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Understanding Sulfur by MR. THOMAS FELLEISEN /HDG &KHPLFDO; (QJLQHHU IRU %XON /LTXLGV 8 6 &RDVW; *XDUG +D]DUGRXV 0DWHULDOV 6WDQGDUGV 'LYLVLRQ What is it? Sulfur is an element that appears below oxygen and above selenium in the periodic table. Its use can be traced back to ancient civilization, where it was used to create the color "yellow" in cave paintings. Sulfur is a component of gunpowder and fertilizers, has applications as a fungicide and fumigant, and is used to make sulfuric acid. Today, the substance is removed from crude oil, natu- ral gas, and tar sands to produce less pollution. How is it shipped? Sulfur is shipped as a bulk liquid or solid. As a bulk liquid, the element is shipped on tank ships in its molten state. The tanks are heated from 260 to 275 degrees Fahrenheit. There are two protocols for shipping sulfur in solid IRUP )RUPHG VXOIXU SURGXFHG LQ SHWUROHXP UHÀ QHU ies is treated to inhibit dust formation, and is sprayed with water or a surfactant during loading, as sulfur dust can be explosive. The other shippable form of the solid is called crushed-lump/coarse-grained sulfur. This typically comes from desulfurizing fuel or is found near volca- nic sites. This type is more prone to generating sulfur dust. Note: Fine-grained sulfur may not be shipped VLQFH LW LV SURQH WR FDWFKLQJ À UH What are the hazards? In its molten state, sulfur is a grade E combustible liq- uid and category Z pollutant; the solid state has no categorization.1 Sulfur is easily ignited by friction; sulfur dust con- À QHG LQ D VKLS·V KROG LV GDQJHURXV DQG FDQ H[SORGH Also, sulfur dioxide and other oxides are considered air pollutants and are toxic when airborne. 6XOIXU FDQ JHQHUDWH WZR RWKHU GDQJHURXV JDVHV³ K\GURJHQ VXOÀ GH DQG FDUERQ GLVXOÀ GH +\GURJHQ VXOÀ GH FDQ FDXVH EUDLQ KHPRUUKDJHV LQ small quantities. Ironically, a person can lose the ability to smell the chemical after initial exposure, heightening the exposure risk. Further, hydrogen sul- À GH FDQ UHDFW ZLWK UXVW LQ ORZ R[\JHQ HQYLURQPHQWV WR IRUP S\URSKRULF LURQ VXOÀ GH 7KHVH VXOÀ GHV UHYHUW WR UXVW ZKHQ R[\JHQ LV VXEVHTXHQWO\ LQWURGXFHG³D reaction that generates considerable heat. &DUERQ; GLVXOÀ GH VSRQWDQHRXVO\ FRPEXVWV DW WKH FDU riage temperature of molten sulfur. Although this WHQGHQF\ GHFUHDVHV ZLWK LQFUHDVLQJ K\GURJHQ VXOÀ GH concentrations, this is cold comfort, given the dangers RI K\GURJHQ VXOÀ GH What is the Coast Guard doing about it? Sulfur tank vessels must follow special rules for EDUJHV LQ &)5 3DUW HUV WKH UXOHV DUH LQ &)5 Maritime Organization's bulk chemical codes. About the author Mr. Thomas Felleisen is the lead chemical engineer for bulk liquids DQG JDVHV LQ WKH +D]DUGRXV 0DWHULDOV 6WDQGDUGV 'LYLVLRQ DW 8 6 &RDVW; *XDUG KHDGTXDUWHUV +H VHUYHG RQ WKH ,QWHUQDWLRQDO 0DULWLPH 2UJDQL]DWLRQ·V VXEFRPPLWWHH RQ EXON OLTXLGV DQG JDVHV DQG LV WKH GHOHJDWH WR LWV ZRUNLQJ JURXS RQ HYDOXDWLRQ RI VDIHW\ DQG SROOXWLRQ KD]DUGV RI FKHPLFDOV +H DOVR UHSUHVHQWV WKH &RDVW; *XDUG RQ WKH National Fire Protection Association technical committee for lique- À HG QDWXUDO JDV Endnote: 1. ,QWHUQDWLRQDO &RGH; IRU WKH &RQVWUXFWLRQ; DQG (TXLSPHQW RI 6KLSV &DUU;\LQJ 'DQJHURXV &KHPLFDOV; LQ %XON ,%& &RGH; HGLWLRQ In arguably the most notable ship casualty attributable to sulfur, the SS Marine Sulphur Queen disappeared, in February 1963, on its way from Beaumont, Texas, to Norfolk, Va. All 39 crewmembers were lost. Although the hull has never been found, debris from the vessel was found off the Dry Tortugas. A Coast Guard Marine Board examined cargo records and ship design information and determined that the ship was almost always overloaded and very frequently experienced sul- fur fi res. It is assumed the vessel caught fi re and sank. )RU VHOI SURSHOOHG WDQN DQG WKH ,QWHUQDWLRQDO 78 Proceedings Spring 2012 www.uscg.mil/proceedings Chemical of the Quarter