Method of desulfurizing a hydrocarbon gas by selective partial oxidation and adsorption
AssigneeEngelhard Corporation
InventorsJordan K. Lampert, Lawrence Shore, Robert J. Farrauto, Shinn Hwang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A hydrocarbon gas such as methane and LPG is desulfurized in the presence of oxygen and an oxidation catalyst to convert sulfur compounds in the gas to sulfur oxides. The sulfur oxides are then trapped downstream of the oxidation by an adsorbent. The amount of oxygen added to the hydrocarbon gas to promote oxidation is such that the sulfur compounds are selectively oxidized and the oxidation of the hydrocarbon gas is minimized to reduce hydrogen formation.
Claims29
A method for desulfurizing a hydrocarbon gas, the hydrocarbon gas comprising a hydrocarbon and a sulfur compound, the method comprising:
- (a) increasing the O2 content of the hydrocarbon gas to establish an O2/C mole ratio in the hydrocarbon gas within the range of about 0.01 to less than 0.3;
- then
- (b) contacting the hydrocarbon gas with an oxidation catalyst, wherein at least a portion of the sulfur compound is oxidized to SOx and wherein the hydrocarbon gas is within the temperature range of about 200–600° C. when contacting the oxidation catalyst;
- then
- (c) contacting the SOx with an adsorbent capable of adsorbing SOx, wherein at least a portion of the SOx is adsorbed on the adsorbent.
A method for desulfurizing a hydrocarbon gas, the hydrocarbon gas comprising a hydrocarbon, a sulfur compound and O2, wherein the hydrocarbon gas has an O2/C mole ratio within a range of about 0.01 to 0.08, the method comprising:
- a) contacting the hydrocarbon gas with an oxidation catalyst, wherein at least a portion of the sulfur compound is selectively oxidized to SOx;
- then
- b) contacting the SOx with an adsorbent capable of adsorbing SOx, wherein at least a portion of the SOx is adsorbed on the adsorbent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.