Purifying Crude Sulfur Patents (Class 423/578.1)
  • Patent number: 11746961
    Abstract: A method for an underground gas storage reservoir management may include obtaining feed from a domestic master gas system. The method further includes simultaneously injecting and reproducing in an underground gas storage via a plurality of dual producer and injector wells. The method further includes enhancing the underground gas storage reservoir management to maximize gas and condensate recovery. The method further includes improving a switching cycle between dual operation modes in the underground gas storage for faster reaction times through a completely segregated injection and reproduction lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Hamza M. Aljamaan, Ammar H. Alali, Nedhal M. Al-Musharfi, Adnan A. Al-Kanaan
  • Patent number: 11713246
    Abstract: A method and system for liquid sulfur degassing is disclosed. The method and system generally involve degassing liquid sulfur in a degassing vessel, and the level of the liquid sulfur in the degassing vessel is controlled in the degassing vessel by determining the level of liquid sulfur in the degassing vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2023
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen N. Fenderson, Thomas K. T. Chow
  • Patent number: 11034583
    Abstract: Contemplated systems and methods for removing polysulfides and hydrogen sulfide from liquid sulfur of a Claus plant include (a) physically separated steps of catalytic decomposition of polysulfides and gas stripping, or (b) use of the stripping gas as the continuous phase in a packed column with decomposition catalyst to so avoid catalyst attrition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen N. Fenderson, Vincent W. Wong
  • Patent number: 10392679
    Abstract: The present invention is intended for effectively removing copper, iron, sulfur, which are impurities, from activated carbon on which gold is adsorbed before gold eluting in the point of view of gold recovery, and is related to a method for eluting gold from an activated carbon on which at least sulfur (S) and gold (Au) are adsorbed, whereas the activated carbon is washed with an alkali solution before eluting the gold, and then the gold is eluted from the activated carbon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: JX NIPPON MINING & METALS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Hatano, Akira Yoshimura, Ryosuke Tatsumi
  • Patent number: 10059588
    Abstract: Contemplated systems and methods for removing polysulfides and hydrogen sulfide from liquid sulfur of a Claus plant include (a) physically separated steps of catalytic decomposition of polysulfides and gas stripping, or (b) use of the stripping gas as the continuous phase in a packed column with decomposition catalyst to so avoid catalyst attrition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen N. Fenderson, Vincent W. Wong
  • Patent number: 9758376
    Abstract: A process of producing degassed liquid sulfur using process gas containing H2S to agitate the liquid sulfur being degassed while in contact with a degassing catalyst. Process gas is less costly and less complicated and quickly accomplishes substantial degassing rendering the liquid sulfur much safer in storage and transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: PHILLIPS 66 COMPANY
    Inventor: Alfred E. Keller
  • Patent number: 9617154
    Abstract: A process is provided for liquid sulfur degasification in an underground container, comprising: collecting liquid sulfur which contains polysulfides and hydrogen sulfide in a first compartment of the underground container; agitating and creating turbulence in the liquid sulfur in the first compartment of the underground container; transferring the liquid sulfur into a second compartment of the underground container; injecting gas into the liquid sulfur into the second compartment of the underground container via gas spargers, and also injecting morpholine catalyst into the liquid sulfur in the second compartment of the underground container to produce a degassed liquid sulfur; and transferring the degassed liquid sulfur into a third compartment of the underground container for storage and subsequent removal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventors: Mahin Rameshni, Stephen L. Santo
  • Patent number: 9573081
