By Reacting Gaseous Feed With Gas Containing Free Oxygen Patents (Class 423/576.8)
  • Patent number: 11331623
    Abstract: Disclosed is method for removing carbonyl sulphide and/or carbon disulphide from a sour gas stream. The method comprises subjecting the gas stream to simultaneous contact with an absorption liquid, such as an aqueous amine solution, and with a catalyst suitable for hydrolyzing carbonyl sulphide and/or carbon disulphide. To this end, the invention also provides a reactor system wherein both an absorption liquid and a catalyst are present. In a preferred embodiment, the catalyst is a heterogeneous catalyst present on or in an absorption column, either coated on the trays of a column with trays, or contained in the packing of a packed column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: STAMICARBON B.V. ACTING UNDER THE NAME OF MT INNOVATION CENTER
    Inventors: Michele Colozzi, Emma Palo, Palma Contaldo, Maria Rosaria Pepe, Vincenzo Palma, Vincenzo Vaiano
  • Patent number: 11267700
    Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst suitable for the catalytic oxidative cracking of a H2S-containing gas stream. The catalyst comprises at least one or more active metals selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, and nickel, supported by a carrier comprising ceria and alumina. The active metal is preferably in the form of its sulphide. Also disclosed is a method for the production of hydrogen from a H2S-containing gas stream, comprising subjecting the gas stream to catalytic oxidative cracking so as to form H2 and S2, using a catalyst in accordance with any one of the composition claims.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: NEXTCHEM S.P.A.
    Inventors: Pierlorenzo Cinotti, Michele Colozzi, Simona Cortese, Marino Miccio, Emma Palo, Lucia Barbato, Vincenzo Palma, Daniela Barba
  • Patent number: 9687780
    Abstract: A process for removing sulphur dioxide from the gaseous effluent of a smelter furnace comprising the steps of: providing the gaseous effluent from a smelter; separating the sulphur dioxide from the gaseous effluent to provide concentrated sulphur dioxide and effluent for discharge into the atmosphere; mixing the concentrated sulphur dioxide with a fuel gas; heating the mixture such that the concentrated sulphur dioxide and fuel gas react to form a gaseous product mixture comprising sulphur and hydrogen sulphide; and removing the majority of preferably substantially all of the sulphur and hydrogen sulphide from the gaseous product mixture; wherein the remaining gaseous product mixture is incinerated before being vented into the atmosphere or is recycled into the smelter furnace.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Le Gaz Integral SAS
    Inventor: Peter Frank Cross
  • Patent number: 9242859
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the concurrent production of hydrogen and sulphur from a H2S-containing gas stream, with zero emissions. The method comprises the thermal oxidative cracking of H2S so as to form H2 and S2. Preferably, the oxidation is conducted using oxygen-enriched air, preferably pure oxygen. The ratio H2S/O2 in the feedstock is higher than 2:1, preferably in the range of 3:1-5:1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: STAMICARBON B.V.
    Inventors: Lucio Molinari, Fabio Angelini, Lucia Barbato
  • Patent number: 9005566
    Abstract: A process for advantageously efficiently treating a sulfureous combustible effluent stream by recovering the sulfur in elemental form comprises a step of combustion of the sulfureous combustible effluent stream with an oxidant gas in excess, and then a step of post-combustion of the effluents from the combustion step with an acidic gas. The stream of the post-combustion effluents, free of chemical compounds that are harmful to the efficacy of the Claus catalysts, is treated in a Claus unit, which performs the recovery of the sulfur in elemental form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Total SA
    Inventors: Jean Nougayrede, Soufiene Maktouf
  • Patent number: 8986638
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the catalytic oxidation of sulphide, mono- and/or dihydrogen sulphide, comprising the step of contacting the sulphide, mono- and/or dihydrogen sulphide in the presence of oxygen with a chelate complex comprising (i) a metal cation selected from the group consisting of Fez+, Mnz+, Niz+ and Coz+, where z=2 or 3, and (ii) a chelate ligand containing a porphyrin, a phthalocyanine or a porphyrazine ring coordinated to the metal cation, and at least one cationic substituent covalently attached to the ring in the chelate ligand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Friedrich-Alexander-Universitaet Erlanden-Nuernberg
    Inventors: Ivana Ivanovic-Burmazovic, Milos Filipovic
  • Patent number: 8900544
