Numerical study of the burner parameters on the thermal field in a sulfur recovery unit thermal reactor

Department of Aeronautical Engineering, National Formosa University, Taiwan

^a Corresponding author: clyeh@nfu.edu.tw

Abstract

A sulfur recovery unit (SRU) thermal reactor is the most important equipment in a sulfur plant and is negatively affected by high temperature operations. In this paper, the effect of burner parameters, including the clearance of the acid gas tip and the inlet air swirler angle, on the thermal field in a SRU thermal reactor are investigated numerically, with the aim to reduce the high temperature inside the thermal reactor and to ensure an acceptable sulfur recovery. The simulation results show that the burner with a smaller clearance of the acid gas tip produces a lower temperature, a lower exit SO₂ mole fraction and higher exit S₂ and H₂S mole fractions. Among the clearancs of the acid gas tip investigated, the horizontal clearance of 152.4mm and vertical clearance of 240mm yield the lowest temperature, exit SO₂ mole fraction and highest exit S₂, H₂S mole fractions. The burner with a smaller inlet air swirler angle produces a higher temperature, a higher exit SO₂ mole fraction and lower exit S₂ and H₂S mole fractions. Among the swirler angles investigated, 60° yields the lowest temperature, exit SO₂ mole fraction and highest exit S₂ , H₂S mole fractions.