    Abstract: A process of producing degassed liquid sulfur using agitation gas to agitate the liquid sulfur being degassed while in contact with a degassing catalyst. Process gas may be blended with the agitation gas wherein the process gas contains H2S to accomplish substantial degassing rendering the liquid sulfur much safer in storage and transportation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: PHILLIPS 66 COMPANY
    Inventor: Alfred E. Keller
  • Patent number: 9028792
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for recovering sulfur (9). In a sour gas scrubbing apparatus (S) comprises a scrubbing part (SP) and a regeneration part (RP), wherein sulfur components and carbon dioxide are selectively removed from a crude synthesis gas (2) with the aid of a circulating scrubbing agent (3). A sulfur-containing gas fraction (8) produced during the regeneration of loaded scrubbing agent is supplied to a sulfur recovery system (SR) in which an off-gas (10) comprising carbon dioxide and also sulfur components is formed. The off-gas is hydrogenated (H) and subsequently subjected to a gas scrubbing operation (Z). The hydrogenated off-gas (12) is scrubbed, independently of the crude synthesis gas (2), and scrubbing agent (13) removed from the scrubbing agent circuit of the sour gas scrubbing apparatus (S) is used to scrub out sulfur components from the hydrogenated off-gas (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Linde Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ulvi Kerestecioglu, Alexander Brandl
  • Publication number: 20140348741
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for recovering sulfur (9). In a sour gas scrubbing apparatus (S) comprises a scrubbing part (SP) and a regeneration part (RP), wherein sulfur components and carbon dioxide are selectively removed from a crude synthesis gas (2) with the aid of a circulating scrubbing agent (3). A sulfur-containing gas fraction (8) produced during the regeneration of loaded scrubbing agent is supplied to a sulfur recovery system (SR) in which an off-gas (10) comprising carbon dioxide and also sulfur components is formed. The off-gas is hydrogenated (H) and subsequently subjected to a gas scrubbing operation (Z). The hydrogenated off-gas (12) is scrubbed, independently of the crude synthesis gas (2), and scrubbing agent (13) removed from the scrubbing agent circuit of the sour gas scrubbing apparatus (S) is used to scrub out sulfur components from the hydrogenated off-gas (12).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: LINDE AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Ulvi KERESTECIOGLU, Alexander BRANDL
  • Patent number: 8871176
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for reducing sulfur emission of a sulfur plant, wherein the sulfur plant includes a thermal reaction unit, a catalytic reaction unit and a tail-gas purification unit, the process is characterized in that the waste-gas from the degassing of the liquid sulfur in the liquid sulfur tank is introduced into the catalytic reaction unit, and/or the waste-gas from the degassing of the liquid sulfur in the liquid sulfur tank is introduced into the tail-gas purification unit. In present invention, the H2S in purified tail-gas can be reduced to no more than 10 ppm(v) and the SO2 emission concentration of the sulfur plant can be reduced to no more than 100 mg/m3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Aihua Liu, Yongchang Xu, Qinshu Li, Jianbang Ren, Jianli Liu, Yiling Zhang
  • Patent number: 8702842
    Abstract: A method for removing elemental sulfur from a hot gas stream, such as an autoclave vent gas, while simultaneously cooling the gas stream. The method results in conversion of sulfur in the hot gas stream to the form of solid, non-sticky sulfur allotropes such as rhombic sulfur while avoiding formation of sticky sulfur allotropes such as monoclinic sulfur, thereby avoiding scaling and fouling of plant equipment. According the method, the hot gas stream is contacted with an aqueous medium containing a particulate material inside a quench vessel having a first inlet for the hot gas stream, a second inlet for the aqueous medium, and an outlet for removing a sulfur-containing liquid fraction from the vessel. At least a portion of the sulfur contained in the hot gas stream, along with other condensable materials, becomes incorporated into the aqueous medium and is subsequently drained from the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Hatch Ltd.
