Start Date
June 2011

Background
This participant-based project was launched as a follow up to the H₂S Measurement in Crude project with the goal of developing methods for understanding H₂S in vapor phase based on liquid phase data. Initially the work attempted to estimate vapor levels from liquid data modeling. That approach was found inadequate and the project switched focus to investigating and develop methods for the direct measurement in vapor.

This project became a CCQTA sponsored project in 2015.

Milestones as of August 2023

• Assess the capabilities of the data/model obtained from the Sour Service Pipeline Industry group. Model determined to be inadequate. 2012 - 2013
  
• Refocus efforts on H₂S evolution risk led to the development of a proof of concept H₂S evolution field testing unit (AITF apparatus). Preliminary results looked promising however the equipment was too large and cumbersome for practical application in the field. 2014
  
• Explore the development of a miniaturized unit. Secure CCQTA funding for Wilson Analytical to proceed with proof of concept work. 2015
  
• Obtain additional grants funding support from Engage/IRAP & CCQTA. 2015 – 2016.
  
• Undertake design & optimization work on H₂S detector and H₂S isolation MOF. 2016 -2017
  
• Obtain additional funding support from Transport Canada. 2017
  
• Working prototype (alpha) completed and preliminary lab trials indicate show promising results. 2018
  
• Beta prototype completed in August 2018 with upgraded electronics and detector.
  
• Extended trial completed in September and October 2018 with beta prototype testing ~36 crude streams to get baseline H₂S evolution data. Trial included: condensate, synthetic, conventional sweet, conventional sour, and dilbit.
  
• Trial results illustrated the wide variability in H₂S between streams and between liquid and vapor phase results. 2018
  
• Next generation prototype “Peter” developed in the summer of 2019 underwent functional testing between September and November. Initial results looked promising however there was still evidence of H₂S adsorption impacting successive results.
  
• Extensive materials testing was conducted to identify materials that may be adsorbing H₂S and a revised version is ready for additional functional testing. 2019
  
• Performance testing using gas standards for detection limits, linearity, dilution performance, etc… was completed in May 2020. Data was presented at the June 2020 project meeting. (See meeting minutes for details).
  
• Preliminary detection limits indicates an LOQ of 5ppm and upper detection limit of 10,000 ppm.
• Preliminary repeatability ranges between 0.2 ppm at 1.8 ppm H₂S and 33 ppm at 140 ppm H₂S. Results are reported on a ppm (mol/mol) basis.
  

• No further progress on the H₂S analyzer to date.
  
• Project was moved to “Project Maintenance Activities” as opposed to a stand-alone project.