Black & Veatch Awarded U.S. Patent For Innovative Sulfur Technology
Technology could lead to emissions-free power generation
Overland Park, KS — Black & Veatch, a leading global engineering, consulting and construction company, announced it has received a U.S. patent for its sulfur to energy process (STEP), a unique method for recovering sulfur and energy from acid gases captured during the processing of high-sulfur oil and natural gas, as well as sequestering sulfur dioxide.
David Stevens, Vice President of Sulfur Technology for Black & Veatch, and Dr. Peter Clark, Director of Research for Alberta Sulphur Research Ltd. (Canada) and Professor of Chemistry at the University of Calgary, developed the technology.
"The award of a patent for this innovative technology further demonstrates Black & Veatch's commitment to providing environmentally sustainable solutions for electric generation," said Dean Oskvig, President and CEO of Black & Veatch's global energy business. "Today, oil and gas refining produces more sulfur than there is demand. With STEP, the sulfur oversupply problem is addressed by converting it to a carbon-free energy source."
STEP works in conjunction with commonly used technology that removes hydrogen sulfide gas from oil or natural gas. The STEP methodology then converts the acid gases to sulfur dioxide in a conversion process that produces heat energy. The heat energy can be readily used for power generation or seawater desalination. The resultant sulfur dioxide is liquefied and sequestered underground.
"Cost estimates show that the process is cost-effective in comparison to alternative, long-term sulfur strategies," said Stevens. "However, additional studies are needed to ensure the liquefied sulfur dioxide behaves in the manner we expect when sequestered underground."
About Black & Veatch
Black & Veatch is a leading global engineering, consulting and construction company specializing in infrastructure development in energy, water, telecommunications, management consulting, federal and environmental markets. Founded in 1915, Black & Veatch develops tailored infrastructure solutions that meet clients' needs and provide sustainable benefits. Solutions are provided from the broad line of service expertise available within Black & Veatch, including conceptual and preliminary engineering services, engineering design, procurement, construction, financial management, asset management, program management, construction management, environmental, security design and consulting, management consulting and infrastructure planning. With more than $2 billion in revenue, the employee-owned company has more than 100 offices worldwide and has completed projects in more than 100 countries on six continents.
SOURCE: Black & Veatch