    Inventors: Kevin S. Fraser, William E. McCombe
  • Patent number: 8679448
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Fluor Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Chow, Theresa Flood, Elmo Nasato, Uday Navin Parekh
  • Publication number: 20140065057
    Abstract: A novel system and method for degassing H2S and H2Sx from liquid sulfur (sulphur) is disclosed. The system includes a degassing vessel with a plurality of cells. The cells include a sparging gas mat with a perforated surface at the bottom of the cell to allow the release of air bubbles (or sparging gas) into the cells. A catalyst may be used during the process. As a result, hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen polysulfide are efficiently and effectively removed from the liquid sulfur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Inventors: Casey J. Metheral, Leslie L. Lang, Jamsheed P. Irani, Cody J. Wohlers, Sergio A. De Paoli
  • Patent number: 8663596
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Fluor Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Diwakar Garg, Xianming Jimmy Li, Uday Navin Parekh, Jung Soo Choe, Elmo Nasato
  • Patent number: 8597581
    Abstract: A system may include a sulfur recovery unit. The sulfur recovery unit may include an acid gas supply, which may supply acid gas, an oxygen supply, which may supply oxygen, a fuel supply, which may supply fuel. The fuel may have a higher heating value than the acid gas. Also, the sulfur recovery unit may include a thermal reaction zone, which may thermally recover sulfur from the acid gas by combustion of the fuel and the acid gas with the oxygen and through reaction of the acid gas with combustion products arising from the combustion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Sachin Suhas Naphad, Ganesh Prasadh Kidambi
  • Patent number: 8425783
    Abstract: A system and method for removing contaminant from sulfur (or sulphur) to a level that allows re-processed sulfur to reenter a supply chain. The system and method melt contaminated sulfur, filters the molten sulfur, and then dispenses the less contaminated sulfur after filtering it. More specifically, solid contaminated sulfur enters a settling tank, while heated molten sulfur circulates through the system and the settling tank. The circulation of the molten sulfur assists in the melting process of the solid sulfur, allowing the solid sulfur to melt efficiently. In preferred embodiments of the system, the system uses steam jacked sulfur lines and steam tracing to maintain temperatures for melting the solid sulfur and maintaining the molten state of the sulfur circulating through the system. Furthermore, the system comprises a programmable logic controller, which controls motors, pumps, valves, and environment monitoring instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Brimrock International Inc.
    Inventors: Leslie L. Lang, Paul R. Larson, John A. MacDonald
  • Patent number: 8361432
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Fluor Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Uday Navin Parekh, Stephen Neal Fenderson, Diwakar Garg, Guglielmo Nasato
  • Publication number: 20120148479
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Uday Navin Parekh, Stephen Neal Fenderson, Diwakar Garg, Guglielmo Nasato
  • Patent number: 8084013
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for degasification of Claus-derived sulfur by the use of gas-liquid eductor using the liquid sulfur as the ejector motive force and ambient sweep air as the active degassing agent combined with a static mixer and packed bed for promoting the intimate contact of the air and the sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: KPS Technology & Engineering LLC
    Inventors: Mark R. Tonjes, David K. Stevens, Lindsay D. Dreitzler, Alan D. Mosher
  • Patent number: 8075866
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing hydrogen sulfide from liquid sulfur including: passing a liquid sulfur feed comprising liquid sulfur and hydrogen sulfide to a vaporizer; vaporizing at least a portion of the liquid sulfur feed in the vaporizer to thereby form a first vapor stream comprising gaseous sulfur and gaseous hydrogen sulfide; partially condensing the first vapor stream in a condenser to form a liquid product stream comprising liquid sulfur and a second vapor stream comprising hydrogen sulfide; wherein the liquid product stream has a lower concentration of hydrogen sulfide than the liquid sulfur feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Alfred E. Keller, Nathan A. Hatcher, Sriram Ramani, Terry D. Pruitt, Michael D. Smith
  • Patent number: 7998451
