Mercury

Overview

The Mercury Oil Project is aimed at addressing the critical issue of mercury contamination in hydrocarbon streams, which is a significant problem in the oil and gas industry. Mercury contamination can lead to reduced market value of the hydrocarbon stream, operational inefficiencies, and environmental hazards.

Importance of Mercury Removal

• Mercury is a highly toxic metal that can cause severe environmental and health issues. Its presence in hydrocarbon streams can lead to equipment failures, increased costs, and regulatory compliance issues.
• Traditional chemical treatments for metal contaminants are often ineffective against mercury due to its volatile nature and various forms it can take in the process stream.

Methods of Mercury Removal

Baker Hughes ALCHEMIA Solution

• This solution involves using specialty chemicals and a synergistic system designed specifically to remove mercury and other metal contaminants from hydrocarbon streams.
• The ALCHEMIA solution integrates application expertise and operational efficiencies to bring mercury content down to below parts per billion (ppb) levels, ensuring the hydrocarbon stream meets market specifications and achieves maximum value.

Flinders University's Sustainable Mercury Sorbent

• Researchers at Flinders University have developed a sustainable extraction material made from waste products such as petroleum, citrus, and agricultural waste.
• This material, which involves coating silica with sulfur and limonene, can absorb almost all mercury in polluted water within minutes. It is selective, binding only to mercury and not other metal contaminants, making it safe and efficient for use.

Benefits of Effective Mercury Removal

Environmental Protection

• Effective mercury removal helps protect the environment by preventing mercury pollution in water, air, and soil. This is particularly important near industrial sites such as goldmines, cement plants, and other heavy industries.

Operational Efficiencies

• Removing mercury from hydrocarbon streams optimizes operational efficiencies by reducing the risk of equipment failures and unnecessary storage and processing costs.

Market Value

• Ensuring the hydrocarbon stream is free from mercury contamination helps achieve the highest market value, as it meets regulatory requirements and industry standards.

Health and Safety

• Mercury removal is crucial for public health, as mercury exposure can lead to severe health effects, including neurological and kidney damage. Effective removal reduces the risk of mercury exposure to workers and the general public.

Technical and Operational Aspects

Production and Processing

• Mercury can be present in various forms throughout the production and processing value chain. Effective removal solutions must be able to handle these different forms and ensure consistent results.

Customized Solutions

• Both the ALCHEMIA solution and the Flinders University sorbent offer customized approaches. The ALCHEMIA solution involves field system assessments to streamline operations, while the Flinders University sorbent can be tailored to different contamination levels and environmental conditions.

Economic and Regulatory Considerations

Cost Savings

• Effective mercury removal can save costs by reducing the need for storage and processing of out-of-spec hydrocarbon streams and by minimizing equipment failures and maintenance.

Regulatory Compliance

• Ensuring mercury levels are below regulatory limits is crucial to avoid fines and other penalties. Both solutions are designed to meet or exceed these regulatory requirements.

Conclusion

The Mercury Oil Project is a critical initiative aimed at safely and efficiently removing mercury from hydrocarbon streams. By leveraging advanced technologies such as the ALCHEMIA solution and sustainable mercury sorbents, the project can protect the environment, enhance operational efficiencies, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards, ultimately maximizing the market value of the hydrocarbon stream.