Industry Code: 06501
Sulphur forming and handling (processing) is required to convert liquid sulphur into a solid for transportation and marketing purposes. Liquid sulphur is produced as a by product of natural gas processing when H2S is removed from sour gas. The processed sulphur is sold for the manufacture of products such as sulphuric acid, fertilizer, etc.
Operation Details:
Sulphur processing facilities are normally located in the immediate vicinity of a natural gas processing plant and in most cases are tied directly to the gas plant via a pipeline which transports the liquid sulphur directly from the gas plant to the sulphur forming facility.
There are generally two processes used in sulphur processing - slating or prilling. In the slating process, the liquid sulphur is poured onto conveyor belts which are partially immersed in water. As it moves along the conveyor, it cools and hardens, and is dropped onto another conveyor. As it drops, it breaks into various size pieces.
The second process solidifies the sulphur into "pellets". This is done using large prilling towers, spraying liquid sulphur into the top of the tower and, through the use of fans, solidifying the droplets as they fall to the bottom. Both of these systems are fully automated.
The flakes or prills are then conveyed to a loading facility on site where the sulphur is transferred onto rail cars.
At one time, it was common for liquid sulphur to be poured onto the ground forming huge blocks. This need has diminished due to strong marketability and the evolution to the direct processing method. Existing sulphur blocks must be remelted prior to processing. The remelting procedure uses machinery equipped with hydraulics and a large steel plate which when placed against the block is heated with steam thus melting the blocks into liquid form. This activity is considered part of this industry. Sulphur blocks will be melted down to a "base pad". Base pad clean up will require the use of mobile equipment. Heavy equipment operators engaged for the purpose of base pad clean up are not classified in this industry.
All employers in this industry are members of Energy Safety Canada (ESC). Safety associations represent the interests of employers and promote workplace safety through education and other initiatives. Improved workplace safety can result in fewer claims and help lower premiums. A portion of premiums collected is allocated to the association to support these initiatives.
Underwriting Considerations:
Gas plant operators may undertake sulphur processing and would not require an additional industry when doing so. This industry would cover employers engaged exclusively in sulphur handling and forming, whether they own the processing facility or operate a facility under contract.
Premium Rate History:
Activities:
Processing Sulphur
Remelting of Sulphur
Sulphur, Processing/Remelting
Rate Group History:
Effective January 1, 2015, Industry 06501 – Sulphur Process was moved to Sector 3 – Manufacturing, Processing and Packaging and placed in Rate Group 371100 in recognition of better alignment with other industries with similar manufacturing exposures and experience.
Sulphur forming and handling (processing) is required to convert liquid sulphur into a solid for transportation and marketing purposes. Liquid sulphur is produced as a by product of natural gas processing when H2S is removed from sour gas. The processed sulphur is sold for the manufacture of products such as sulphuric acid, fertilizer, etc.
Premium Rate History:
Activities:
Processing Sulphur
Remelting of Sulphur
Sulphur, Processing/Remelting
Operation Details:
Sulphur processing facilities are normally located in the immediate vicinity of a natural gas processing plant and in most cases are tied directly to the gas plant via a pipeline which transports the liquid sulphur directly from the gas plant to the sulphur forming facility.
There are generally two processes used in sulphur processing - slating or prilling. In the slating process, the liquid sulphur is poured onto conveyor belts which are partially immersed in water. As it moves along the conveyor, it cools and hardens, and is dropped onto another conveyor. As it drops, it breaks into various size pieces.
The second process solidifies the sulphur into "pellets". This is done using large prilling towers, spraying liquid sulphur into the top of the tower and, through the use of fans, solidifying the droplets as they fall to the bottom. Both of these systems are fully automated.
The flakes or prills are then conveyed to a loading facility on site where the sulphur is transferred onto rail cars.
At one time, it was common for liquid sulphur to be poured onto the ground forming huge blocks. This need has diminished due to strong marketability and the evolution to the direct processing method. Existing sulphur blocks must be remelted prior to processing. The remelting procedure uses machinery equipped with hydraulics and a large steel plate which when placed against the block is heated with steam thus melting the blocks into liquid form. This activity is considered part of this industry. Sulphur blocks will be melted down to a "base pad". Base pad clean up will require the use of mobile equipment. Heavy equipment operators engaged for the purpose of base pad clean up are not classified in this industry.
All employers in this industry are members of Energy Safety Canada (ESC). Safety associations represent the interests of employers and promote workplace safety through education and other initiatives. Improved workplace safety can result in fewer claims and help lower premiums. A portion of premiums collected is allocated to the association to support these initiatives.
Underwriting Considerations:
Gas plant operators may undertake sulphur processing and would not require an additional industry when doing so. This industry would cover employers engaged exclusively in sulphur handling and forming, whether they own the processing facility or operate a facility under contract.
Rate Group History:
Effective January 1, 2015, Industry 06501 – Sulphur Process was moved to Sector 3 – Manufacturing, Processing and Packaging and placed in Rate Group 371100 in recognition of better alignment with other industries with similar manufacturing exposures and experience.