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing hydrogen sulfide from liquid sulfur including: passing a liquid sulfur feed comprising liquid sulfur and hydrogen sulfide to a vaporizer; vaporizing at least a portion of the liquid sulfur feed in the vaporizer to thereby form a first vapor stream comprising gaseous sulfur and gaseous hydrogen sulfide; partially condensing the first vapor stream in a condenser to form a liquid product stream comprising liquid sulfur and a second vapor stream comprising hydrogen sulfide; wherein the liquid product stream has a lower concentration of hydrogen sulfide than the liquid sulfur feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Alfred E. Keller, Nathan A. Hatcher, Sriram Ramani, Terry D. Pruitt, Michael D Smith
  • Publication number: 20110182802
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Publication date: July 28, 2011
    Applicant: AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
    Inventors: Diwakar Garg, Xianming Jimmy Li, Uday Navin Parekh, Jung Soo Choe, Elmo Nasato
  • Patent number: 7927577
    Abstract: Systems and methods for the collection of liquid sulfur with integrated degassing are described, wherein the system and methods include the use of one or more liquid jet pumps or eductors employing a pumped liquid sulfur recycle stream as motive fluid to boost sulfur rundown pressure. The new invention eliminates piping constraints inherent with conventional gravity flow, thus permitting location of the sulfur collection vessel above ground and remote from the sulfur recovery unit. In addition, the described methods provide entrainment and enough agitation in the liquid sulfur such that simultaneously degassing occurs within the sulfur collection piping and associated systems described herein. The instant systems and methods are integrated with the degassing system, meaning that the sulfur will be initially degassed during the collection process, and then further degassing occurs by the methods described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Worleyparsons Group, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahin Rameshni, Stephen L. Santo
  • Patent number: 7918994
    Abstract: A system for removing contaminant from sulfur to a level that allows re-processed sulfur to reenter a supply chain. The system melts contaminated sulfur, filters the molten sulfur, and then dispenses the less contaminated sulfur after filtering it. More specifically, solid contaminated sulfur enters a settling tank, while heated molten sulfur circulates through the system and the settling tank. The circulation of the molten sulfur assists in the melting process of the solid sulfur, allowing the solid sulfur to melt efficiently. In preferred embodiments of the system, the system uses steam jacked sulfur lines and steam tracing to maintain temperatures for melting the solid sulfur and maintaining the molten state of the sulfur circulating through the system. Furthermore, the system comprises a programmable logic controller, which controls motors, pumps, valves, and environment monitoring instruments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Brimrock International Inc.
    Inventors: Leslie Lloyd Leroy Lang, Paul Roy Larson, John Alexander MacDonald
  • Patent number: 7837971
    Abstract: A process comprising contacting a solvent with a sulfur stream comprising sulfur and a contaminant, separating the sulfur from at least some of the contaminant and at least some of the solvent, thereby producing a decontaminated sulfur stream, contacting the decontaminated sulfur with a washing agent, and separating the sulfur from at least some of the washing agent, thereby producing a purified sulfur stream comprising elemental sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Yellow Hill LLC
    Inventors: Eric Prim, Naomi Baker
  • Publication number: 20100021371
    Abstract: A process comprising contacting a solvent with a sulfur stream comprising sulfur and a contaminant, separating the sulfur from at least some of the contaminant and at least some of the solvent, thereby producing a decontaminated sulfur stream, contacting the decontaminated sulfur with a washing agent, and separating the sulfur from at least some of the washing agent, thereby producing a purified sulfur stream comprising elemental sulfur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: YELLOW HILL LLC
    Inventors: Eric PRIM, Naomi BAKER
  • Publication number: 20090136414
    Abstract: Sulfur sought to be removed from deposits formed at a subterranean gas producing well is dissolved in a high boiling point relatively pure and low cost non-aqueous solvent. The dissolved sulfur is then removed from the solvent by lowering the temperature of the solution to precipitate the sulfur which is then separated and recovered as a relatively pure product. After additional processing the regenerated solvent is injected back down the well hole to dissolve additional sulfur and reutilized in successive cycles of the process. An amine or solubilizing agent may be added to the non-aqueous solvent, and an oxidizing agent may be provided during the process to oxidize polysulfides to sulfur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Inventors: Bryan J. Petrinec, David M. Seeger
