SULFUR RECOVERY UNITS (SRU) The demands on SRUs (Sulfur Recovery Units) today are more severe than any time in the past: higher operating temperatures, more throughput, O2 enrichment, swing operations (part time air/O2), faster startups/shutdowns, stricter emission limits, etc. Materials and design approaches of yesteryear often result in unreliable performance and extended and expensive maintenance requirements. The size of today’s units combined with higher operating temperatures and swings, as well as the vessels’ high and low temperature corrosion points, create complex issues requiring careful consideration to optimize refractory reliability and performance. Some of the critical factors that affect refractory reliability and life cycle cost include: Air operation &/or O2 enrichment Vessel size or diameter Shape or geometry (ie: heads, cones, transitions, flat walls, etc) Hotface material quality & thickness Backup material quality & thickness Lining construction details Shell corrosion points (high and low) Burner harmonics &/or flame impingement High temperature refractory deformation Checkerwall/choke ring construction details Reducing atmospheres External thermal protection system Expansion accommodation (radially and linearly) Keying action (self-supported lining designs) Upset conditions (thermal and pressure related events) Temperature measurement means (internal and external) Quality and skill of the installation contractor Thorpe’s engineers combine over 60 years of experience in material science and accepted engineering practices to develop engineered linings. We are not limited to any single supplier for material options but are able to design solutions utilizing the most appropriate materials for the job. Thorpe’s designs and recommendations are based upon solid engineering principles and real-life findings from our field inspection and maintenance activities. Our capabilities include: Refractory failure analysis Existing system evaluations (for weak links in the lining) Heat transfer calculations for different surface configurations and orientations Proprietary thermal software modeling program (radiant and convective heat loss) for cylindrical horizontal shrouded vessels Detailed AUTOCAD engineered construction/installation drawings Complicated brick lining designs (heads, cones, connections, nozzles, mixers, etc.) Proprietary high temperature testing regime for severe service brick products Expansion allowances and joint designs Lining stabilization systems Anchoring systems and layout details Stress calculations Bill of Materials Field Technical Advisors to assist the installation of our designs Reaction furnaces have the capability of melting the best refractory materials available today. This includes air operated units during upset conditions or uncontrolled operation. Thorpe’s goal is to optimize lining systems via: Three Keys to Reliability Best Material Selection Engineered Lining Proper Installation Thorpe has been optimizing linings for Sulfur Recovery Units since the mid 1950’s! Downloads 3 KEYS SRU FLYER SRU RESUME THORPE SPECIALTY SERVICES CORPORATION 6833 Kirbyville Street Houston, TX 77033 713.644.1247 EMPLOYMENT Find our more information on available careers. LEARN MORE