Sulfide scavenging using biodegradable complexes

Abstract

A method for removal of sulfide from a stream, the method comprising preparing a metal-chelant complex, designated M-Yn, where M is a divalent or trivalent cation, Y comprises a gluconic acid, glucaric acid or derivative thereof, and n is from about 1 to about 3; contacting a mixture comprising M-Yn and a base with a sulfide stream under conditions suitable for the formation of a metal-sulfide species; and contacting the metal-sulfide species with an oxidizing agent to form a soluble metal sulfide species. A method for removal of sulfide from a stream, the method comprising preparing a sulfide scavenging mixture comprising a base and a metal-complex characterized by Structure (I); contacting the sulfide scavenging mixture with a sulfide stream under conditions suitable for the formation of a metal-sulfide species; and contacting the metal-sulfide species with an oxidizing agent to form a soluble metal sulfide species.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.