US3975508A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of prevention and removal of sulfur deposits from H2 S absorption equipment
Assignee: KENACO Inc
•
Filing: 1975-02-11
•
Granted: 1976-08-17
•
Expires: 1995-02-11
Abstract
Abstract A commercially feasible method is provided for controlling depositions of solid sulfur within plant equipment utilized in absorptive-regenerative processes for the removal of H2S from sour gas streams which eliminates costly shutdowns and manual cleaning of the plant equipment and permits removal of solid sulfur therefrom in conjunction with that produced during the regular process itself. The method comprises adding ammonia to such H2S removal systems during running thereof in order to solubilize any solid sulfur and remove the same with the sulfur produced by circulating alkali absorption solution employed. Ammonia may be added to either the sour gas stream or directly to the absorption solution, and moreover can be added intermittently to remove preexisting sulfur deposits or on a semi-continuous basis as needed to substantially prevent undesirable sulfur buildup. The present method finds application in connection with known desulfurization processes such as the Stretford, Ferrox and Takahax.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Peter Richardson
- 👤 David Anthony Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:09
CPC Classifications
C; C01; C01B; C01B17/00; C01B17/02; C01B17/04; C01B17/05
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
In a Stretford-type process for removing H 2 S from a sour gas stream wherein the gas is brought into contact with a circulating liquid alkali absorption stream containing a quinone in a contact zone, and in successive order the H 2 S is absorbed, converted to an alkali hydrosulfide, oxidized with a regenerative oxidizing agent to form elemental sulfur with consequent reduction of the oxidizing agent, with the reduced oxidizing agent being reoxidized by said quinone, there being an attendant tendency for such elemental sulfur to collect in the zone and impede liquid and gas flow therethrough, the improvement which comprises the steps of: adding ammonia to at least one of said streams in amounts sufficient to control the collection of sulfur in said zone and ranging from about 10 ppm to that concentration of ammonia which may deleteriously affect the absorption capability of said alkali stream; and maintaining the ammonia added at a level to control said sulfur collection by the solubilization and subsequent removal thereof from said zone with said circulating liquid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
In a Stretford-type process for removing H 2 S from a sour gas stream wherein the gas is brought into contact with a circulating liquid alkali absorption stream containing a quinone in a contact zone, and in successive order the H 2 S is absorbed, converted to an alkali hydrosulfide, oxidized with a regenerative oxidizing agent to form elemental sulfur with consequent reduction of the oxidizing agent, with the reduced oxidizing agent being reoxidized by said quinone, there being an attendant tendency for such elemental sulfur to collect in the zone and impede liquid and gas flow therethrough, the improvement which comprises the steps of: adding ammonia to at least one of said streams in amounts sufficient to control the collection of sulfur in said zone and ranging from about 10 ppm to that concentration of ammonia which may deleteriously affect the absorption capability of said alkali stream; and maintaining the ammonia added at a level to control said sulfur collection by the solubilization and subsequent removal thereof from said zone with said circulating liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The improvement of claim 1 including the step of adding ammonia to said alakali stream.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The improvement of claim 1 including the step of adding ammonia to said sour gas stream.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The improvement of claim 1 including the step of adding said ammonia intermittently to substantially solubilize any sulfur depositions in said zone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement of claim 1 including the step of adding ammonia as required to substantially prevent sulfur deposition within said zone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The improvement of claim 1 including the step of adding ammonia in an amount ranging from about 10 ppm to about 640 ppm.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The improvement of claim 1 wherein is included the step of operating said process at a temperature in the range of about 80° to 130° F.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improvement of claim 7 wherein is included the step of operating said process at a temperature above about 100° F.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE326159C
Cited
DE858999C
Cited
GB748037A
Cited
GB802384A
Cited
US3034865A
Cited
US3087793A
Cited
US3423180A
Cited
US3457046A
Cited
US3460913A
Cited
US3438680A
Cited
US3547496A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-08-17 | 1980-02-16 | 1980-08-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-08-17 | 1984-02-16 | 1984-08-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-08-17 | 1988-02-16 | 1988-08-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |