From Liquid Sulfur to Sulfur Pastilles

Previously, sulfur products at Dung Quat Refinery were produced in liquid form, maintained at high temperatures ranging from 120°C to 150°C to ensure stability. However, storing and transporting liquid sulfur required specialized equipment, incurred significant costs, and posed various safety risks. Moreover, the consumption of liquid sulfur was limited by transportation distance and infrastructure constraints. To overcome these limitations, BSR invested in a sulfur pastillation and packaging system located at the Sulfur Recovery Unit (SRU).

The pastillation system employs cutting-edge "Pastillation" technology, which uses a steel-belt cooling process. In this system, liquid sulfur, after filtration, is pumped into a dropformer device that creates evenly sized droplets on a moving steel conveyor belt. These droplets are rapidly cooled and solidified into hemispherical pastilles. The finished product is then collected, semi-automatically packaged, and transported via conveyor belts to the dispatch area. The entire production line operates in a closed, safe, dust-free, and environmentally friendly manner.

Increasing Commercial Value

Sulfur pastilles offer several significant advantages over liquid sulfur, such as easier packaging, transportation using standard containers, long-term storage, reduced fire and explosion risks, slower oxidation, and no sulfur dust dispersion into the environment. These benefits allow sulfur pastilles to access broader markets, especially industries requiring high technical standards.

The sulfur pastilles produced by BSR are solid, yellow, uniform in size, with a purity level of ≥ 99.5% and moisture content ≤ 0.5%. They are packaged in 1-ton jumbo bags (or per customer requirements), making transportation and storage more convenient. The current operating capacity of the pastillation system is approximately 13 tons per 8-hour shift (with an 8-hour daily production schedule). According to technical assessments, extending operating hours to 24/7 could increase output to 35 - 39 tons per day, allowing flexible market supply.

Sulfur pastilles from Dung Quat Refinery can be utilized in numerous industries, including the production of DAP/NPK fertilizers, sulfuric acid, pesticides, paper, rubber, metallurgy… Domestically, BSR is actively engaging with chemical plants and companies with suitable geographical locations and infrastructure. For future exports, key markets such as China, India, and the ASEAN region have been identified as priorities due to their stable sulfur demand and long-term consumption potential.

BSR has developed a professional sales strategy for sulfur pastilles, including signing long-term contracts with major domestic partners, increasing export proportions as production stabilizes, and operating a specialized logistics chain from the refinery to seaports. This approach aims to optimize delivery costs and maintain product quality. In the future, BSR also plans to explore the development of sulfur derivatives, leveraging existing advantages to enhance added value and diversify its product portfolio.

The introduction of sulfur pastilles represents the culmination of research, innovation, and the effective application of technology by BSR's staff. This achievement is not only a technical milestone but also a clear testament to BSR's sustainable development strategy. It underscores the company’s commitment to maximizing the value of by-products in refining and petrochemical processes, aligning with cost optimization, increased efficiency, and market expansion objectives in the new era.

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