Technical upgrading and full life cycle economic evaluation of the sulfur shaping unit at Luojiazhai gas field
Hong Yin
China National Petroleum Corporation Southwest Oil and Gas Field Northeast Sichuan Operations Branch
Fang Peng
China National Petroleum Corporation Southwest Oil and Gas Field Northeast Sichuan Operations Branch
Lan Li
China National Petroleum Corporation Southwest Oil and Gas Field Northeast Sichuan Operations Branch
Ran Jiang
Exploration and Development Research Institute, Southwest Oil & Gas Field Company
Xia Luo
School of Economics and Management, Chengdu Technological University
Mengwei Liu
School of Economics and Management Southwest Petroleum University
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/pest.v8i1.13412
Keywords: high-sulfur gas fields; sulfur shaping; water granulation process; life cycle assessment; production-sales coordination
Abstract
Addressing issues such as equipment aging, liquid sulfur transportation safety hazards, and insufficient market adjustment capacity in the sulfur recovery system of Luojiazhai Gas Field, this paper conducts a comparative analysis and feasibility study of technical upgrade options for the sulfur shaping unit, using Xuanhan Natural Gas Purification Plant as a case study. By comparing steel belt granulation, drum granulation, and water granulation processes, the technical route for constructing a new 1200 t/d water granulation unit was determined. Based on life-cycle cost (LCC) theory, an economic evaluation was conducted across three dimensions: investment estimates, operational maintenance costs, and synergistic production-sales efficiency gains. Results indicate that while this solution entails higher initial investment than retrofitting existing lines, it fundamentally eliminates long-distance liquid sulfur transportation risks. Furthermore, by implementing a "store during off-peak, sell during peak" strategy, it achieves potential annual efficiency gains of several million yuan. This approach demonstrates significant technological advancement and economic viability.
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