Process Units
Process Unit Valve Reference

Valves for the Sulfur Recovery Unit (SRU)

Converts H2S-rich acid gas into elemental sulfur via the Claus process. High-temperature reaction furnace plus molten-sulfur handling gives this unit two distinct, demanding valve environments in one train.

Oil & Gas RefiningGas Processing

What are the critical valves in a Sulfur Recovery Unit?

Molten sulfur draw-off (Gate Valves) — Steam-jacketed, full-bore valves to prevent sulfur solidification and plugging. Acid gas feed isolation (Ball Valves) — Sour-service isolation ahead of the reaction furnace. Tail gas incineration line (Butterfly Valves) — Large-bore isolation to the thermal oxidiser / incinerator.

Critical Valve Points

Molten sulfur draw-off

Gate Valves

Steam-jacketed, full-bore valves to prevent sulfur solidification and plugging.

Acid gas feed isolation

Ball Valves

Sour-service isolation ahead of the reaction furnace.

Tail gas incineration line

Butterfly Valves

Large-bore isolation to the thermal oxidiser / incinerator.

Unit-Level Valve Strategy

  • Molten sulfur is solid below roughly 115-120C - lines and valves need steam or electric tracing, and valve selection favours full-bore, self-draining designs that will not plug on a trace failure
  • Acid-gas and tail-gas paths carry the same sour-service material rules as the amine unit upstream
  • Reaction-furnace refractory-lined piping limits valve placement to cooler sections of the train

Equipment in this Unit

Fluids in this Unit

Governing Standards

Related process units

Reviewed by Process Engineering, Vajra Industrial SolutionsDiscipline: Valve Service SpecificationLast reviewed: 20 June 2026

Connected Engineering

Sourcing valves for a Sulfur Recovery Unit?

Send your unit valve list — we supply the full set (Gate Valves, Ball Valves, Butterfly Valves) with certification matched to NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156, in one PO.

Engineering references