Abstract: For the treatment of a wastewater containing sour gases with a stripping gas, resultant stripping gas containing the sour gases is introduced into at least one combustion stage within the total process for recovery of the sulfur-containing components, the wastewater being stripped with at least a portion of the amount of O.sub.2 -containing gas required in the subsequent combustion stages.

Abstract: A process for performing catalytic reactions with intensive heat of reaction, in which a reaction mixture is conducted through a catalyst bed, from which the reaction heat is removed or to which it is fed by indirect heat exchange with a heat exchange medium. The catalyst bed adjoins at least one bed of a catalytically inert material, which also is in indirect heat exchange with the heat exchange medium.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for conducting a catalytic reaction of H.sub.2 S and SO.sub.2 to elementary sulfur provides for at least two catalyst beds and that at least one part of one of the catalyst beds is operated during the reaction at below the sulfur dew point, preferably below the solids condensation point, and above the water dew point. The adsorbed and deposited sulfur is removed by heating and evaporation. At least two serially connected and interchangeable reactors are employed in preferably a single flow direction in one cycle, and the flow direction of the gas stream is reversed in a second cycle by means of a multiway fitting.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the purification of a gaseous stream contaminated at least with CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 S. The gaseous stream is preheated and subjected, in the presence of recycled SO.sub.2, to a catalytic conversion of H.sub.2 S into elemental sulfur. The thus-obtained sulfur is separated, and the residual gas, which contains at least H.sub.2 S, SO.sub.2, CO.sub.2, and water, is freed absorptively from SO.sub.2 after oxidative conversion of H.sub.2 S to SO.sub.2. It is proposed that the residual gas, after oxidative conversion of H.sub.2 S to SO.sub.2, is cooled in heat exchangers, preferably regenerators, and is subsequently scrubbed with a solvent consisting predominantly of tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether.

Abstract: In a sulfur condenser and degasser system associated with a Claus furnace, the condenser comprises a wound cross-countercurrent heat exchanger. Liquid sulfur is passed into the top of the condenser as reflux so that ascending sulfur droplets can be coalesced and the condenser can act as a rectifying column. The degassing is preferably carried out substantially simultaneously with the formation of liquid sulfur.

Abstract: For conducting exothermic catalytic reactions, e.g., production of methane from CO.sub.x and H.sub.2, a reactor is cooled internally by indirect heat exchange with a single heat exchanger provided in the reactor feed inlet region with a gradually increasing surface intensity (defined as the product of the overall coefficient of thermal conductivity, (h), of the tube wall times the cooling surface density, m.sup.2 /m.sup.3) reaching a maximum intensity at a central zone of the heat exchanger where the preponderant cooling occurs. A zone of gradually decreasing cooling surface intensity may also be provided at the outlet end of the reactor, and uncooled adiabatic zones may be incorporated in the zones immediate the inlet and outlet ends of the reactor.

Abstract: For the removal of sulfur compounds, especially H.sub.2 S, from gases that contain hydrocarbons, and/or CO.sub.2, the gases are scrubbed with a physical solvent, which is to be regenerated and reused. To obtain sulfur free of hydrocarbons, as well as a practically sulfur-free LPG fraction and optionally a C.sub.5+ fraction, an oxidizing agent is added to the solvent for reacting the sulfur compounds to elemental sulfur, and the sulfur is separated. The concomitantly absorbed hydrocarbons and/or CO.sub.2 can then be desorbed from the separated solvent by physical regeneration and can be recovered.

Abstract: For producing elemental sulfur, SO.sub.2 is dissolved in a regenerable solvent, which is treated with a reducing agent, and the thus-formed sulfur is separated from the solution.

Abstract: A process for the simultaneous removal of H.sub.2 S, SO.sub.2 and elemental sulfur from gaseous mixtures, comprises treating the gaseous mixture with a solvent. After the solvent becomes loaded with the components to be removed, it is regenerated and reused. In order to obtain savings in costs and energy, the sulfur is separated from the loaded solvent by lowering the temperature thereof. In this way, chemical regeneration of the scrubbing medium takes place within the cycle eliminating the requirement for outside regenerating apparatus.

Abstract: In a process for the separation of at least carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide from a raw gaseous mixture to form a purified gaseous mixture comprising passing said gas through a sour gas removal system including the steps of scrubbing said gaseous mixture with a liquid scrubbing agent having a higher affinity for hydrogen sulfide than for carbon dioxide, removing from said system an off-gas enriched in hydrogen sulfide, and passing said off-gas to a sulfur recovery system comprising the conversion of sulfur values to elemental sulfur and the recovery of a tail gas containing hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide,the improvement which comprises hydrogenating said tail gas to convert sulfur dioxide to hydrogen sulfide and recycling resultant hydrogenated tail gas to said sour gas removal system, whereby essentially no hydrogen sulfide or sulfur dioxide is discharged into the environment.