CASE STUDY – High Capacity Direct Fired Thermal Oxidizer for VOC & H₂S Waste Gas Control

A natural gas processing facility in Aceh, Indonesia, initiated a production expansion to increase gas output to 60 MMSCFD. As production capacity grew, the volume of VOC- and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S)-containing waste gas also increased. The facility required a reliable emissions control system capable of handling higher process volumes while maintaining safe, continuous operation.

The Challenge

The project required treatment of 12.294 MMSCFD of waste gas containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). VOC emissions contribute to ground-level ozone formation, while H₂S is highly toxic, corrosive, and hazardous at low concentrations.

During thermal oxidation, H₂S is converted into sulfur dioxide (SO₂). Although this significantly reduces toxicity, the resulting sulfur compounds create a highly corrosive operating environment. Without appropriate material selection, corrosion can shorten equipment life and increase maintenance requirements.

The client required an emissions control solution that could withstand these conditions while supporting reliable, uninterrupted plant operation.

The Solution

Ship & Shore Environmental engineered a custom Direct-Fired Thermal Oxidizer (DFTO) designed to process 12.294 MMSCFD of waste gas. The system thermally oxidizes VOC emissions while converting H₂S into SO₂ under controlled high-temperature combustion.

To protect equipment exposed to sulfur-bearing compounds, critical internal surfaces were constructed with specialized corrosion-resistant coatings to improve durability and long-term reliability.

The DFTO also incorporates a 1+N induced draft fan configuration, providing full operational redundancy. If one fan is taken offline for maintenance or an unexpected event occurs, the standby unit automatically maintains system airflow, minimizing production interruptions.

Results

The completed system delivers:

• Reliable treatment of VOC- and H₂S-containing waste gas
• Effective thermal oxidation of VOC emissions
• Controlled conversion of H₂S into SO₂
• Enhanced corrosion resistance for sulfur service
• Continuous operation through redundant 1+N fan design
• Reliable support for increased plant production capacity

Conclusion

Ship & Shore Environmental delivered a corrosion-resistant DFTO engineered for the demanding conditions of natural gas processing. The system supports increased production capacity while providing dependable emissions control, protecting critical equipment, and maintaining continuous operation.