Method for sour gas treatment

A process for removing hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide from a sour gas stream, the process comprising:

• a) scrubbing the sour gas stream with sodium hydroxide;
• b) oxidizing the solution from a) to produce sodium sulfate and sodium thiosulfate;
• and
• c) passing the solution from b) through an electrolytic cell comprising bipolar membranes to produce sodium hydroxide and a salt product.

A process for removal of hydrogen sulfide from a sour gas stream and production of a salt product from the sour gas stream, the process comprising:

• a) removing free water from a sour gas stream;
• b) scrubbing the sour gas stream with sodium hydroxide using a static mixer while controlling residence time in the mixer and with minimal carbon dioxide pickup;
• c) separating the gas from the liquid in the solution from step b);
• d) air stripping the liquid portion of the solution from c);
• e) oxidizing the solution from d) in an oxidizer vessel;
• f) filtering the solution from e);
• g) electrodialysizing the solution from f) to produce a salt product and sodium hydroxide;
• and
• h) recirculating the sodium hydroxide to step b).