Comparison of different processes for preventing deposition of elemental sulfur in natural gas pipelines: A review

• An analysis of the desulfurization processes of gas streams in pipelines is proposed.
• The main processes are absorption, adsorption, use of membranes, and conversion.
• Adsorption methods are the most suitable, even at low concentrations of Sulfur.
• Adsorbents such as iron oxides and activated carbon show potential for that.

The presence of S8 in natural gas streams has caused many problems at the delivery points and measuring equipment. There are many treatment processes, including absorption, adsorption, membranes and conversion processes. In this work, a literature review was carried out on the main methods available for removal of sulfur compounds from gas streams as well as an analysis of the feasibility of its application in pipelines. The results showed that, due to the complexity of the processes and to the costs involved in implementation and maintenance, the mechanisms of control by adsorption are the most attractive for use in pipelines.