    Abstract: A method for removing sulphur from a fluid by the steps of providing a first fluid comprising a sulphur-containing compound; adsorbing the sulphur of sulphur-containing compound onto an adsorbent; regenerating the adsorbent by oxidation of the adsorbed sulphur to sulphur dioxide thereby yielding an off-gas stream comprising sulphur dioxide; providing a second fluid comprising hydrogen sulphide, using the second fluid and the off-gas stream as reactants in a Claus process for producing elemental sulphur, wherein a part of hydrogen sulphide provided by the second fluid is oxidized to sulphur dioxide and water at reaction temperature, the residual hydrogen sulphide, the resulting sulphur oxide and the sulphur oxide provided by the off-gas stream are converted to elemental sulphur, the oxygen required for the oxidation of the hydrogen sulphide provided by the second fluid is provided by an air stream, and the off-gas stream dilutes the second fluid in the Claus process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Bernhard Schreiner
  • Publication number: 20140134096
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the concurrent production of hydrogen and sulphur from a H2S-containing gas stream, with reduced, and preferably zero, emissions. The method comprises the catalytic oxidative cracking of H2S so as to form H2 and S2. Preferably, the oxidation is conducted using oxygen-enriched air, preferably pure oxygen. The process is conducted in a reaction chamber comprising a bifunctional catalyst material, so as to favor both the partial oxidation of H2S and the dissociation thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Applicant: STAMICARBON B.V. ACTING UNDER THE NAME OF MT INNOVATION CENTER
    Inventors: Fabio Angelini, Lucia Barbato
  • Patent number: 8486365
    Abstract: To minimize the inhibitory effect of sulfur on the oxidation of hydrogen sulfide with oxygen in a gas stream on the solid catalysts, first, the elemental sulfur content in the gas stream is reduced to less than 3.0 mg/l, preferably 0.3 mg/l, and second, the temperature in the oxidation reactor is maintained so that the relative vapor pressure of sulfur in it remains less than 0.25, preferably less than 0.1. The removal of sulfur from the gas stream by washing it with water or aqueous solution decreases the ignition temperature of the process to 155-160° C. Because of this the initial concentration of H2S might be elevate up to about 2% for a regular adiabatic reactor and to 10% by volume for a reactor with a heat-redistributing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Inventor: Tofik Gasan Alkhazov
  • Patent number: 8449860
    Abstract: Method and system are presented for the combustion of hydrogen sulfide mixed with other gases for simultaneous recovery of sulfur and energy from hydrogen sulfide at higher efficiency. The amounts and velocity of the hydrogen sulfide into the reactor is selected in such a way that it is not possible to burn the hydrogen sulfide in a normal thin reaction zone during its combustion. The injected hydrogen sulfide gas is mixed in a thermal reactor with fresh air and hot active combustion gases in the reactor on account of internal jet pump effect and self-induced entrainment. The reaction is exothermic so that the chemical energy present in hydrogen sulfide is recovered together with the sulfur. Various reactors are shown capable of controlling the formation of a thermal distribution flow pattern based on the position, and position and direction (and other factors) regarding fluid introduction within a combustion chamber of the reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: University of Maryland
    Inventor: Ashwani K. Gupta
  • Patent number: 8440160
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to processes for the production of elemental sulfur from Syngas, in the power plant, or Low BTU Gas fields and more particularly to processes the mixture of the 100% syngas or low BTU stream with the 100% SO2 recycle gas; with an additional stream comprising oxygen such as air, oxygen-enriched air, or substantially pure oxygen is added to the SO2 recycle stream prior entering the Claus reactor for producing elemental sulfur. The combination of innovation schemes comprises the sulfur recovery unit, the SO2 recovery unit and the gas turbines or boilers to promote a cost effective options by reducing the number of steps in an efficient manner and to achieve near 100% sulfur recovery with significant cost and energy saving. The SO2 gas is recycled from the SO2 recovery unit to the sulfur recovery unit by using one of the regenerable solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventors: Mahin Rameshni, Stephen L. Santo
  • Publication number: 20130022534
    Abstract: A process for workup of an industrial carbon dioxide-rich gas to be freed of sulfur components, in which an industrial gas to be freed of sulfur components is purified by a gas scrubbing, and the laden solvent is freed of carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide by a regeneration to obtain at least one acid gas fraction having a relatively high content of sulfur components, and the fraction with the highest hydrogen sulfide (H2S) content is supplied to a Claus plant with downstream Claus process gas hydrogenation, and at least one carbon dioxide-laden, low-hydrogen sulfide acid gas fraction from the regeneration device, which has a reduced sulfur content compared to the fraction with the highest hydrogen sulfide (H2S) content, is combined with the hydrogenated Claus process gas to give a combined process gas stream, which is supplied to further processing or to recycling into the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: THYSSENKRUPP UHDE GMBH
