US4528817A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Purifying geothermal steam
Assignee: Dow Chemical Co
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Filing: 1983-09-13
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Granted: 1985-07-16
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Expires: 2003-09-13
Abstract
Abstract Residual geothermal steam containing hydrogen sulfide from a steam turbine is condensed with an aqueous solution of ferric chelate whereby the hydrogen sulfide is converted to free sulfur and the ferric chelate is converted to ferrous chelate. The ferrous chelate is subsequently oxidized back to the ferric state and reused.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert T. Jernigan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 01:48
CPC Classifications
C; C02; C02F; C02F1/00; C02F1/72; B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/14; B01D53/1418; B01D53/1425; B01D53/1456; B01D53/1468; B01D53/1493; C02F1/68; C02F1/683; F; F03; F03G; F03G4/00; F03G4/074; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S423/00; Y10S423/19
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A process for using geothermal steam containing H 2 S to generate electricity with subsequent purification of the residual steam comprising (A) condensing said residual steam with an aqueous solution containing a ferric chelate in a condensing zone under a temperature sufficiently low to convert said steam and said solution into an aqueous solution containing dissolved hydrogen sulfide and its ions and said ferric chelate; (B) converting said aqueous sulfide solution to an aqueous solution containing free sulfur and ferrous chelate by contacting said aqueous sulfide solution with an aqueous solution of ferric chelate containing a sufficient amount of ferric chelate to completely oxidize said sulfide ions to sulfur; (C) converting said ferrous chelate solution with air in a cooling zone into an aqueous solution containing ferric chelate; and (D) recycling said ferric chelate solution back to said condensing zone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A process for using geothermal steam containing H 2 S to generate electricity with subsequent purification of the residual steam comprising (A) condensing said residual steam with an aqueous solution containing a ferric chelate in a condensing zone under a temperature sufficiently low to convert said steam and said solution into an aqueous solution containing dissolved hydrogen sulfide and its ions and said ferric chelate; (B) converting said aqueous sulfide solution to an aqueous solution containing free sulfur and ferrous chelate by contacting said aqueous sulfide solution with an aqueous solution of ferric chelate containing a sufficient amount of ferric chelate to completely oxidize said sulfide ions to sulfur; (C) converting said ferrous chelate solution with air in a cooling zone into an aqueous solution containing ferric chelate; and (D) recycling said ferric chelate solution back to said condensing zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process as set forth in claim 1 wherein the amount of ferric chelate used is in the range from about 1.0 to about 6.0 moles of ferric chelate per mole of H 2 S.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process as set forth in claim 1 wherein the ferric chelate range is from about 1.2 to about 3.0 moles of ferric chelate per mole of H 2 S.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process as set forth in claim 1 which comprises the additional step of continuously adding ferric chelate as needed to maintain said sufficient amount.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
174 words
A process for using geothermal steam containing H 2 S to generate electricity with subsequent purification of the residual steam comprising (A) condensing said residual steam with an aqueous solution containing a ferric chelate in a condensing zone under a temperature in the range from 1.0° to 99° C. whereby a mixture of noncondensable gases containing H 2 S and an aqueous solution containing dissolved hydrogen sulfide and its ions with said ferric chelate is obtained; (B) converting said aqueous sulfide solution to an aqueous solution containing free sulfur and ferrous chelate by contacting said aqueous sulfide solution with an aqueous solution of ferric chelate containing a sufficient amount of ferric chelate to oxidize said sulfide ions to sulfur under conditions which are sufficient to completely convert said sulfide ions; (C) converting said solution containing ferrous chelate solution with air in a cooling zone at a temperature in the range from 1.0° to 99° C. into an aqueous solution containing ferric chelate; and (D) recycling said ferric chelate solution back to said condensing zone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
174 words
A process for using geothermal steam containing H 2 S to generate electricity with subsequent purification of the residual steam comprising (A) condensing said residual steam with an aqueous solution containing a ferric chelate in a condensing zone under a temperature in the range from 1.0° to 99° C. whereby a mixture of noncondensable gases containing H 2 S and an aqueous solution containing dissolved hydrogen sulfide and its ions with said ferric chelate is obtained; (B) converting said aqueous sulfide solution to an aqueous solution containing free sulfur and ferrous chelate by contacting said aqueous sulfide solution with an aqueous solution of ferric chelate containing a sufficient amount of ferric chelate to oxidize said sulfide ions to sulfur under conditions which are sufficient to completely convert said sulfide ions; (C) converting said solution containing ferrous chelate solution with air in a cooling zone at a temperature in the range from 1.0° to 99° C. into an aqueous solution containing ferric chelate; and (D) recycling said ferric chelate solution back to said condensing zone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The process as set forth in claim 5 which comprises the additional step of removing H 2 S from said noncondensable gases before said gases are vented to the atmosphere.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
35 words
The process as set forth in claim 5 wherein the amount of ferric chelate used is in the range from about 1.0 to about 6.0 moles of ferric chelate per mole of H 2 S.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The process as set forth in claim 5 wherein the amount of ferric chelate used is in the range from about 1.2 to 3.0 moles of ferric chelate per mole of H 2 S.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process as set forth in claim 5 wherein said sulfide conversion is carried out at a temperature in the range from about 1.0 to about 99° C., and a pH in the range from about 5 to 10.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The process as set forth in claim 5 wherein said sulfide conversion is carried out at a temperature in the range from about 25° to about 60° C. and a pH in the range from about 6.8 to 8.3.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-07-15 | 1989-01-14 | 1989-07-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-07-15 | 1993-01-14 | 1993-07-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-07-15 | 1997-01-14 | 1997-07-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |