ABSTRACT

The Sicilian sedimentary deposits furnished the world with sulphur as late as the latter part of the 19th Century, but in 1894, the Frasch process was successfully used at Sulphur Dome, Louisiana, and following that date, Frasch sulphur production has been in command of the supply.

In the year 1963, production began to lag behind consumption and has not been able to equal consumption since that time. It is believed that if consumption continues to climb as it has in the last few years, production will not be able to meet the demand for the next four or five years, even if we assume that all present facilities continue to produce at the present rate.

The increase in sulphur prices since 1964, has brought about the entrance of many people into the producing sulphur industry.

There are four countries that produce the bulk of sulphur, and these are Canada, France, Mexico and the United States. The recovered sulphur and Frasch produced sulphur makes up a total of 59.18 percent; whereas, pyrite makes up 26 percent and smelter gases and others about 14.82 percent of the production in 1966.

There are many projects coming into the production picture, but the major part of them will not be producing before 1968. In Louisiana, there are three additional salt domes to be brought into production in 1968, and during 1967 there are five secondary Frasch projects to be on stream in Texas and Louisiana.

Judging from the observed nature of sulphur deposits, they are the result of volcanic or hot spring activity, or are found in close association with anhydrite, gypsum and limestone. The same type of deposits occur in sedimentary deposits as are found in the caprock of salt domes.

If the origin of sulphur is the same on geologic structures as on salt domes, then there may be many additional deposits found, as in Pecos County of West Texas. If they cannot be produced by the Frasch process, then it is a matter of the price of sulphur versus the cost of producing, refining and transportation.

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