  • Patent number: 7294327
    Abstract: A relatively simple and energy efficient multiple stage cryogenic process for the purification of a hydrogen-rich stream by the removal of acid gases, mainly CO2 and H2S, by method of autorefrigeration and delivering or producing those acid gases, mainly CO2, at pressure sufficiently high for disposal by containment, commonly known as sequestration. Autorefrigeration is comprised of (a) condensing acid gases from the syngas stream by cooling the syngas, (b) separating the liquefied acid gases from the syngas, and (c) evaporating the liquefied acid gases at a pressure lower than that of the syngas to provide cooling. The process is composed of multiple autorefrigeration stages to generate multiple acid gas product streams with a pressure as high as practical in each stream so as to lessen the power needed to pressurize the acid gas streams for sequestration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Tennessee Valley Authority
    Inventors: Timmons S. McClanahan, Michael C. Crim
  • Patent number: 7266173
    Abstract: A method for distillation of sulfur for preparing radioactive phosphorous nuclide includes the steps of: charging powdered sulfur into a target tube designed to have an upper and a bottom neck; degassing the target tube to form a vacuum therein, followed by heating the upper neck to seal the target tube; irradiating neutrons into the sealed target tube to produce radioactive phosphorous nuclide; heating the distillation zone to distill the remaining unreacted sulfur; and cleaving the target tube at the bottom neck to separate the distillation and the cooling zone from each other, the separated zones containing the radioactive phosphorous nuclide and the unreacted sulfur, respectively, whereby the radioactive phosphorous nuclide of high purity can be prepared while the sulfur can be recovered at high efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute
    Inventors: Hyon Soo Han, Ul Jae Park, Hyeon Young Shin, Kwon Mo Yoo
  • 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: 6887447
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inhibiting the evolution of H2S from sulfhydryl compounds in molten sulfur by using scavenging agents such as anhydrides and polymers thereof, conjugated ketones, carbonates, epoxides, monoesters and diesters of unsaturated dicarboxylic acids and polymers of these esters, and the like and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, it is preferred that the scavenging agent is in liquid form at contact temperature with the molten sulfur. In another embodiment, the scavenging agent may be atomized into the vapor space over the molten sulfur to contact the sulfur with the agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: John A. Schield, Weldon J. Cappel, Jerry J. Weers, Glenn L. Roof
  • Publication number: 20040241083
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and process for treating sulfur at an elevated pressure. Embodiments of the system comprise a vessel into which the sulfur is injected and a device for alleviating the pressure of the sulfur.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: S & B Engineers and Constructors, Ltd.
    Inventor: Ronald E. Jones
  • Patent number: 6706250
    Abstract: A process for the purification of sulfur that contains impurities is described. In a contact zone (1), solid sulfur (2) is brought into contact with at least one organic solvent (16) that is selected from the group that is formed by monohydric alcohols with 8 to 40 carbon atoms, polyols that comprise 2 to 8 hydroxyl groups and that have 8 to 40 carbon atoms, polyalkylene glycols and polyalkylene glycol ethers under suitable conditions for carrying out the melting of sulfur. The supply of sulfur is halted, and the mixture that is obtained is allowed to decant so as to produce the segregation or liquid/liquid separation of the purified liquid sulfur that is obtained and organic solvent that contains impurities. At least a portion of the purified liquid sulfur is drawn off (8) from the lower portion of the contact zone. The solvent can be used until it is saturated with products that are dissolved and/or in suspension, no longer allowing the separation of the liquid sulfur and the solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Pierre-Louis Carrette, Thierry Huard, Christian Streicher
  • Patent number: 6696037
    Abstract: A sulfurous compound such as a sulfur-rich “float” (concentrate) obtained by flotation of the residue from the leaching of a zinc concentrate is heated at a temperature not lower than the melting point of sulfur but below its boiling point, preferably not higher than 200° C., more preferably not higher than 140° C., and the evolving gas containing sulfur vapor is cooled at a temperature less than the melting point of sulfur, preferably at ordinary temperature, to condense sulfur.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Dowa Mining Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Watanabe, Toyohisa Fujita, Kaoru Saruta
