Executive Viewpoint: Sulfur removal and much more
Hydrocarbon Processing (HP) sat down with Pinti Wang (PW), President and CEO, GTC Vorro Technology, to get his insights on sulfur removal processes, technology licensing and other topics within the process industries. Wang was the recipient of Hydrocarbon Processing’s 2019 Lifetime Achievement Award.
HP: What areas of the hydrocarbon industry does GTC Vorro Technology serve?
PW: Simply put, we are a turnkey environmental services and technology provider serving oilfield, refining, petrochemical and chemical companies around the world. We have two divisions: one offers full-service sulfur removal, and a second division licenses process technologies. The first is a continuation of our original core business of providing hydrogen sulfide (H2S) removal via placement of various technologies associated with natural gas production and providing options to address redundant sulfur plant capacity in refineries. Now, we are incorporating additional technology offerings to cover higher sulfur loadings as well as very low sulfur loadings and high space velocity that apply to a broader range of the available market.
HP: What do you mean by full-service?
PW: We provide a full-service H2S removal method. First, this would include a complete set of equipment via lease, or we can design, supply and sell the equipment. Next, we supply the adsorbing media as well as the loading of the media. We check and monitor the performance, with the performance risk taken upon ourselves. Then, we unload the spent media by hauling it away and disposing of it. Payment is made on a per-pound basis of H2S removed.
HP: Don’t all companies provide that?
PW: GTC Vorro is unique in the way we operate. We see that many customers look mainly at the cost of the adsorption media and do not realize the value offered in a package deal. To help reach our customers’ goals, we have simplified the H2S removal process and optimized real-world performance with minimal adsorbent (chemical/scavenger) volumes consumed. We do not sell a quick and simple H2S removal method, but instead customize a turnkey approach to specific needs. We provide a partnership where the research, planning, management and optimization of our clients’ project are maximized, and where the actual performance risk switches from the operator to us as a process provider.
HP: What technologies does GTC Vorro use to meet the needs for sulfur removal?
PW: We have expanded our technical offerings to cover different methodologies for a wider range of sulfur removal, using whatever is most economical for the situation, based on the type of sulfur to be removed, the quantity of sulfur, and the nature of the feed stream. GTC Vorro has perfected the systems for solid scavenging, with an extended range of operation. For a very low quantity of sulfur to be removed, we use liquid scavenger designs; for removing medium quantities, we use chelating systems or direct oxidation. For large volumes of gas flow or dilute systems, we use amine systems to remove and concentrate the sulfur, and to purge CO2. We have options for high-end fertilizer production from waste sulfur streams.
Our vision is to bridge gaps between different segments of the hydrocarbon processing industry—such as midstream and downstream, and petrochemicals with refining—with a view toward environmental responsibility. There are technical solutions in one area that can be applied in another. Some examples are:
- Lower-cost sulfur removal in units used for redundancy of Claus tail gas treatment units
- Zero-sulfur fuel gas to permit improved heat recovery from refinery flue gas
- Novel sulfur removal systems from petrochemical facilities
- Waste plastics conversion into petrochemicals
- Novel solvent systems and revamp techniques for solvent-enhanced separations using liquid-liquid extraction and extractive distillation
- Technology for high-end hydrocarbon resins.
HP: How does the inclusion of a technology licensing division fit with the sulfur business?
PW: Technology innovation is deeply engrained in our culture. The market is constantly changing to address environmental rules and new products. Our team has longstanding experience in petrochemical processing, solvent-based separations, which are useful for olefins and aromatics, and converting mixed plastics into petrochemicals.
HP: Can you elaborate more on the reason to specialize on core competencies?
PW: The natural inclination in the industry is to take charge of every aspect of your production operation, with the belief that you know the system better than others and can perform all service functions at a lower cost than outsiders. Usually, there will be a better outcome by working with reliable partners for different dimensions of the task at hand. We have taken the sulfur removal problem away from the gas production and transportation tasks, and done so with great success and lower overall costs. The operators can focus their capital and staff on essential items of the business, which they do best, and outsource the peripheral activities to a specialist in that field, lowering the cost at the same time.
HP: What role do corporate relationships play in where you operate?
PW: In our licensing business, we have business relationships around the world. These were built up over time associated with global projects in different countries. For the sulfur removal business, we have mainly worked in the U.S. market, primarily in the Permian Basin. The full-service program we provide requires local personnel available to meet the needs on short notice, and the support of our own partners and sub-contractors. GTC Vorro intends to expand across the full range of geographical areas in the U.S., Canada and other nearby markets, as well.
HP: Can you tell me about the ownership change at GTC Vorro, and what this means for your corporate growth?
PW: GTC Vorro Technology was acquired by a U.S.-based company, MBT Technology. MBT was the former owner of GTC Technology, which developed and licensed a wide offering of refining and petrochemical technologies for the downstream industry. So, GTC Vorro is now poised to expand offerings to the gas production, refining and petrochemical process industries via two divisions: Environmental Services and Technology Licensing. The company will operate in the upstream, midstream and downstream industries with a focus on environmental-friendly solutions for the hydrocarbon processing industry. Along with providing full-service sulfur removal and H2S management, the newly expanded company offerings will include process technology licensing in the refining and petrochemical sectors. Areas of application include gasoline conversion to petrochemicals, non-traditional feedstocks into fuels and petrochemicals, and specialty products from steam cracker pygas, such as hydrocarbon resins.
HP: What are GTC Vorro’s solvent offerings?
PW: We specialize in mixed solvents to gain synergistic benefits in the operation. This has proven to be very effective with BTX separation, for example. GTC Vorro tailors the solvents for the specific application to optimize the performance, and we work with liquid-liquid extraction as well as extractive distillation designs. For clients that have units that are operating well and are not interested in an upgrade, we offer drop-in replacement for most single-component or mixed component solvents at economical pricing.
AUTHOR BIO
Error loading Partial View script (file: ~/Views/MacroPartials/ImagePopup.cshtml)PINTI WANG is the President and CEO of GTC Vorro Technology, and is a visionary entrepreneur with 43 yr of experience in gas processing and mass transfer technologies, along with new technology company startup success.
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