What is the main purpose of the Sulfur Recovery Units?

The main purpose of Sulfur Recovery Units (SRUs) is to process hydrogen sulfide, which is a common byproduct in refining operations. These units are crucial in converting hydrogen sulfide into elemental sulfur, thereby removing it from the refining process and preventing its release into the environment. The conversion not only helps in managing harmful emissions but also aligns with strict environmental regulations aimed at reducing sulfur emissions.

While other options may mention processes related to hydrocarbons or energy, they do not accurately reflect the specific role of SRUs. For instance, converting heavy hydrocarbons into light products relates more to cracking processes, and generating electricity from sulfur compounds is not within the functional scope of SRUs. Ensuring environmental compliance is certainly a beneficial outcome of the processes in SRUs, but it is not the primary focus; instead, the direct processing of hydrogen sulfide is central to their function. Therefore, the correct perspective is that SRUs specifically target the handling and conversion of hydrogen sulfide to ensure safety and compliance within refining operations.