Sulfur

Sulfur: History, Technology, Applications and Industry, Third Edition focuses on methods of production and their applications during various stages of industrial and technological use. Commercial sulfuric acid production from the early 16th century until today is reviewed, spanning the Ancient and Renaissance periods, the Industrial Age (to which sulfur was vitally important), and the Sulfur War of 1840. The book introduces 'the Sulfur Age' and the processes of this period- such as the Nordhausen, Bell, and Leblanc methods- then goes onto review native sulfur production in Sicily, once a major supplier to the world. The 'Frasch method' is also covered in detail. Moving to present day, the book presents 'recovered' sulfur derived from sour gas and oil which constitutes 90% of today's elemental sulfur supply, and looks to Canada, a powerhouse supplier of recovered sulfur. An entire chapter is devoted to modern-day sulfur entrepreneurs, with a profile of various investors (from the reluctant to the private and institutional). Finally, the book forecasts the sulfur industry's future and potential supply sources, such as worldwide oil sands. - Covers the latest trends in sulfur production and evaluates the costs and benefits of new processes - Discusses existing practices for removal of sulfur, a common contaminant, from oil and natural gas - Provides a fascinating and detailed history of sulfur processing technology

Gerald Kutney is Managing Director of Sixth Element Sustainable Management, a renewable energy technologies consultancy, and was until recently Adjunct Professor of Environmental Sciences at the University of Northern British Columbia, Canada. He obtained his Ph.D. in organosulfur chemistry from the University of Toronto, and worked for CIL (ICI Canada) on elemental sulfur. He was president and CEO of an elemental sulfur fertilizer company and founder of an elemental sulfur logistics firm. His work has resulted in development of new technological processes, patented innovations, and scientific publications, all in the area of sulfur.