Mitigate elemental sulfur condensation in a compressor knockout drum

Produced natural gas must be compressed for export and further processing on the main processing platform. When sour gas (i.e., gas containing H2S) is compressed, the compressor discharge gas is used as a seal gas that is routed to the inlet of the first stage of the compressor. The bleed of sour gas being used as seal gas from higher pressure to lower pressure causes the formation of elemental monoclinic sulfur (S8) (as a gas) by the condensation of H2S gas. Monoclinic sulfur (melting point = 119°C and density = 1,980 kg/m3) is stable between 96°C and 119°C. It is insoluble in water but soluble in carbon disulfide (CS2). Monoclinic sulfur, also called prismatic sulfur, has S8 ring molecule