Method for improving the long-term stability of H.sub.2 S absorption-oxidation process solutions
AssigneeUnion Oil Company of California
InventorsDennis D. Delaney, Hugh W. Gowdy
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The long term stability of process solutions used in H.sub.2 S-to-sulfur absorption/oxidation process, wherein the incoming hydrogen sulfide-containing gas stream is contaminated with hydrocarbons and/or organic oxygenated compounds and the process is generating an excessive amount of thiosulfate in the process solution, is improved by a method comprising contacting the gas stream and/or the process solution with charcoal to remove both the contamination and at least a portion of the thiosulfate therefrom.
Claims36
A hydrogen sulfide removal process wherein an incoming hydrogen sulfide-containing gas stream, contaminated with one or more organic contaminants selected from the group consisting of alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, hydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof, is contacted with a circulating, regenerable aqueous washing solution in which said washing solution first absorbs said hydrogen sulfide and then oxidizes it into sulfur particles, with said sulfur particles being removed and recovered, the process further comprising the steps of:
- first contacting at least a portion of said incoming gas stream with charcoal and removing said contaminants from said portion of said gas stream;
- and
- then contacting said portion of said gas stream with said washing solution.
A hydrogen sulfide removal process wherein a hydrogen sulfide-containing gas stream, contaminated with one or more organic compounds selected from the group consisting of alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, hydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof, is contacted with a circulating, regenerable aqueous washing solution, said washing solution first absorbing said hydrogen sulfide and then oxidizing it into sulfur particules, with said sulfur particles being removed and recovered, the process further generating thiosulfate in said circulating solution, the process further comprising the steps of:
- separating and removing at least a portion of said washing solution from circulation after said sulfur has been removed;
- contacting said portion with charcoal and removing at least 25% of said organic contamination and at least a portion of said thiosulfate therefrom;
- and
- returning at least some of said portion of circulation.
A hydrogen sulfide removal process wherein an incoming hydrogen sulfide-containing gas stream, contaminated with one or more organic compounds selected from the group consisting of alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, hydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof, is contacted with a circulating, regenerable aqueous washing solution in which said washing solution first absorbs said hydrogen sulfide and then oxidizes it into sulfur particles, with said sulfur particles being removed and recovered, said process further forming thiosulfate, the process further comprising the steps of:
- contacting at least a portion of said gas
- stream with a first bed of charcoal prior to contacting said gas with said washing solution;
- separating and removing at least a portion of said washing solution from circulation after said sulfur particles have been removed;
- contacting said portion of washing solution with a second bed of activated charcoal and removing at least 25% of said organic contamination and at least a portion of said thiosulfate therefrom;
- and
- returning and reusing said portion of washing solution in said process.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.