Removal of hydrogen sulfide from elemental sulfur by a countercurrent wet steam process
AssigneeChevron Research Company
InventorT. H. Gouw
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Hydrogen sulfide is removed from molten petroleum byproduct sulfur to levels below 1 ppm by weight by contacting the sulfur in countercurrent with wet steam. Preferably, the wet steam is sour water steam and the contacting is carried out in a packed bed column.
Claims6
A process for reducing the hydrogen sulfide content of hydrogen sulfide-contaminated petroleum byproduct elemental sulfur from 20 to 2000 pm by weight to less than 1 ppm by weight which comprises passing the elemental sulfur in liquid phase downward in countercurrent through upward flowing water and steam in a single contacting at a temperature of from 250.degree. F. to 310.degree. F., a pressure adequate to prevent total vaporization of the water and a water plus steam usage of from 0.3 to 2 pounds per pound of sulfur, wherein the water and steam is partially vaporized sour water having a pH of 4 to 7.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.