Abstract: An improvement in the method for preventing re-emissions of mercury from a wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) system by addition of an additive to the FGD scrubber liquor which interacts in the system scrubber with mercury present in the flue gas to curtail the mercury re-emissions; the mercury re-emissions are reduced to substantially zero by use of an additive selected from one or more members of the group consisting of a dithiol, a dithiolane, and a thiol having a single thiol group and either an oxygen or a hydroxyl group.

Abstract: An improvement in the method for preventing re-emissions of mercury from a wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) system by addition of an additive to the FGD scrubber liquor which interacts in the system scrubber with mercury present in the flue gas to curtail the mercury re-emissions; the mercury re-emissions are reduced to substantially zero by use of an additive selected from one or more members of the group consisting of a dithiol, a dithiolane, and a thiol having a single thiol group and either an oxygen or a hydroxyl group.

Abstract: An improvement in the method for preventing re-emissions of mercury from a wet flue gas desulfurization (FGD) system by addition of an additive to the FGD scrubber liquor which interacts in the system scrubber with mercury present in the flue gas to curtail the mercury re-emissions; the mercury re-emissions are reduced to substantially zero by use of an additive selected from one or more members of the group consisting of a dithiol, a dithiolane, and a thiol having a single thiol group and either an oxygen or a hydroxyl group.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing a vapor phase contaminant from a gas stream, thereby reducing the concentration of the vapor phase contaminant in the gas stream. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for removing a vapor phase contaminant from a gas stream, comprising contacting a gas stream comprising a vapor phase contaminant with a first side of a membrane; sorbing the vapor phase contaminant using the membrane; reacting the vapor phase contaminant into an reacted form of the vapor phase contaminant; transporting the reacted form of the vapor phase contaminant through the membrane to a second side of the membrane; contacting the second side of the membrane with a liquid; and dissolving the reacted form of the vapor phase contaminant into the liquid. Methods for making a membrane comprising a metal for use in the present invention is also described.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing a vapor phase contaminant from a gas stream, thereby reducing the concentration of the vapor phase contaminant in the gas stream. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for removing a vapor phase contaminant from a gas stream, comprising contacting a gas stream comprising a vapor phase contaminant with a first side of a membrane; sorbing the vapor phase contaminant using the membrane; reacting the vapor phase contaminant into an reacted form of the vapor phase contaminant; transporting the reacted form of the vapor phase contaminant through the membrane to a second side of the membrane; contacting the second side of the membrane with a liquid; and dissolving the reacted form of the vapor phase contaminant into the liquid. Methods for making a membrane comprising a metal for use in the present invention is also described.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for removing a vapor phase contaminant from a gas stream, thereby reducing the concentration of the vapor phase contaminant in the gas stream. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for removing a vapor phase contaminant from a gas stream, comprising contacting a gas stream comprising a vapor phase contaminant with a first side of a membrane; sorbing the vapor phase contaminant using the membrane; reacting the vapor phase contaminant into an reacted form of the vapor phase contaminant; transporting the reacted form of the vapor phase contaminant through the membrane to a second side of the membrane; contacting the second side of the membrane with a liquid; and dissolving the reacted form of the vapor phase contaminant into the liquid. Methods for making a membrane comprising a metal for use in the present invention is also described.

Abstract: A process for removing H2S from a gaseous stream, wherein the gaseous stream is flowed through an absorber vessel where the stream is contacted with a sorbing liquor comprising a nonaqueous solvent containing dissolved sulfur, a tertiary amine base having sufficient strength and concentration to drive the reaction between H2S sorbed by the liquor and the dissolved sulfur to form a nonvolatile polysulfide which is soluble in the sorbing liquor, and a solubilizing agent for maintaining the solubility of polysulfide intermediates which may otherwise separate. The dissolved nonvolatile polysulfide in the sorbing liquor is converted to sulfur which remains dissolved in the liquor by contacting the liquor with oxidizing sulfur dioxide. The sorbing liquor following the oxidation of the polysulfide is cooled to a temperature at which the liquor is at or above saturation with respect to the dissolved sulfur.

