In-line sulfur extraction process

Abstract

A method of removing hydrogen sulfide from a hydrocarbon stream such as natural gas or refinery off gas, including those from catalytic crackers, hydrocrackers, hydrotreaters, chemical plant processes, etc. Sulfur dioxide from an external source is directly introduced into the hydrocarbon stream to promote a Claus reaction to remove the hydrogen sulfide by converting it into elemental sulfur and water. The hydrocarbons in the stream are unaffected by the process.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.