    Inventor: Johannes Menzel
  • Publication number: 20120251436
    Abstract: To minimize the inhibitory effect of sulfur on the oxidation of hydrogen sulfide with oxygen in a gas stream on the solid catalysts, first, the elemental sulfur content in the gas stream is reduced to less than 3.0 mg/l, preferably 0.3 mg/l, and second, the temperature in the oxidation reactor is maintained so that the relative vapor pressure of sulfur in it remains less than 0.25, preferably less than 0.1. The removal of sulfur from the gas stream by washing it with water or aqueous solution decreases the ignition temperature of the process to 155-160° C. Because of this the initial concentration of H2S might be elevate up to about 2% for a regular adiabatic reactor and to 10% by volume for a reactor with a heat-redistributing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventor: Tofik Gasan Alkhazov
  • Patent number: 7951353
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of contacting a liquid with different gases sequentially in separate mass transfer zones within a single vessel, the mass transfer zones operatively in fluid communication with each other, including intimately contacting the liquid with a process gas in co-current flow in a downstream mass transfer zone to effect mass transfer between the liquid and the process gas, and introducing the liquid into an upstream mass transfer zone with a second gas, different from the process gas, thereby effecting mass transfer between the liquid and the second gas. The rate of flow of the liquid from the upstream mass transfer zone to downstream mass transfer zone is controlled by the controlled addition of a third gas into one or more downcomers separating each mass transfer zone such that the specific density of the liquid in the downcomers provides a driving force that controls flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Merichem Company
    Inventor: David Alan Hobson
  • Patent number: 7901655
    Abstract: A process for treating a gas stream comprising H2S that includes the step of selectively oxidizing the H2S of the gas stream within a catalytic zone containing an oxidation catalyst and in the presence of an inert liquid medium and molecular oxygen to form elemental sulfur and a gas stream depleted of H2S. A liquid stream yielded from the catalytic zone and containing the inert liquid medium and liquid elemental sulfur undergoes a separation into a first liquid phase rich in the inert liquid medium and a second liquid phase rich in elemental sulfur. Either at least a part of the liquid stream or at least a part of the second liquid phase, or both, undergoes a combustion to form a fluid stream that comprises sulfur dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Carolus Matthias Anna Maria Mesters, Isaac Cornelis Van Den Born
  • Patent number: 7824638
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to processes for efficient incineration and conversion of the tail gas streams from sulfur recovery units containing sulfur compounds such as H2S, CO2, COS, CS2, and other sulfur species and sulfur vapors from S1 to S8 to SO2. The present disclosure describes the use of a combination of catalysts to achieve efficient oxidation of all reduced sulfur compounds as well as oxidation of CO and H2 to meet the industry emission requirements. The catalytic tail gas incineration process described herein can advantageously operate at lower temperatures, which in turn can represent a savings in reduced fuel gas costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 2, 2010
    Assignee: Worleyparsons Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahin Rameshni, Stephen Santo
  • Patent number: 7727507
    Abstract: A process for treating a gas stream comprising H2S that includes the step of selectively oxidizing the H2S of the gas stream within a catalytic zone containing an oxidation catalyst and in the presence of an inert liquid medium and molecular oxygen to form elemental sulfur and a gas stream depleted of H2S. A liquid stream yielded from the catalytic zone and containing the inert liquid medium and liquid elemental sulfur undergoes a separation into a first liquid phase rich in the inert liquid medium and a second liquid phase rich in elemental sulfur. Either at least a part of the liquid stream or at least a part of the second liquid phase, or both, undergoes a combustion to form a fluid stream that comprises sulfur dioxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2010
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Carolus Matthias Anna Maria Mesters, Isaac Cornelis Van Den Born
  • Patent number: 7658906
    Abstract: Novel sulfur recovery plants, and processes utilizing these plants are disclosed. These apparatuses eliminate the use of a condenser between the waste heat boiler and first Claus catalytic reactors, and also eliminate the use of reheaters in between Claus catalytic reactors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Alfred E. Keller, Nathan A. Hatcher, Sriram Ramani, Larry D. Swinney
  • Patent number: 7655205
