Abstract: Sulfur emissions from liquid sulfur are reduced, or even entirely avoided by degassing the liquid sulfur at pressure in an out-of-pit vessel and by sweeping the rundown pit (or vessel) with a sweep gas that is non-poisonous for a hydrogenation catalyst. Acid gases from degassing are fed at pressure to the Claus unit, while sweep gases are fed to the tail gas treatment unit to substantially recycle the acid gases to extinction. In preferred plants and methods, motive fluids and booster eductors or compressors are not needed, and incineration of the acid gases can be avoided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reactor, a structured packing, and a method for increasing the rate of decomposition of polysulfides and oxidation of polysulfides and hydrogen sulfide in liquid sulfur. The reactor, the structured packing, and the method involve a structured packing for contacting a first stream and a second stream in a reactor including a catalyst. The catalyst increases the rate of decomposition of polysulfides and oxidation of polysulfides and hydrogen sulfide in the liquid sulfur of the first stream with the second stream. The first stream includes liquid sulfur containing polysulfides and dissolved hydrogen sulfide. The second stream includes an oxygen-containing gas.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reactor, a retained catalyst structure, and a method for increasing the rate of decomposition of polysulfides and removal of hydrogen sulfide in liquid sulfur. The reactor, the retained catalyst structure, and the method include a retained catalyst structure arranged and disposed for contacting a first stream and a second stream in a reactor including a catalyst. The catalyst increases the rate of decomposition of polysulfides and facilitates the removal of hydrogen sulfide in the liquid sulfur of the first stream with the second stream. The first stream includes liquid sulfur containing polysulfides and dissolved hydrogen sulfide. The second stream includes an inert gas or a low oxygen-containing gas.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reactor, a retained catalyst structure, and a method for increasing the rate of decomposition of polysulfides and removal of hydrogen sulfide in liquid sulfur. The reactor, the retained catalyst structure, and the method include a retained catalyst structure arranged and disposed for contacting a first stream and a second stream in a reactor including a catalyst. The catalyst increases the rate of decomposition of polysulfides and facilitates the removal of hydrogen sulfide in the liquid sulfur of the first stream with the second stream. The first stream includes liquid sulfur containing polysulfides and dissolved hydrogen sulfide. The second stream includes an inert gas or a low oxygen-containing gas.

Abstract: Disclosed is a reactor, a structured packing, and a method for increasing the rate of decomposition of polysulfides and oxidation of polysulfides and hydrogen sulfide in liquid sulfur. The reactor, the structured packing, and the method involve a structured packing for contacting a first stream and a second stream in a reactor including a catalyst. The catalyst increases the rate of decomposition of polysulfides and oxidation of polysulfides and hydrogen sulfide in the liquid sulfur of the first stream with the second stream. The first stream includes liquid sulfur containing polysulfides and dissolved hydrogen sulfide. The second stream includes an oxygen-containing gas.