US4789030A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Production of hydrogen sulphide containing gas from underground formations
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
•
Filing: 1987-08-07
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Granted: 1988-12-06
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Expires: 2007-08-07
Abstract
Abstract Production of at least a gaseous product containing a substantial amount of hydrogen sulphide via a bore-hole from an underground formation containing besides the hydrogen sulphide at least elemental sulphur by (a) injection of a liquid substantially consisting of hydrocarbons into the bore-hole or into the underground formation near to the end of the bore-hole; (b) producing a gaseous and a liquid fraction from the underground formation; (c) separating the gaseous fraction from the liquid fraction; (d) if necessary, separating an aqueous fraction of the product liquid fraction from the hydrocarbons-containing fraction; (e) heating the hydrocarbons-containing fraction preferably in the presence of hydrogen and a hydro-desulphurization catalyst, in order to remove elemental sulphur; and (f) reinjection of at least a part of the thus treated hydrocarbons-containing fraction into the bore-hole or into the underground formation near to the end of the bore-hole.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen G. Delude
- 👤 Edward A. Luinstra
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 13:51
CPC Classifications
E; E21; E21B; E21B43/00; E21B43/34; E21B43/40; C; C09; C09K; C09K8/00; C09K8/52; C09K8/528; C09K8/532; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S166/00; Y10S166/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A process for the production of at least a gaseous product containing a substantial amount of hydrogen sulphide via a bore-hole from an underground formation containing besides the hydrogen sulphide at least elemental sulphur, comprising (a) injection of a liquid substantially consisting of hydrocarbons into the bore-hole or into the underground formation near to the end of the bore-hole; (b) producing a gaseous and a liquid fraction from the underground formation; (c) separating the gaseous fraction from the liquid fraction; (d) if necessary, separating an aqueous fraction of the produced liquid fraction from the hydrocarbons-containing fraction; (e) heating the hydrocarbons-containing fraction in order to remove elemental sulphur by conversion to hydrogen sulphide in the presence of a catalyst comprising sulphides of one or more metals from Group VIB and/or Group VIII of the Periodic Table of Elements deposited on a support of alumina, silica or silica alumina; and (f) reinjection of at least a part of the thus treated hydrocarbons-containing fraction into the bore-hole or into the underground formation near to the end of the bore-hole as described hereinbefore.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
179 words
A process for the production of at least a gaseous product containing a substantial amount of hydrogen sulphide via a bore-hole from an underground formation containing besides the hydrogen sulphide at least elemental sulphur, comprising (a) injection of a liquid substantially consisting of hydrocarbons into the bore-hole or into the underground formation near to the end of the bore-hole; (b) producing a gaseous and a liquid fraction from the underground formation; (c) separating the gaseous fraction from the liquid fraction; (d) if necessary, separating an aqueous fraction of the produced liquid fraction from the hydrocarbons-containing fraction; (e) heating the hydrocarbons-containing fraction in order to remove elemental sulphur by conversion to hydrogen sulphide in the presence of a catalyst comprising sulphides of one or more metals from Group VIB and/or Group VIII of the Periodic Table of Elements deposited on a support of alumina, silica or silica alumina; and (f) reinjection of at least a part of the thus treated hydrocarbons-containing fraction into the bore-hole or into the underground formation near to the end of the bore-hole as described hereinbefore.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the hydrocarbons-containing fraction is heated in step (e) to a reaction temperature between 135° C. and 250° C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 1 wherein the heating of the sulphur-containing hydrocarbons-containing fraction in step (e) is performed under a hydrogen atmosphere.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
A process according to claim 3 wherein the hydrocarbons-containing fraction is heated in step (e) to a reaction temperature between 200° and 250° C.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the reinjected recirculating oil is replaced from time to time by a fresh amount of oil.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst is a cobalt/molybdenum catalyst.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 1, wherein the injected hydrocarbons-containing fraction is a highly aromatic oil distillate fraction.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process according to claim 4 wherein the catalyst is a cobalt/molybdenum catalyst.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A process according to claim 8, wherein the injected hydrocarbons-containing fraction is a highly aromatic oil distillate fraction.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4021334A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-12-06 | 1992-06-06 | 1992-12-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-12-06 | 1996-06-06 | 1996-12-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-12-06 | 2000-06-06 | 2000-12-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |