Abstract: A sulfur trap provides separation of elemental molten sulfur from a process stream comprising a mixture of sulfur and associated tail-gases. The sulfur trap comprises a vertically-oriented cylindrical wall having a chamber for receiving the process stream, a float positioned in the chamber, the float attached to a float end of a lever, a nozzle insert attached to the distal end of the lever, and a lever fulcrum positioned intermediate the lever float end and the lever nozzle insert end. The float, lever, nozzle insert and outlet are constructed to allow the float position to control nozzle insert engagement of the outlet, particularly to close the outlet when the float is elevated by molten sulfur and to disengage from the outlet to allow discharge flow of liquid sulfur at a determined level of sulfur within the chamber. Embodiments of a method of separating liquid sulfur from gases are also provided.

Abstract: A sulfur trap provides separation of elemental molten sulfur from a process stream comprising a mixture of sulfur and associated tail-gases. The sulfur trap comprises a vertically-oriented cylindrical wall having a chamber for receiving the process stream, a float positioned in the chamber, the float attached to a float end of a lever, a nozzle insert attached to the distal end of the lever, and a lever fulcrum positioned intermediate the lever float end and the lever nozzle insert end. The float, lever, nozzle insert and outlet are constructed to allow the float position to control nozzle insert engagement of the outlet, particularly to close the outlet when the float is elevated by molten sulfur and to disengage from the outlet to allow discharge flow of liquid sulfur at a determined level of sulfur within the chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments of an insulation system for process vessels or piping and methods of use generally include a heat-reflective metal foil wrapped around a pipe or vessel and an external heating means, if so equipped; a shell disposed circumferentially around the foil wrapped pipe or vessel and spaced therefrom, wherein the shell has a heat-reflective interior surface; one or more layers of an insulation material provided circumferentially around the shell; and, optionally, a protective coating on, and/or a second shell disposed around, the outermost layer of insulation material. Alternative embodiments of an insulation system for process vessels or piping and methods of use generally include a heat-reflective metal foil wrapped around a pipe or vessel and an external heating means, if so equipped; one or more layers of an insulation material provided circumferentially around the foil-wrapped structure; and, optionally, a protective shell provided circumferentially around the outermost layer of insulation material.

Abstract: A monitoring system for use in a liquid-gas mixture transport line includes a chamber containing a phase separator, a liquid flow measurement device downstream of the phase separator, a collector trap intermediate the phase separator and the flow measurement device, and an overflow opening downstream of the flow measurement device. A sight port is provided in the chamber. A chamber inlet is elevated in relation to the collector trap, the flow measurement device and a chamber outlet. In an embodiment of the invention, the chamber is double-walled with the sight port having a lens in each wall and a filler media, such as inert gas, between the lenses. In one embodiment, the filler media is heated to control formation of condensation or solid sulfur on the lens interior of the chamber. In other embodiments, a sight port of the present invention is provided in a liquid flow transport line.

Abstract: An insulation system for process vessels or piping. In one embodiment, a first sheath having a heat-reflective coating on an inner surface thereof is spaced from a structure. A second outer sheath is provided exterior to the first sheath. An insulation layer is provided intermediate the sheaths. In another embodiment, an outer sheath has insulation disposed on an inner surface thereof, the insulation being intermediate the inner surface and the structure and is spaced therefrom. A liner having a heat-reflective coating on an inner surface thereof is provided on the inner surface of the insulation. In another embodiment, a reflective metal foil is wrapped around a structure which may be equipped with an external heating means. A shell having an inner heat-reflective surface is disposed circumferentially to the structure, with an air gap there between. Disposed exterior to the shell is insulation, and optionally, a protective coating and/or second shell.

