Why Do Refineries and Plants Need to Follow Proper Mercury Decontamination?

1. Why Do Refineries and Plants Need to Follow Proper Mercury Decontamination? Mercury is a toxic element which is commonly found in almost all oil and gas plants. It can get accumulated in pipe systems and plants easily, and may lead to cause considerable corrosion. This is not the only trouble related to mercury decontamination. Another issue associated with it is that it can lead to intoxication of catalysts such as platinum en palladium. Apart from that, the staff working in plant can also get exposed to mercury during maintenance activities. Therefore, mercury needs to be closely monitored for protecting the workers from the potential effects on human health. It is important for the refineries and oil and gas plant owners to hire the right services for mercury decontamination. Plants hire expert support for mechanical engineering servicesto conduct repair and maintenance, hence, the mercury decontamination should also be paid equal attention. The decontamination process in the refineries generally consists of two types: Steam decontamination Chemical decontamination Irrespective of the type of method used for decontamination, the concentration of mercury should be checked using the reading instrument at the end of each decontamination cycle. The process of mercury decontamination needs to be repeated several times till the time readings reach an acceptable level or standardsset by industrial norms. Mercury is a chemical of global concern because of its toxic properties. The concentration of mercury in crude oil and natural gas varies. The release of chemicals in the environment can occur due to leaks and spills during operations and maintenance. It is therefore suggested to shutdown the refineries during the decontamination process. The decontamination procedure After shutdown, the remaining feeds in the production system will be drained in the underground storage tanks to start the decontamination process. For a unit with high concentration of mercury, chemical decontamination is used. The chemical is pumped in the cleaning loop for removal of residual oil, hydrogen sulfide, benzene, combustible gasses, and pyrophoric iron sulfides along with mercury accumulated on the surface of the parts. The system is then flushed with water. On the other hand, for a unit with high hydrocarbon compounds but low mercury content, the steam decontamination method would be used. The process remains the same but hot water and steam are used for flushing instead of chemicals. No matter which type of the method is used for decontamination, the process is repeated continuously until toxic chemicals reach a bearable level. Explore the web for more information and suggestions on choosing the right mechanical engineering services for your plant and enjoy hassle-free operations.