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the removal of sulfur from a gas stream containing sulfur dioxide, hydrogen cyanide and hydrogen sulfide. The process includes a hydrogenation step, a hydrolysis step, an ammonia removal step and a hydrogen sulfide removal step. An aqueous alkaline washing liquid is used in the hydrogen sulfide removal step and with the spent sulfide containing washing liquid being regenerated using an oxidation bioreactor that utilizes sulfide oxidizing bacteria such as autotropic aerobic cultures of Thiobacillus and Thiomicrospira.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Petrus Franciscus Antonius Van Grinsven, Wiebe Sjoerd Kijlstra, Inge Roos, Cornelis Jacobus Smit
  • Patent number: 7655213
    Abstract: A method for removing hydrogen sulfide to produce elemental sulfur from a synthesis gas feed stream containing hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide and water using direct oxidation of hydrogen sulfide by contacting a feed stream containing synthesis gas with oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprised of metal oxides to convert a substantial fraction of the hydrogen sulfide present in the feed stream into sulfur and water, followed by cooling the reaction products to a temperature below the dew point temperature of the water and sulfur, separating the reaction products into two streams, with the first stream containing elemental sulfur and water in liquid form and the second stream containing unreacted components from the synthesis gas, hydrogen sulfide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, carbon dioxide and water, and then recycling a portion of the unreacted components to the feed stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John Duckett Winter, Raymond D. Steele
  • Patent number: 7611685
    Abstract: The inventive method for hydrogen sulphide and/or mercaptans decomposition consists in passing hydrogen sulphide and/or mercaptan-containing gas at a temperature less than 200° C. through a hard material layer (catalyst) which decomposes said hydrogen sulphide or mercaptans in such a way that hydrogen or hydrocarbons are released and sulphur-containing compounds are formed on a material surface. Said hard material is placed in a liquid medium layer. Said invention makes it possible to use a hard material (catalyst) without a periodical regeneration thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Institu Kataliza Imeni G. K. Boreskova Sibirskogo Otdeleniya Rossiiskoi Akademii Nauk
    Inventors: Anatolii Nikolaevich Startsev, Anastasia Viktorovna Pashigreva, Olga Valeryevna Voroshina, Ivan Ivanovich Zakharov, Valentin Nikolaevich Parmon
  • Patent number: 7597871
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating a gas stream rich in hydrogen sulfide by providing one or more feed gas streams rich in hydrogen sulfide into a Claus reaction furnace, providing air into the Claus reaction furnace, providing supplemental oxygen into the Claus reaction furnace, and providing steam to the Claus reaction furnace, where the steam is in addition to any steam that may be present in gases that are recycled to the Claus reaction furnace. The components are then reacted at a temperature above about 2400° F. and at a pressure sufficient to cause hydrogen sulfide to be converted into sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Goar, Allison & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: William P. Ferrell
  • Publication number: 20090226364
    Abstract: A process for treating acid gases comprising hydrogen sulfide comprises introducing a first acid gas and a first oxygen-containing gas into a reducing furnace to produce a first oxidized gas stream, cooling the first oxidized gas stream in a first heat recovery system, introducing the cooled gas stream into a sulfur condenser to produce a sulfur-stripped gas, introducing the sulfur-stripped gas and a second oxygen-containing gas into an oxidizing furnace to produce a second oxidized gas stream and cooling the second oxidized gas stream in a second heat recovery system. The first acid gas can be acid gas comprising hydrogen sulfide produced in refineries. The spent acid can be spent sulfuric acid from a sulfuric acid alkylation process. The cooled second oxidized gas stream can be further treated in a spent acid recovery plant or a sulfur recovery unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2008
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
    Inventors: Zeru Berhane Tekie, Luis Alberto Chu, Eugene F. Hartstein
  • Patent number: 7578985
    Abstract: A method for removal of hydrogen sulfide and mercury from a gaseous stream containing hydrogen sulfide and mercury in which a hydrogen sulfide conversion catalyst is contacted with the gaseous stream at a temperature less than or equal to the dewpoint of elemental sulfur, and the hydrogen sulfide is oxidized, forming elemental sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Gas Technology Institute
    Inventors: James L. Aderhold, Jr., Nagaraju Palla, Keyur Pandya
  • Patent number: 7560088
