Sustainable applications utilizing sulfur, a by-product from oil and gas industry: A state-of-the-art review

This paper presents a review of current routes to utilize sulfur and sulfuric acid. Sulfur is a by-product from sour gas and crude oil processing and the precursor of sulfuric acid. As an oversupply is projected for the near-term future, it is prudent to investigate new sulfur applications and market domains that may facilitate a balancing of supply and demand. This consideration is especially relevant for the UAE, and the Middle East in general, due to the requirement to develop sulfur-rich sour gas resources to meet increasing energy needs. The goal of this review is to understand current sulfur oversupply, not as a problem, but as an opportunity to develop more sustainable technologies. Current routes are reviewed, and possible new applications and their potential as a sulfur sink and a sustainable alternative to existing technologies are discussed. Although sulfur is currently in oversupply, less than 5% positive balance according to Harrisson (2016), it must be noted that it is also a critical component in fertilizer production, having a direct impact on the food supply for the world's growing population. Should the world find itself in a sulfur shortage in the future (which could be possible in the long-term (beyond 2030) as a result of growth in renewable energies, shale gas/oil proliferation and population growth), this would be a much greater problem than the current slight oversupply situation, thus making it important to consider sulfur recoverability as a key factor for any sulfur sink technologies explored.