Abstract: A process for removing sulfur compounds, particularly hydrogen sulfide, from a waste gas wherein sulfur dioxide is introduced into the process gas at multiple process locations. Quantities of sulfur dioxide are introduced into the process gas stream at one or more locations preceding catalytic reaction. The process of the present invention may be practiced for Claus processes involving initial thermal reactions, and may be practiced without necessity of preliminary thermal reaction. In an embodiment of the invention, one of the injection locations of sulfur dioxide is the thermal reactor.

Abstract: A process for removing sulfur compounds, particularly hydrogen sulfide, from a waste gas wherein sulfur dioxide is introduced into the process gas at multiple process locations. Quantities of sulfur dioxide are introduced into the process gas stream at one or more locations preceding catalytic reaction. The process of the present invention may be practiced for Claus processes involving initial thermal reactions, and may be practiced without necessity of preliminary thermal reaction. In an embodiment of the invention, one of the injection locations of sulfur dioxide is the thermal reactor.

Abstract: A column for distillation or fluid-fluid separation is oriented at an angle to the horizontal other than vertical to provide increased transfer plate surface area within the interior of a column of determined diameter and to reduce overall height of the structure.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method of treating an off-gas stream from a refining process to remove sulfur compounds. A portion of the off-gas stream containing hydrogen sulfide is injected at the front end of the thermal reactor and in at least one other location downstream of the thermal reactor. A ratio of hydrogen sulfide to sulfur dioxide at the outlet of the thermal reactor is less than the stoichiometric requirement. The ratio is adjusted downstream of the thermal reactor so that a ratio of hydrogen sulfide to sulfur dioxide is maintained substantially in excess of the stoichiometric requirement for a Claus reaction. The tail gas, containing hydrogen sulfide but virtually no sulfur dioxide, is treated by a process including removal of water and introducing sulfur dioxide into the tail gas in a stoichiometricly balanced quantity and processing the tail gas in a Claus reactor.

Abstract: A sealing device for a sulfur trap includes a float, a counterweight, and a cleaning rod. The density of the sealing device allows flotation of the device in molten sulfur. The counterweight includes a surface to mate with an upwardly extending hollow cylinder in the sulfur trap through which molten sulfur may flow. The sealing device engages the upwardly extending cylinder in a first position and floats in the molten sulfur contained in an upper chamber of the sulfur trap in a second position. The cleaning rod and counterweight contact the sides of the upwardly extending cylinder to prevent buildup of solid sulfur.

Abstract: A method of removing hydrogen sulfide from a hydrocarbon stream such as natural gas or refinery off gas, including those from catalytic crackers, hydrocrackers, hydrotreaters, chemical plant processes, etc. Sulfur dioxide from an external source is directly introduced into the hydrocarbon stream to promote a Claus reaction to remove the hydrogen sulfide by converting it into elemental sulfur and water. The hydrocarbons in the stream are unaffected by the process.

Abstract: A cooling and heat recovery system for chemical processing vessels. An inner vessel is located within an outer vessel, defining a gap between the two vessels. A heat removal agent is pumped in and out of the gap thereby cooling the wall of the inner vessel which is exposed to exceedingly high temperatures within its interior. Baffling is provided within the gap to ensure the uniform and continuous flow of heat removal agent within the gap. The design of the system increases the rate and efficiency at which heat is transferred from the inner vessel wall to the heat removal agent. In one embodiment, at least one helical bar attached to the inner vessel wall enhances the heat transfer rate and efficiency. Each helical bar generates turbulent flow of the heat removal agent, which in turn enhances the heat transfer between the inner vessel wall and the heat removal agent.

Abstract: A sulfur trap includes a vertically-elongated upper chamber, a lower chamber, a segregating wall, an orifice in the segregating wall, an upwardly extending hollow cylinder adjacent the orifice, a sphere disposed in the upper chamber, the sphere engaging the upwardly extending cylinder in a first position and the sphere floating in the molten sulfur contained in the upper chamber in a second position. An external shell is provided around the upper and lower chambers for circulating steam in the annular space between the shell and the upper and lower chambers.