    Abstract: A compact sulfur recovery system is disclosed which includes an upflow orientation for the gases through a primary structure including a catalytic partial oxidation reaction zone, a first temperature-control zone, a first Claus catalytic reaction zone, a second temperature-control zone, a first liquid sulfur outlet, and a first effluent gas outlet. The upward flow of the gases puts the hottest gases in contact with the tubes and tube sheet in the waste heat boiler where there is greater confidence in having liquid water in most continuous therewith.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Alfred E. Keller, Sriram Ramani, Nathan A. Hatcher, Joe D. Allison, Steven E. Lusk, Larry D. Swinney, Kerri J. Kirkendall, Gilbert E. Torres, Paul D. Stewart, Terry D. Pruitt
  • Patent number: 7544344
    Abstract: A feed gas stream containing hydrogen sulfide is subjected to a Claus reaction in a Claus furnace (16). Oxygen or oxygen-enriched air containing at least 80% by volume oxygen is supplied to the furnace (16) to support combustion of the hydrogen sulfide. Sulfur vapour is condensed out of the resultant effluent gas in a sulfur condenser (3). The sulfur depleted effluent gas is subjected to a plurality of stages of catalytic reaction of hydrogen sulfide in order to form further sulfur vapour in catalytic reactors (36, 44) and (52) with the sulfur vapour being condensed out of the gas in sulfur condensers (38, 46) and (54). The sulfur dioxide content of the resulting tail gas is reduced to hydrogen sulfide in reactor (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: The BOC Group plc
    Inventor: Stephen Rhys Graville
  • Patent number: 7531135
    Abstract: In a process and system for recovering sulfur from a process gas stream initially comprising a hydrogen sulfide containing gas and an oxygen containing gas, a control process and system respectively are provided. The sulfur recovery process includes a thermal step having a beginning followed by a catalytic step having an end. The control process includes first analyzing a composition of the process gas stream at a first location between the beginning of the thermal step and the end of the catalytic step, first controlling the oxygen containing gas having regard to that first composition, second analyzing the composition of the process gas stream at a second location downstream of the end of the catalytic step, and second controlling the oxygen containing gas having regard to that second composition. The sulfur recovery system and control system therefor are provided for performing the steps of the sulfur recovery process and control process respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Inventors: Paul E. d'Haêne, Peter S. Schermann
  • Patent number: 7374742
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for removing sulfur species from a gas stream without the use of a sulfur species removal process, such as an amine scrub. The sulfur species are removed by directly subjecting the gas stream to a sulfur recovery process, such as a Claus or sub-dewpoint Claus process at high pressure and moderate temperatures, wherein the sulfur recovery process comprises a catalyst which does not comprise activated carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Bechtel Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Geosits, Charles Kimtantas
  • Patent number: 7357908
    Abstract: The disclosed sulfur recovery system and process avoid some of the operational problems of conventional Claus plants and processes by replacing the reaction burner and furnace tube of a conventional Claus plant with a more efficient short contact time catalytic reactor assembly containing a SPOC™ catalyst that operates efficiently at elevated temperatures. Such Claus plant modification also reduces or avoids the negative effects of hydrocarbons, CO2 and ammonia in Claus sulfur plant feeds, and permits efficient processing of dilute to concentrated H2S feeds. The disclosed modification makes possible the expansion of Claus plant capacity at lower cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Sriram Ramani, Alfred E. Keller
  • Patent number: 7357905
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for direct oxidation into sulfur and/or into sulfate of sulfur-containing compounds that are contained in an amount that is less than 10% by volume in a gas, in which said gas is brought into contact with an oxidation catalyst that comprises a substrate and an active phase that comprises iron in a proportion of between 2 and 5% by weight of the oxidation catalyst at a temperature of less than 200° C. and in the presence of oxygen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Jean-François Chapat, Christophe Nedez, Jean-Louis Ray
  • Patent number: 7354564
    Abstract: A method of conducting the partial oxidation to sulphur in at least one furnace of part of the hydrogen sulphide content of a feed gas mixture containing from 10 to 60% by volume of hydrogen sulphide but including at least one aromatic hydrocarbon impurity typically selected from benzene, xylene, toluene and ethyl benzene. A flame is created in the furnace. All the feed gas mixture is fed to the flame. Oxygen molecules are also fed to the flame. At last some of the oxygen molecules are supplied from a source of oxygen-enriched air to pure oxygen, and there is created in the flame at least one hot aromatic hydrocarbon impurity destruction region in which a substantial proportion, typically at least 75% by volume, of the aromatic hydrocarbon impurity is destroyed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: The BOC Group, plc.
