Unprocessed petroleum
hydrocarbons often contain high concentrations
of mercury (Hg), which can severely damage the metal components of
a processing plant and pose a health risk to the workers and the natural
environment. Although Hg removal units can significantly reduce the
Hg concentration in the export products, they are often installed
in the final stage of the processing plant, thus failing to protect
the production facilities. In this study, Hg distribution within a
natural gas processing plant was studied to identify the most effective
place for a Hg removal unit. Additionally, the impact of sampling
container materials and their acidification was evaluated, and Hg
species in the condensate were quantified. Total Hg concentration
was significantly higher in all samples stored in glass in comparison
to that with plastic containers. However, the acidification effect
of the containers was more pronounced for Hg in nonpolar solutions.
Interestingly, the assessment of Hg distribution within the gas plant
showed that the export gas is being enriched in Hg, whose concentration
rose from 1.25 to 4.11 μg/Sm3 during the processing
steps. The second stage separator was identified as the source of
excess Hg, which partitioned from the liquid phase of condensate to
the gas phase as a result of reduced operational pressure and temperature.
The dominant Hg species found in the analyzed gas condensates were
elemental Hg (Hg0) and inorganic Hg with the methylmercury
fraction comprising up to 18%. However, it was also found that the
% fraction of individual Hg species varied along the plant units most
likely as a result of Hg0 migration to the export gas.
Therefore, to protect all treatment facilities from Hg contamination,
the Hg removal unit should be installed after the second stage compressor.