  • Patent number: 6676918
    Abstract: A method for removing hydrogen sulfide from liquid sulfur, comprising introducing liquid sulfur containing hydrogen sulfide in an upstream portion of a conduit. The conduit has a fluid outlet in a downstream portion thereof located within a lower portion of a first vessel. The method further includes causing the liquid sulfur to flow through the conduit outlet into the first vessel, up an annulus formed between the conduit and the first vessel and overflow through an outlet positioned at an upper portion of the first vessel into a second vessel which is connected to a liquid sulfur pit operating at atmospheric pressure. Air is introduced into the liquid sulfur located in the annulus at a point between the conduit outlet and said first vessel outlet. The flows concurrently to the direction of flow of the liquid sulfur in the annulus and out of the first vessel outlet into the second vessel thereby removing hydrogen sulfide from the liquid sulfur in the annulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company
    Inventors: Francis Sui Lun Wu, Michael Allen Capone, Raymond Paul Shapka, David Ian Devenny
  • Publication number: 20030232003
    Abstract: A method for removing hydrogen sulfide from liquid sulfur, comprising introducing liquid sulfur containing hydrogen sulfide in an upstream portion of a conduit. The conduit has a fluid outlet in a downstream portion thereof located within a lower portion of a first vessel. The method further includes causing the liquid sulfur to flow through the conduit outlet into the first vessel, up an annulus formed between the conduit and the first vessel and overflow through an outlet positioned at an upper portion of the first vessel into a second vessel which is connected to a liquid sulfur pit operating at atmospheric pressure. Air is introduced into the liquid sulfur located in the annulus at a point between the conduit outlet and said first vessel outlet. The flows concurrently to the direction of flow of the liquid sulfur in the annulus and out of the first vessel outlet into the second vessel thereby removing hydrogen sulfide from the liquid sulfur in the annulus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 21, 2003
    Publication date: December 18, 2003
    Inventors: Francis Sui Lun Wu, Michael Allen Capone, Raymond Paul Shapka, David Ian Devenny
  • Patent number: 6656445
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inhibiting the evolution of H2S from sulfhydryl compounds in molten sulfur by using scavenging agents such as anhydrides and polymers thereof, conjugated ketones, carbonates, epoxides, monoesters and diesters of unsaturated dicarboxylic acids and polymers of these esters, and the like and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, it is preferred that the scavenging agent is in liquid form at contact temperature with the molten sulfur. In another embodiment, the scavenging agent may be atomized into the vapor space over the molten sulfur to contact the sulfur with the agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Baker Hughes Incorporated
    Inventors: John A. Schield, Weldon J. Cappel, Jerry J. Weers, Glenn L. Roof
  • Patent number: 6569398
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method in which hydrogen sulfide-containing liquid sulfur is introduced into a containment vessel to partially fill the containment vessel and create a hydrogen sulfide-containing liquid sulfur phase and a hydrogen sulfide-containing vapor phase. A portion of the hydrogen sulfide-containing liquid sulfur phase is then treated to produce a liquid sulfur-containing phase and a gaseous hydrogen sulfide-containing phase, such that the gaseous hydrogen sulfide-containing phase has a pressure of at least about 60 psig. A portion of the hydrogen sulfide-containing vapor phase is then withdrawn from the containment vessel using at least one eductor driven by a motive fluid, where the motive fluid is the gaseous hydrogen sulfide-containing phase from the container vessel. The hydrogen sulfide-containing waste gas stream exiting the eductor is then treated to reduce the hydrogen-sulfide content of the waste gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2003
    Assignee: GAA Engineered Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Fenderson
  • Publication number: 20030095915
