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WSA process

To comply with strict emission regulations and beneficial processing of sulfurous gases, the wet catalytic H2SO4-process (WSA, wet gas sulphuric acid) has become established. It is one of the most important gas cleaning processes on the market today, as it offers the economic advantage of saleable sulfuric acid in addition to ensuring ecological safety.
The WSA process is primarily found in the petrochemical industry, for example in:

  • Regeneration of spent sulfuric acid from alkylation
  • Cleaning of exhaust gases from the Claus plant
  • Treatment of H2S from the amine regenerator (MDEA gas scrubber)
  • Cleaning of flue gases from the combustion of high-sulfur fuels such as petroleum coke

LiquiSonic® Sound velocity measurement in comparison

Application

In the first step of the wet catalytic WSA process, the sulfur component H2S from exhaust gases catalytically into SO2 converted. In a subsequent step, at approximately 400 °C, the conversion to SO3, welches mit der Luftfeuchtigkeit zu Schwefelsäure reagiert. Durch Nutzung der Reaktionswärme und des Wärmeeinhaltes der Abgase kann dieser Prozess bereits bei niedrigen Abgaskonzentrationen (S-Komponenten < 0,2 Vol%) ohne zusätzlicher Wärmeenergie gefahren werden.

The LiquiSonic® Sensors ensure precise concentration measurement of sulfuric acid even at high concentrations. The individual process stages can be continuously monitored inline and optimally adjusted by the LiquiSonic® measurement system Due to the high dependency of the ultrasonic speed, an accuracy of +/- 0.05 m% is achieved for sulfuric acid.

Installation

The LiquiSonic® Immersion sensors can be easily installed in the pipelines after sulfuric acid production or blending. The LiquiSonic® Controller 30 can be connected to up to 4 sensors. This makes it possible to monitor multiple measuring points simultaneously.

Typical measuring range:
Concentration range H2SO4: 80 to 100 m%
Temperature range: 20 to 90 °C

Customer benefits

The robust sensor construction and the choice of special materials, such as Hastelloy C2000, ensure long process service life of the system.

LiquiSonic® reduces time-consuming laboratory measurements:

  • Time requirement: 1 hour per day

Compared to conductivity and density measurement, it generates LiquiSonic® a clear signal in the concentration range of 80 to 100 m% and thus provides reliable process information at any time.

LiquiSonic® ensures precise analysis and monitoring of the H2SO4 or oleum concentration with permanent data recording.

Downloads

WSA process

Application Report

WSA Process | 2 MB