據阿拉伯貿易網2023年6月28日阿布扎比報道，在日前召開的2023中東硫會議（MEScon）上參與調查問卷的92%的商業和技術領導者表示，含硫碳氫化合物在能源轉型中發揮著重要作用。

此次會議由阿布扎比國家石油公司（Adnoc）主辦，由全球大宗商品商業智能公司CRU和含硫碳氫化合物和硫專業咨詢公司UniverSUL Consulting（UniverSUL）組織，會議討論了硫行業面臨的最緊迫的機遇和挑戰。

人們普遍認為，含硫碳氫化合物將在能源轉型中發揮重要作用，這標志著人們不再認為硫是碳氫化合物加工過程中的低價值副產品。

硫的作用

考慮到硫在農業中的作用，當被問及能源轉型中含硫碳氫化合物的最大機遇時，49%的受訪者認為硫可以供應給化肥行業，以支持人口增長和世界糧食供應的穩定，這或許并不令人意外。

但有趣的是，近四分之一（23%）的受訪者表示，硫化氫可以作為生產氫氣的原材料，最終可能成為替代化石燃料的重要手段。

UniverSUL總經理Angie Slavens評論道：“這一發現反映了行業內部對該事件的明確看法，以及行業所理解的現實。也就是說，硫將繼續是我們未來的重要組成部分，從化肥到一般工業，再到電動汽車電池，各行各業都對硫有需求——所有這些都是確保公正能源轉型的關鍵。鑒于中東地區將繼續在硫供應中發揮越來越重要的作用，在中東舉辦此次會議至關重要?！?/p>

對硫的依賴

調查受訪者認為市場對硫的依賴日益增加；70%的受訪者認為，硫的長期短缺對世界的危害要大于長期供應過剩。有趣的是，84%的受訪者無法想象未來全球硫供應不再由石油和天然氣回收主導，因為目前石油和天然氣占全球硫供應的95%以上。

CRU硫和硫酸業務首席分析師Peter Harrisson表示：“這一發現表明，未來幾年行業將采取謹慎的平衡措施。”他補充說：“對硫的需求沒有減弱的跡象。事實上，需求還在增加。盡管與此同時，全球對可再生能源的關注也在增加，這反過來又阻礙了硫的生產。為了確保這些可持續發展的努力繼續下去，需要在效率和工藝方面進行投資，以降低當前油氣生產的碳強度，同時探索新的工藝方案和技術，使硫進入市場的方式多樣化?！?/p>

多個主題

2023MEScon會議探討了多個主題，舉辦了小組討論，海報展及專題報告，研討會和技術展示，會議的主要主題包括： 

* 展望硫化氫在能源轉型中的新價值

* 邁向硫的凈零回收

* 對資產壽命和性能的操作考慮和設計創新

* 可持續地達到二氧化硫排放目標

此次會議在阿布扎比的康拉德阿提哈德大廈舉行，吸引了來自23個國家89家公司超過650名與會者。下一次年會將于2024年5月舉行。

李峻 譯自 阿拉伯貿易網

原文如下：

92pc believe sour hydrocarbons have role in energy transition

Sour hydrocarbons have a role to play in the energy transition, according to 92% of business and technical leaders surveyed at The Middle East Sulphur Conference (MEScon) 2023.

Hosted by Adnoc and organised by global commodities business intelligence company CRU, and sour hydrocarbon and sulphur specialist consulting firm UniverSUL Consulting (UniverSUL), the conference debated the most pressing opportunities and challenges that lay ahead for the sulphur industry. 

The overwhelming sentiment that sour hydrocarbons will play an important role in the energy transition signals a departure from the perception of sulphur being a low-value by-product of hydrocarbon processing. 

Sulphur's role

When questioned as to the greatest opportunities for sour hydrocarbons in the energy transition, perhaps unsurprisingly, given sulphur’s role in the agriculture industry, 49% cited its supply to the fertiliser industry to support population growth and stabilisation of world food supply. 

Interestingly, nearly one quarter (23%) said H2S could serve as a raw material for the production of hydrogen, which may eventually become an important means of replacing fossil fuels in hard-to-abate industries.  

Angie Slavens, Managing Director at UniverSUL commented: “This finding reflects a clear perception from the event and a reality understood by the industry. That is, that sulphur will continue to be a vital part of our future, with its demand throughout a huge range of industries, from fertilisers to general industry to EV batteries – all key to ensuring a just energy transition. Hosting the event in the Middle East is essential, given the increasingly significant role the region will continue to play in sulphur supply.” 

Storage

Survey respondents pointed to an increasing reliance on sulphur, with 70% believing that a prolonged sulphur shortage would be more detrimental for the world than a prolonged oversupply. Interestingly though, 84% could not envision a future where global sulphur supply is not dominated by recovery from oil and gas, given currently it accounts for more than 95% of sulphur supply. 

“This insight exemplifies a careful balancing act that will unfold in the industry for years to come,” said Peter Harrisson, Principal Analyst for Sulphur and Sulphuric Acid at CRU. He added: “The demand for sulphur shows no sign of letting up. In fact, it is increasing. Though at the same time, so too are global efforts to uptick focus on renewable energy sources, which in turn hampers sulphur production. To ensure these sustainability efforts stay on course, investment is required in efficiencies and processes to lower carbon intensity of current oil and gas production, while exploring novel process schemes and technologies that will diversify how sulphur comes to market."

Multiple topics

MEScon 2023 explored multiple topics, hosting panel discussions, poster sessions/spotlights, workshops and technical showcases on key themes including: 

*Envisioning new value for H2S in the energy transition 

*Moving towards net zero in sulphur recovery 

*Operation considerations and design innovations for asset longevity and performance 

*Meeting SO2 emissions targets sustainably 

The event took place at the Conrad, Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi, and welcomed more than 650 attendees from 89 companies and 23 countries. The annual conference will take place once again in May 2024.