    Inventors: Stephen Rhys Graville, Jason Scott Norman
  • Patent number: 7351392
    Abstract: A combined process for the recovery of sulfur from an acid gas stream. The combined process includes both a Claus unit and a unit for treating the Claus tail gas with caustic to remove hydrogen sulfide therefrom and to biologically oxidize the hydrogen sulfide using certain types of sulfur bacteria to make elemental sulfur. The combined process provides for an exceptionally low concentration of hydrogen sulfide in the finally treated sweet gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Jen Kai Chen, Michael Arthur Huffmaster
  • Patent number: 7335253
    Abstract: The invention provides a process for preparing a sulphur cement product comprising the following steps: (a) selectively oxidising hydrogen sulphide to elemental sulphur by contacting, in a reaction zone, a hydrogen sulphide containing feed gas and a molecular-oxygen containing gas with a particulate oxidation catalyst under selective oxidation conditions; (b) discharging a stream comprising liquid and/or solid elemental sulphur and particulate oxidation catalyst from the reaction zone; (c) admixing the stream comprising elemental sulphur and particulate oxidation catalyst with at least any one of elemental sulphur, a sulphur cement filler, a sulphur cement modifier, or aggregate at a temperature at which sulphur is molten; (d) solidifying the mixture obtained in step (c) by cooling it to a temperature below the melting temperature of sulphur to obtain the sulphur cement product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2008
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: Carolus Matthias Anna Maria Mesters, Marinus Johannes Reynhout, Guy Lode Magda Maria Verbist
  • Patent number: 7332145
    Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the treatment of gas containing mercaptans and acid gases, including the following steps: (1) separating the acid gases from the said gas and obtaining a sweetened gas and the flow of acid gases containing H2S; (2) reacting the H2S thus obtained in step (1) according to the Claus reaction; (3) concentrating the mercaptans in at least one cut of the said sweetened gas; (4) extracting the mercaptans of the said cut; and further comprising: (5) transforming the mercaptans into dialkyl-disulfide (DSO); (6) hydrogenating DSO into H2S; and (7) reacting the H2S thus obtained at step (6) according to the Claus reaction. An installation for carrying out this procedure is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Total S.A.
    Inventor: Denis Chretien
  • Patent number: 7326397
    Abstract: A process for purifying a light hydrocarbon stream containing H2S is disclosed in which the selective catalytic partial oxidation of the H2S component is carried out while the hydrocarbon components slip through substantially unconverted. A catalyst that favors the partial oxidation of H2S over conversion of the hydrocarbon component of a gaseous H2S-light hydrocarbon mixture is employed. Apparatus for selectively cleaning up light hydrocarbon streams containing low concentrations (e.g., less than 25 vol. %), and apparatus for selectively cleaning up light hydrocarbon streams having higher concentrations (e.g., greater than 25 vol. %) of H2S are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Sriram Ramani, Alfred E. Keller, Devadas Panjala
  • Patent number: 7311891
    Abstract: Recovering sulfur from a gas stream containing hydrogen sulfide by oxidizing the gas stream to convert the hydrogen sulfide in the gas stream to sulfur oxide, and thus form a sulfur oxide enriched gas stream. The sulfur oxide enriched gas stream is contacted with a solid, sulfation resistant adsorbent bed at relatively low temperatures to extract the sulfur oxides and retain them as sulfur compounds, thus forming a sulfur oxide depleted gas stream. The adsorbent bed is then contacted with an inert or reducing gas stream to reduce the retained sulfur compounds to sulfur and/or sulfur dioxide and thereby form an enriched sulfur and/or sulfur dioxide bearing stream. The elemental sulfur is recovered and/or the sulfur dioxide bearing stream may be recycled to the Claus unit for further conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: BASF Catalysts LLC
    Inventors: William Bachop Dolan, John Warren Byrne, Michael John Mitariten, Kenneth Butwell, Alfonse Maglio
  • Patent number: 7291320