Abstract: A process is provided for the removal of hydrogen sulfide out of a gaseous stream (22), such as a natural gas, by contacting the hydrogen sulfide containing gas with a sorbing liquid (26) containing a tertiary amine so that the hydrogen sulfide is sorbed into the liquid in absorber (11) and transferring the sorbing liquid/hydrogen sulfide mixture to a reactor (15) where the tertiary amine promotes the conversion of the hydrogen sulfide into polysulfide via reaction with sulfur; transferring the polysulfide solution from the reactor (15) to a regenerator (10) where polysulfide is converted into elemental sulfur via reaction with air (9); transferring at least a portion of the solution (25) containing elemental sulfur, as well as sulfate and thiosulfate species, into a mixture (36) where it is contacted with gaseous ammonia which reacts with the sulfate and thiosulfate species to produce ammonium sulfate and ammonium thiosulfate which are removed from the solution while the remaining portion of solution (25) is

Abstract: In a conventional hydrodesulfurization process sulfur is removed from liquid hydrocarbons by reacting the sulfur in the liquid hydrocarbons with hydrogen to form H2S. A sour hydrogen gas stream consisting of unreacted hydrogen, H2S, and undesired light hydrocarbons is then separated from the liquid hydrocarbons, and the H2S is removed to sweeten the hydrogen stream for recycling. Some of the undesired light hydrocarbons resulting from the reaction may be separated by the purging method discussed. In the present invention efficient separation of the light hydrocarbons is enabled without substantial loss of recyclable hydrogen. Both the H2S and light hydrocarbons are separated from the sour hydrogen gas stream by passing the stream through an absorber where it is reacted with a nonaqueous liquor. The light hydrocarbons are absorbed in the liquor, from which they are subsequently separated.

Abstract: The invention relates to improvements in a known process and system wherein hydrogen sulfide is removed from a gaseous stream, using a nonaqueous scrubbing liquor in which are dissolved sulfur and a reaction-promoting amine base. In a first aspect of the invention sulfur dioxide is added to the sulfur-amine nonaqueous sorbent (or advantage is taken of SO2 which may already be present in the gas stream) to obtain better H2S removal, lower chemical degradation rates, and lower rates of formation of byproduct sulfur salts. In a further aspect of the invention the gas to be treated is mixed with oxygen and passed through an oxidation catalyst reactor to either effect oxidation of part of the H2S to form the required amount SO2 for reaction with the remaining H2S, or to effect partial oxidation of the H2S in the feed gas to form elemental sulfur, or to form various combinations of products as desired for the application, prior to scrubbing with the nonaqueous solvent.

Abstract: In a known process and system wherein hydrogen sulfide is removed from a gaseous stream, using a non-aqueous scrubbing liquor which can be an organic solvent for elemental sulfur such as a phenylxylyl ethane in which are dissolved sulfur and a reaction-promoting amine base such as a tertiary amine, sulfur dioxide is added to the sulfur-amine nonaqueous sorbent (or advantage is taken of SO2 which may already be present in the gas stream) to obtain better H2S removal, lower chemical degradation rates, and lower rates of formation of byproduct sulfur salts such as sulfates.

Abstract: A system for removing hydrogen sulfide from a gaseous stream such as one of natural gas. A sour gas stream containing H.sub.2 S is contacted with a nonaqueous, water-insoluble sorbing liquor which comprises an organic solvent for elemental sulfur, dissolved elemental sulfur, an organic base to promote the reactions, and an organic solubilizing agent an agent suitable for maintaining the solubility of polysulfide intermediates which may otherwise separate when they are formed during operation of the process. Hydrogen sulfide (H.sub.2 S) gas is sorbed into this liquor and then reacts with the dissolved sulfur in the presence of the base to form polysulfide molecules. The solution is then sent to a reactor where sufficient residence time is provided to allow the polysulfide forming reactions to reach the desired degree of completion. From the reactor, the solution flows to a regenerator where the solution is oxidized (e.g., by contact with air), forming dissolved elemental sulfur and water.

