, alligators and others.

[Read more…]

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Ammonia Removal utalizing an Ammonia Scrubber

Part 5 of Abating Hazardous Air Pollutants: Ammonia

What is Ammonia?

Ammonia is a compound of nitrogen and hydrogen. A colorless gas with the formula NH3, ammonia has a pungent smell. Ammonia boils at 33.34 degrees and must be stored under pressure or at a low temperature. Industrial ammonia is sold as either an ammonia liquor or as a pressurized and/or refrigerated anhydrous liquid ammonia transported in Ammonia Scrubbertanks cars or cylinders. In 2014 the global production of ammonia was 176 million tonnes. China is the top worldwide producer with nearly one-third of total production, followed by India, Russia and the United States.

Ammonia molecules have a trigonal pyramidal shape. The molecules shape allows for a dipole moment and makes it polar. This polarity allows the ability to form hydrogen bonds and makes ammonia highly miscible with water. The central nitrogen atom has five outer electrons with additional electron from each hydrogen atom. This makes a total of eight electrons or four electron pairs that are arranged tetrahedrally. Of these electron pairs three of them are used as bonded pairs leaving one sole pair of electrons. This long pair repels more strongly than bond pairs. [Read more…]

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Advantages of Ceramic Fiber Modules aka Ceramic Media

A Comparison of Ceramic Fiber Modules and Fire Clay Castable

Oxidizers treat VOCs, HAPs, and other air contaminants based on proven technology and history.  Engineering these systems to the next level allows them to process vapor laden streams with much greater efficiency and lower equipment operating costs.  One of the ways to improve on the costs of operating these GCES systems is by properly insulating the combustion chambers with the most effective and efficient insulation materials.

Ceramic Fiber Modules
Detail of Structured Media

The combustion chamber serves two purposes within the system. Purpose #1 is to input the required heat energy to bring the process and combustion air up to the required operating temperature with the burner firing into the chamber. Purpose #2 is to retain the process stream at the operating temperature for the required time in order to achieve the desired destruction efficiency – this is typically called the residence time. There must be a layer of insulation to account for heat loss during the combustion process.  The proven material of insulation is the ceramic fiber module.

[Read more…]

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Dry Scrubber Media Disposal

Revenue Development in Dry Scrubber Media Replacement

When a client came to GCES with a zero waste initiative we had to find a solution for their spent dry scrubber media. We provided them a solution that not only met their zero waste initiative but also allowed opportunity for financial recovery of media replacement costs.

Dry scrubber media, also known as iron sponge sulfide, is composed of iron oxide, elemental sulfur, wood fiber, water, soda ash and limestone.

There are many options for the disposal of spent iron sponge with the most common being simply by spreading the spent media onto an area of land and burying it with a light earth cover. In urban areas the material is generally accepted with EPA approval at a sanitary landfill. In recent years revenue streams and partnerships have been developed between the disposers of the spent media and the agricultural community. In these scenarios agricultural uses for iron sponge include in the farming of tomatoes and coniferous trees such as Christmas trees. [Read more…]

Company Profile

Gulf Coast Environmental Systems (GCES) is your custom solutions provider for pollution control systems, industrial ovens, systems engineering and field support worldwide. Our unique approach is to analyze your process stream and business objectives and propose an ideal solution or range of options to help you optimize these objectives. GCES is a one-stop shop: we provide engineering services, manufacturing, installation, commissioning and ongoing support. With our broad base of expertise and large installed global base, we are well-positioned to solve your pollution control issues.

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