    Abstract: A process for the selective oxidation of hydrogen sulphide in a hydrogen sulphide containing feed gas to elemental sulphur, wherein the hydrogen sulphide containing feed gas (3), an inert liquid medium (5), and a molecular-oxygen containing gas (4) are supplied to a reaction zone (1) comprising at least one catalytic zone (2) comprising an oxidation catalyst to form elemental sulphur and a gaseous stream depleted in hydrogen sulphide (8), in which process the oxidation catalyst of each catalytic zone (2) is contacted with hydrogen sulphide and/or molecular-oxygen in the presence of inert liquid medium at a temperature in the range of from 120 to 160° C., under such conditions that the elemental sulphur formed is essentially in liquid form and is removed from the reaction zone with the inert liquid medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventors: John Wilhelm Geus, Carolus Matthias Anna Maria Mesters, Ronald Jan Schoonebeek
  • Patent number: 7282193
    Abstract: A method for producing sulfur and energy from an acid gas stream containing hydrogen sulfide by partially combusting the acid gas stream to produce a combustion product gas, mixing a sulfur dioxide stream with the combustion product gas, separating sulfur from the mixture, combusting sulfur to produce sulfur dioxide and heat energy and passing at least a portion of the sulfur dioxide to the combustion product gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Black & Veatch Corporation
    Inventors: Peter D. Clark, David K. Stevens
  • Patent number: 7267809
    Abstract: The invention relates to a burner with a burner head (1) and a gas feed pipe (2) that is located in the burner head (1) and that is surrounded by an ring channel (3) for feed of another gas. In the gas feed pipe (2) and in the ring channel (3), there are means (10, 11) for producing a swirl of the gas flowing through the gas feed pipe (2) and that flowing through the ring channel (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: The Linde Group
    Inventors: Harald Ranke, Michael Heisel, Sebastian Muschelknautz, Hanno Tautz
  • Patent number: 7250149
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2007
    Inventor: Strom W. Smith
  • Patent number: 7241430
    Abstract: An activated carbon-metal oxide matrix is disclosed. The activated carbon-metal oxide matrix may be obtained by a method including the steps of: preoxidizing a carbon material, grinding the preoxidized carbon material; mixing the ground preoxidized material with a metal oxide to form a carbon mixture; extruding the carbon mixture; carbonizing and activating the extrudate. The activated carbon-metal oxide matrix may be used to remove odorous compounds, acidic gases, and volatile organic compounds from a gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Water Technologies Holding Corp.
    Inventors: James Richard Graham, Jianyuan Cheng
  • Patent number: 7226572
    Abstract: A compact sulfur recovery system is disclosed which comprises a primary structure including a catalytic partial oxidation reaction zone, a first temperature-control zone, a first Claus catalytic reaction zone, a second temperature-control zone, a first liquid sulfur outlet, and a first effluent gas outlet. In some embodiments, a secondary structure follows the primary structure and comprises a second Claus catalytic reaction zone, a third temperature-control zone, a second liquid sulfur outlet, and a second effluent gas outlet. One or more components of the system employ heat transfer enhancement material in the temperature-control zones, and one or more components deter accumulation of liquid sulfur in the Claus catalytic reaction zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Alfred E. Keller, Sriram Ramani, Joe D. Allison, Steven E. Lusk, Nathan A. Hatcher, Larry D. Swinney, Kerri J. Kirkendall, Gilbert E. Torres, Paul D. Stewart, Terry D. Pruitt
  • Patent number: 7172746
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for treating a feed gas stream rich in hydrogen sulfide by partially combusting the feed gas stream rich in hydrogen sulfide with an oxygen-enriched gas in a Claus reaction furnace to produce to a combustion reaction product stream containing sulfur. The combustion reaction product stream is split into a recycle stream and a treatment stream and the recycle stream directed back into the Claus reaction furnace, without first condensing sulfur out of the recycle stream, while the treatment stream is directed into a condenser to condense sulfur out of the treatment stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: GAA Engineered Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Russell D. Rischard
  • Patent number: 7138101
    Abstract: Apparatus and process for recovering elemental sulfur from a H2S-containing waste gas stream are disclosed. The apparatus preferably comprises a first reaction zone for carrying out the catalytic partial oxidation of H2S, a second reaction zone for the catalytic partial reduction of any incidental SO2 produced in the first reaction zone, and a cooling zone including a sulfur condenser. According to a preferred embodiment of the process, a mixture of H2S and O2 contacts a catalyst in the first reaction zone very briefly (i.e, less than about 200 milliseconds) producing primarily S0 and H2O. Some SO2 is also present in the first stage product gas mixture. A reductant gas (e.g. CO, or CH4 or natural gas) is fed together with the first stage product gas mixture to a second catalytic reaction zone where the partial reduction of the SO2 component to elemental sulfur and CO2 is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: Conocophillips Company
