Abstract: A process for producing ammonium thiosulfate by contacting a feed gas containing hydrogen sulfide and ammonia with an aqueous absorbing stream containing ammonium sulfite and ammonium bisulfite to form an ammonium thiosulfate-containing solution; the absorption being controlled by monitoring the oxidation reduction potential of the absorbing stream and varying the feed rates in response to the oxidation reduction potential measurements. An ammonium bisulfide-containing aqueous stream is contacted with and absorbs sulfur dioxide to form an aqueous stream containing the ammonium sulfite and ammonium bisulfite reagents. This sulfite/bisulfite-containing stream is combined with the ammonium thiosulfate-containing solution in a vessel to produce a combined solution. A portion of the combined solution is recycled back to contact the feed gas and ammonium thiosulfate is recovered from the remaining portion of the combined solution.

Abstract: A process for producing ammonium thiosulfate wherein in a first reaction zone a feed gas mixture containing hydrogen sulfide and ammonia is contacted with an aqueous absorbing stream containing ammonium thiosulfite, ammonium bisulfite, and ammonium sulfite under conditions to limit conversion of sulfite to thiosulfate and produce an ammonia-rich absorbing stream, the unreacted hydrogen sulfide being rejected from the ammonia-rich absorbing stream, sulfur dioxide from a sulfur dioxide-containing gas stream being absorbed in the ammonia-rich absorbing stream in the absence of any substantial quantity of hydrogen sulfide, the ammonia-rich absorbing stream containing the sulfur dioxide being at least partially transferred to the first reaction zone, an aqueous product stream of ammonium thiosulfate being recovered.

Abstract: An alternator cooling fan drive includes a radial bearing, the outer race of which mounts the fan within the magnetic field produced by the alternator under load. The bearing has pathways with a curvature close enough to the balls that the races will self-center and transmit a minimum torque to the fan when the magnetic field is weak. The pathway and ball configurations are sufficiently divergent that when the magnetic field pulls in on the fan, the races can misalign and wedge the balls more tightly between the races to transmit more torque to the fan. The fan drive is thus more directly responsive to the need for cooling.

Abstract: A process for removing hydrogen sulfide from sour gas streams is disclosed which is carried out in processing equipment which includes steel components resulting in iron from the steel slowly dissolving in the alkaline H.sub.2 S absorption medium. The solubilized iron tends to react with the hydrogen sulfide to form iron sulfide which further oxidizes to produce sodium thiosulfate. The preferred absorption medium includes a metal vanadate and boron complex, a quinone type reoxidation catalyst and a metal ferri or ferrocyanide decahydrate compound capable of reacting with the solubilized iron in the alkaline absorption medium to form a precipitate which is unreactive with the dissolved hydrogen sulfide.

Abstract: A process for removing hydrogen sulfide from sour gas streams is provided wherein the sour gas is passed in cocurrent flow relationship with a liquid alkaline absorption solution containing a vanadium-boron complex characterized by the properties of reacting with the H.sub.2 S thereby oxidizing [HS.sup.- ] to elemental sulfur in conjunction with reduction of the vanadium while the boron constituent is functional to inhibit formation of insoluble vanadium sulfide compounds. Regeneration of the absorption medium by contact with an oxygen containing gas is enhanced by the provision of an iron-polyamine organic acid oxidation catalyst in the absorption liquid. The process is a direct replacement for and may be operated far more economically than conventional Stretford processes.