Abstract: A process and system for removing hydrogen sulfide from a gaseous stream such as one of natural gas. A sour gas stream containing H.sub.2 S is contacted with a nonaqueous, water-insoluble sorbing liquor which comprises an organic solvent for elemental sulfur, dissolved elemental sulfur, an organic base to promote the reactions, and an organic solubilizing agent an agent suitable for maintaining the solubility of polysulfide intermediates which may otherwise separate when they are formed during operation of the process. Hydrogen sulfide (H.sub.2 S) gas is sorbed into this liquor and then reacts with the dissolved sulfur in the presence of the base to form polysulfide molecules. The solution is then sent to a reactor where sufficient residence time is provided to allow the polysulfide forming reactions to reach the desired degree of completion. From the reactor, the solution flows to a regenerator where the solution is oxidized (e.g., by contact with air), forming dissolved elemental sulfur and water.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the removal of hydrogen sulfide (H.sub.2 S) from gaseous streams, particularly concentrations of H.sub.2 S lower than 100 ppm. The invention is particularly useful for removing H.sub.2 S from natural gas. The invention involves contacting a gaseous stream containing hydrogen sulfide with a sorbent solution comprising a substantially non-aqueous solvent having a low vapor pressure and a high donor number, such as dimethyl sulfoxide, a concentration of a polyvalent reducible metal ion in an oxidative state sufficient to oxidize the hydrogen sulfide to form at least one soluble sulfur compound, such as Fe.sup.3+, and a counter-ion for the metal ion, such as Cl.sup.- ; and regenerating the oxidative state of the metal ion reduced by the hydrogen sulfide.

Abstract: A process and system for removal of hydrogen sulfide from a hydrogen sulfide-containing gaseous stream comprising contacting the hydrogen sulfide-containing gaseous stream with a nonaqueous phase sorbent under conditions suitable for forming a hydrogen sulfide-laden sorbent and a clean gaseous stream. The hydrogen sulfide-laden sorbent is mixed with an aqueous phase redox coupled, regenerating the nonaqueous phase sorbent, reducing the aqueous phase redox couple, and forming sulfur. The sulfur is separated from the mixture. The reduced aqueous phase redox couple is extracted from the mixture and regenerated with an oxidizing agent or electrochemical cell.

Abstract: A solid electrochromic film is used on a semiconductor electrode in a display device permitting the user to write on the display using a light pen. Additional elements, including arrangement of the semiconductor electrodes transversely with respect to counter-electrodes, or providing an electrochromic film on the counter-electrodes, further enhance the versatility of the display device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing oxides of nitrogen and sulfur from flue gases. The apparatus comprises an enclosure wherein the flue gases are washed with a scrubbing solution, preferably containing ferrous chelates and sulfite ions, and an electrochemical cell for regenerating the spent scrubbing solution. The electrochemical cell preferably comprises a plurality of cathode and anode compartments separated by ion transfer membranes. The spent scrubbing solution is regenerated by passing the solution through the cathode compartments of the electrochemical cell. The regeneration process involves the removal of the sulfate ions from the scrubbing solutions through the ion transfer membranes and the reduction of the nonreactive ferric chelate to the reactive ferrous chelate.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed herein for measuring the electrical conductivity of unknown fluid solutions. A constant current DC pulse having a very fast rise time is supplied to a test cell containing the unknown solution. By sampling the voltage across the test cell just prior to the application of the pulse and at a predetermined time during the application of the constant current pulse, a voltage difference is obtained which may be interpreted in terms of the conductivity of the unknown solution.