    Inventors: Alfred E. Keller, Sriram Ramani
  • Patent number: 7122170
    Abstract: A process and system for producing synthesis gas by a SPOC® enhanced catalytic partial oxidation process is disclosed. Light hydrocarbons in a H2S-containing feed gas are partially oxidized to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide over a catalyst that simultaneously oxidizes the H2S to produce elemental sulfur. A reaction in which H2S is partially oxidized to elemental sulfur and water takes place instead of a secondary reaction in which a portion of the light hydrocarbon feed is combusted to form CO2 and water. An increase in yield and selectivity for CO and H2 products results, and readily recoverable elemental sulfur is also produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Conocophillips Company
    Inventors: Sriram Ramani, Alfred E. Keller
  • Patent number: 7108842
    Abstract: A multistage oxygen-added catalytic partial oxidation process and apparatus for converting H2S in an acid gas stream to elemental sulfur and water are disclosed. Each staged addition of oxygen or air at the top of the catalyst bed and at points along the catalyst bed maintain oxygen-limited H2S catalytic partial oxidation conditions whereby incidental SO2 production is minimized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Sriram Ramani, Alfred E. Keller
  • Patent number: 7081233
    Abstract: A vessel is mounted external to a liquid sulfur storage pit for degassing liquid sulfur at atmospheric pressure. Liquid sulfur is re-circulated from the pit to a static mixing device extending from a head space to the liquid sulfur which provides intimate contact of the liquid sulfur as it flows downwardly and sweep air flowing through the head space above the pit. Further, the static mixing device prevents free fall of liquid sulfur and the hazards of static electricity associated therewith. Use of a heat traced gas outlet induces flow of sweep gas from the system, obviating the need for a steam eductor or blower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Dynamax Engineering Ltd.
    Inventor: James G. (Jim) Louie
  • Patent number: 7067101
    Abstract: The thermal combustion step of the modified Claus process is carried out in a water-wall boiler instead of a refractory-lined reaction furnace. The water-wall boiler replaces the conventional refractory-lined furnace and waste heat boiler when air, oxygen, or oxygen-enriched air is used as the oxidant. The acid gas combustion may be hydrogen sulfide-rich or hydrogen sulfide-lean with or without contaminants such as hydrocarbons and ammonia. Thermal combustion is performed in a single stage, without a recycle, for all levels of oxygen enrichment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2006
    Assignee: WorleyParsons Group Inc.
    Inventor: Mahin Rameshni
  • Patent number: 7060233
    Abstract: A process for removing hydrogen sulfide, other sulfur-containing compounds and/or sulfur and mercury from a gas stream contaminated with mercury, hydrogen sulfide or both. The method comprises the step of selective oxidation of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in a gas stream containing one or more oxidizable components other than H2S to generate elemental sulfur (S) or a mixture of sulfur and sulfur dioxide (SO2). The sulfur generated in the gas stream reacts with mercury in the gas stream to generate mercuric sulfide and sulfur and mercuric sulfide are removed from the gas stream by co-condensation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: TDA Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Girish Srinivas, Robert J. Copeland
  • Patent number: 6946111
    Abstract: A process for removing sulfur from a H2S-containing gas stream is disclosed. A preferred embodiment of the process comprises incorporating a short contact time catalytic partial oxidation reactor, a cooling zone, and a condenser into a conventional refinery or gas plant process, such as a natural gas desulfurizer, a hydrotreater, coker or fluid catalytic cracker, in which sulfur removal is needed in order to produce a more desirable product. An H2S-containing gas stream is fed into a short contact time reactor where the H2S is partially oxidized over a suitable catalyst in the presence of O2 to elemental sulfur and water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: ConocoPhilips Company
    Inventors: Alfred E. Keller, Joe D. Allison, Sriram Ramani, Terry D. Pruitt