US4358427A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Removal of hydrogen sulfide from geothermal steam
Assignee: Honeywell UOP LLC
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Filing: 1981-11-13
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Granted: 1982-11-09
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Expires: 2001-11-13
Abstract
Abstract A process for removing hydrogen sulfide from geothermal steam comprising adding free oxygen to the steam and contacting the steam with an oxidation catalyst at a pressure of at least 30 psig and a temperature not greater than the saturation temperature of the steam. The catalyst may comprise activated carbon, a refractory inorganic oxide or a metal phthalocyanine and is wetted with an aqueous solution of thiosulfates, sulfates or polysulfides. The hydrogen sulfide is converted and steam of reduced hydrogen sulfide content is obtained.
Inventors
- 👤 Peter Urban
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 18:05
CPC Classifications
F; F01; F01K; F01K21/00; F01K21/06; B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A process for removing hydrogen sulfide from geothermal steam containing less than 1000 ppm by volume of hydrogen sulfide comprising adding at least a stoichiometric amount of free oxygen to the geothermal steam and contacting the steam at a pressure of at least 30 psig and a temperature not greater than the saturation temperature of said steam with a bed of oxidation catalyst comprising activated carbon, a refractory inorganic oxide or a metal phthalocyanine wetted with an aqueous solution of thiosulfate, sulfates, or polysulfides to convert the hydrogen sulfide and to obtain steam of reduced hydrogen sulfide content.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
A process for removing hydrogen sulfide from geothermal steam containing less than 1000 ppm by volume of hydrogen sulfide comprising adding at least a stoichiometric amount of free oxygen to the geothermal steam and contacting the steam at a pressure of at least 30 psig and a temperature not greater than the saturation temperature of said steam with a bed of oxidation catalyst comprising activated carbon, a refractory inorganic oxide or a metal phthalocyanine wetted with an aqueous solution of thiosulfate, sulfates, or polysulfides to convert the hydrogen sulfide and to obtain steam of reduced hydrogen sulfide content.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The process of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said aqueous solution is recycled to said catalyst bed to effect the wetting of said bed.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said pressure is substantially the pressure at which said geothermal steam is obtained from the geothermal well.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said geothermal steam contains at least 500 ppm by volume of CO 2 .
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said oxidation catalyst comprises activated carbon or a refractory inorganic oxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the pH of said aqueous solution used to wet said bed is maintained in excess of 5.0.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 6 wherein said pH is maintained by the addition of sodium carbonate to said aqueous solution used to wet said bed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1 wherein said oxidation catalyst comprises a metal phthalocyanine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 8 wherein said metal phthalocyanine catalyst is dispersed on a solid support.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The process of claim 9 wherein said solid support comprises activated carbon.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 8 wherein said metal phthalocyanine comprises iron, cobalt, vanadium or manganese phthalocyanine, or polymeric phthalocyanine derivative thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The process of claim 8 wherein the pH of said aqueous solution used to wet said bed is maintained in excess of 6.6.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 12 wherein ammonia is contained in said geothermal steam in a ratio to hydrogen sulfide of at least about 0.5:1.0.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3972988A
Cited
US4196183A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-11-08 | 1986-05-10 | 1986-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-11-08 | 1990-05-10 | 1990-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-11-08 | 1994-05-10 | 1994-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |