Process for the melting of sulfur
AssigneeCominco Ltd.
InventorsCharles R. Kirby, Donald R. McKay
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Abstract
A method for the removal of moisture associated with sulfur and for the melting of solid sulfur. A flow of molten sulfur is circulated through a mixing device in a substantially spiral flow wherein the circulating molten sulfur forms a continuous vortex of molten sulfur. Particulate solid sulfur with or without associated moisture, either as such or in the form of an aqueous slurry or moisture-containing liquid sulfur is fed into the vortex of circulating molten sulfur. Sulfur is discharged from the mixing device and any associated moisture is evaporated and separates from the sulfur. Molten sulfur substantially free of moisture is recovered.
Claims15
A method for separating moisture associated with sulfur at atmospheric pressure which comprises the steps of establishing a source of molten sulfur, said molten sulfur having a temperature of at least about 120.degree. C., circulating molten sulfur at a temperature in the range of about 120.degree. to 160.degree. C. from said source through a mixing device and establishing in said mixing device a substantially spiral flow of circulating molten sulfur having a continuous vortex extending axially through the mixing device by feeding said circulating molten sulfur tangentially to said spiral flow, said spiral flow having a centrifugally accelerated velocity comprising a tangential component, increasing said tangential component of the velocity while maintaining the vortex, feeding sulfur having associated moisture in the range of 0 to 70% by weight into said vortex of circulating molten sulfur, discharging molten sulfur at a temperature of not less than 120.degree. C. from said mixing device into the said source of molten sulfur and recovering molten sulfur having a temperature of not less than about 120.degree. C. substantially free of associated moisture.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.