Extracting RSH, H2S, CO2, and COS from Liquid and Gas Streams

THIOLEX™ | Caustic Extraction of Contaminants

First licensed in 1980, Merichem’s THIOLEX™ uses our proprietary FIBER FILM® Contactor as the mass transfer device, with caustic as the treating reagent in liquid and gas hydrocarbon streams.

THIOLEX™ technology effectively removes mercaptan compounds (RSH), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbonyl sulfide (COS), and elemental sulfur. THIOLEX™ COS, which uses MEA / caustic, is also extremely effective at hydrolyzing Carbonyl Sulfide (COS) to meet a client’s specifications.

Advantages
Combined with the highly efficient FIBER FILM Contactor, THIOLEX™ technology dramatically reduces capital expenditures and space requirements compared to other extraction and treating alternatives.

  • No prewash required (unless caustic make-up is prohibitive)
  • Uses caustic solution to remove impurities
  • Low caustic make-up when combined with REGEN® system
  • Total sulfur reduction
  • Achieves low total sulfur specification
  • Extraction efficiency best between 60°F to 115° F
  • Gives midstream customers more design and operational flexibility to remove H2S and RSH in NGL C3+ streams, increasing sales and profitability
  • Excellent and proven technology for removal of sulfur impurities (RSH, H2S, COS); due to high-efficiency mass transfer, additional separation vessels not required

FFC Plus™ Technology

The latest iteration of Merichem’s FIBER FILM® Contactor technology, FFC Plus™ can increase hydrocarbon treating rates by up to 150 percent as compared to earlier designs.

Learn more about FIBER FILM Contactors »

THIOLEX™ Applications

  • All LPG Streams (Propane, Propylene, Butane, Butylene)
  • Acid / Sour Gas
  • Off-Gas
  • Fuel Gas
  • Naphtha
  • Condensate
  • Crude Distillation Unit
  • FCCU or RCCU
  • Coker, Visbreaker or Hydrocracker
  • NGL
  • Gas Production Field
  • Oil Production Field
  • Oil Sands Heavy Oil Upgrader

How It Works

Because the FIBER FILM® Contactor creates an interfacial surface area orders of magnitude larger than conventional processes, THIOLEX™ extraction technology dramatically improves the efficiency of mass transfer, allowing impurities to easily diffuse between phases with little or no emulsification, carryover or high-pressure drop.

THIOLEX™ + REGEN® ULS THIOLEX™ THIOLEX™ COS

A Leader in Caustic Science

Serving the global oil and gas industry since 1945, Merichem® is the leader in sulfur removal technology, catalysts and service solutions. Our capabilities span from design and engineering to fabrication and testing.

Solving Tomorrow’s Problems Today

Merichem® combines an unsurpassed breadth and depth of experience with a highly focused commitment to our customers. We listen and solve problems, often with industry changing innovation.

Proven Flexibility, Global Reach

For nearly 40 years, Merichem® has licensed its technology solutions all over the world, addressing the industry’s biggest processing and treatment challenges with products and services.

We have licensed more than 250 THIOLEX™ units worldwide

THIOLEX™
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North America

  • 5 AMINEX™ Units
  • 21 AQUAFINING™ Units
  • 126 LO-CAT® Units
  • 70 MERICAT™ Units
  • 13 MERICAT™ II / J Units
  • 2 MERICON™ Units
  • 19 NAPFINING™ Units
  • 26 REGEN® Units
  • 153 THIOLEX™ Units
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South America

  • 3 AMINEX™ Units
  • 14 AQUAFINING™ Units
  • 8 LO-CAT® Units
  • 4 MERICAT™ Units
  • 6 MERICAT™ II / J Units
  • 8 MERICON™ Units
  • 12 NAPFINING™ Units
  • 8 REGEN® Units
  • 26 THIOLEX™ Units
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Europe

  • 6 AMINEX™ Units
  • 23 AQUAFINING™ Units
  • 29 LO-CAT® Units
  • 21 MERICAT™ Units
  • 10 MERICAT™ II / J Units
  • 5 MERICON™ Units
  • 14 NAPFINING™ Units
  • 6 REGEN® Units
  • 43 THIOLEX™ Units
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Africa

  • 1 AQUAFINING™ Units
  • 3 LO-CAT® Units
  • 1 MERICAT™ Units
  • 1 MERICAT™ II / J Units
  • 4 NAPFINING™ Units
  • 1 REGEN® Units
  • 2 THIOLEX™ Units
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Asia

  • 18 AMINEX™ Units
  • 44 AQUAFINING™ Units
  • 52 LO-CAT® Units
  • 59 MERICAT™ Units
  • 22 MERICAT™ II / J Units
  • 20 MERICON™ Units
  • 32 NAPFINING™ Units
  • 20 REGEN® Units
  • 121 THIOLEX™ Units
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Australia

  • 2 AQUAFINING™ Units
  • 9 LO-CAT® Units
  • 2 MERICON™ Units
  • 2 NAPFINING™ Units
  • 1 THIOLEX™ Units