COURSE OVERVIEW:

This course is specially focused on providing a deep understanding of sulphur as a chemical element and as a contaminant in petroleum production and refining. It explains the adverse effects of sulphur on people, the environment, and industrial infrastructure. The course covers in detail the methods and techniques used for the analysis of sulphur and various sulphur compounds in different petroleum streams.

Participants will gain a thorough explanation of the application of various analytical techniques and instrumentation used for different sample types (solid, liquid, and gaseous) at various concentration levels. The course will also address the criteria for selecting the right analytical technique for a particular sample at a particular concentration.

In addition, it will cover sulphur, and its various species present in petroleum crude and products, the effect of higher sulphur concentrations on refinery processes and final products, and the rationale behind the selection of qualitative and quantitative analytical techniques and instrumentation for sulphur determination in the laboratory.

COURSE OBJECTIVES:

After completion of this course, the participants will be able to:

1. Understand key facts about sulphur as a chemical element, its abundance in nature, and its industrial uses.
2. Explain the occurrence of sulphur in petroleum crude, condensates, and other feedstocks from different geographical sources.
3. Describe the adverse effects of sulphur in petroleum on people, the environment, and industrial infrastructure.
4. Identify and differentiate between the various forms of sulphur compounds present in petroleum (such as hydrogen sulphide, mercaptan sulphur, disulphides, thiophenes, elemental sulphur, and others).
5. Explain the principles and applications of different analytical techniques used for the detection and quantification of total sulphur content in solid, liquid, and gaseous samples.
6. Distinguish between destructive analytical techniques (oxidative and non-oxidative combustion followed by chemical and instrumental detection such as gravimetry, microcoulometry, ultraviolet fluorescence spectrometry, and other methods) and non-destructive techniques (X-ray fluorescence such as EDXRF, WDXRF, and micro-WDXRF).
7. Describe sulphur speciation techniques for detection and quantification of individual sulphur compounds using stain tubes, potentiometric titrations, gas chromatography with various detectors, chemiluminescence techniques, GCxGC analysis, and related methods.
8. Select suitable analytical techniques for sulphur analysis in various petroleum samples, based on matrix type, concentration range, accuracy requirements, and regulatory specifications.
9. Apply best laboratory practices to achieve reliable, accurate, and traceable high-level sulphur analysis results.

TARGET AUDIENCE:

-Laboratory staff involved in petroleum testing and quality control

-Process engineering personnel working in refineries and gas plants

-Supply chain and product quality assurance professionals

-Research and development personnel focused on fuels and petroleum products

-Refinery operations and technical support staff

TRAINING COURSE METHODOLOGY:

A highly interactive combination of lectures and discussion sessions, as well as case studies, will be managed to maximize the amount and quality of information, knowledge, and experience transfer. The course will be intensive but practical and highly interactive. The sessions will start by raising the most relevant questions and motivating everybody to find the right answers. The attendants will also be encouraged to raise more of their questions and to share in developing the right answers using their analysis and experience. There will also be some indoor experiential activities to enhance learning. Course material will be provided in PowerPoint, with necessary animations, learning videos, and general discussions.

The course participants shall be evaluated before, during, and after the course.

COURSE CERTIFICATE:

National Consultant Centre for Training LLC (NCC) will issue an Attendance Certificate to all participants completing a minimum of 80% of the total attendance time requirement.