    Abstract: A method for distillation of sulfur for preparing radioactive phosphorous nuclide includes the steps of: charging powdered sulfur into a target tube designed to have an upper and a bottom neck; degassing the target tube to form a vacuum therein, followed by heating the upper neck to seal the target tube; irradiating neutrons into the sealed target tube to produce radioactive phosphorous nuclide; heating the distillation zone to distill the remaining unreacted sulfur; and cleaving the target tube at the bottom neck to separate the distillation and the cooling zone from each other, the separated zones containing the radioactive phosphorous nuclide and the unreacted sulfur, respectively, whereby the radioactive phosphorous nuclide of high purity can be prepared while the sulfur can be recovered at high efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Hyon Soo Han, Ul Jae Park, Hyeon Young Shin, Kwon Mo Yoo
  • Patent number: 6495117
    Abstract: Elemental sulfur is recovered from the hydrogen sulfide present in natural gases and other process gases by treating the hydrogen sulfide-containing gas in a series arrangement of a liquid-phase reactor; a furnace and a sulfur dioxide absorber. The hydrogen sulfide-containing gas and a sulfur dioxide-containing gas are fed into the liquid-phase reactor where they are dissolved into a solvent, such as polyglycol monoethers, diethers of ethylene glycol, diethers of propylene glycol, etc., and react in the presence of a catalyst, such as tertiary amine, pyridine, isoquinoline, etc., to produce elemental sulfur. The feed rates of the hydrogen sulfide-containing gas and the sulfur dioxide-containing gas are selected so that there will be an excess of hydrogen sulfide in the solvent thereby ensuring that the reaction products will include, not only the elemental sulfur, but also residual, unreacted hydrogen sulfide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2002
    Assignee: Regents of the University of California
    Inventor: Scott Lynn
  • Publication number: 20020081261
    Abstract: A process for the purification of sulfur that contains impurities is described. In a contact zone (1), solid sulfur (2) is brought into contact with at least one organic solvent (16) that is selected from the group that is formed by monohydric alcohols with 8 to 40 carbon atoms, polyols that comprise 2 to 8 hydroxyl groups and that have 8 to 40 carbon atoms, polyalkylene glycols and polyalkylene glycol ethers under suitable conditions for carrying out the melting of sulfur. The supply of sulfur is halted, and the mixture that is obtained is allowed to decant so as to produce the segregation or liquid/liquid separation of the purified liquid sulfur that is obtained and organic solvent that contains impurities. At least a portion of the purified liquid sulfur is drawn off (8) from the lower portion of the contact zone. The solvent can be used until it is saturated with products that are dissolved and/or in suspension, no longer allowing the separation of the liquid sulfur and the solvent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Applicant: Institut Francais du Petrole
    Inventors: Pierre-Louis Carrette, Thierry Huard, Christian Streicher
  • Publication number: 20020068034
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for inhibiting the evolution of H2S from sulfhydryl compounds in molten sulfur by using scavenging agents such as anhydrides and polymers thereof, conjugated ketones, carbonates, epoxides, monoesters and diesters of unsaturated dicarboxylic acids and polymers of these esters, and the like and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, it is preferred that the scavenging agent is in liquid form at contact temperature with the molten sulfur. In another embodiment, the scavenging agent may be atomized into the vapor space over the molten sulfur to contact the sulfur with the agent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2001
    Publication date: June 6, 2002
    Inventors: John A. Schield, Weldon J. Cappel, Jerry J. Weers, Glenn L. Roof
  • Patent number: 6334991
    Abstract: A sulfur purification process is provided. Ash-containing molten sulfur is fed to a centrifuge and subjected to centrifugation under controlled conditions at G forces at least about 4,000 times that of gravity. The centrifugation generates a purified sulfur product and a high-solids sulfur waste stream. A solid bowl disc centrifuge provided with conical discs is used to effect the centrifugal separation of solids from liquids at G forces of at least about 4,000. The centrifuge and related piping system are equipped with heating means so as to maintain the temperature of the sulfur above about 250° F. If large volumes of sulfur are to be treated, e.g., 40 or more long tons per hour, a pretreatment step, where the molten sulfur is first subjected to centrifugation at G forces at least about 4,000 times that of gravity in one or more nozzle bowl centrifuges, is added in order to obtain satisfactory results.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2002
    Assignee: Freeport-McMoRan Sulphur LLC
    Inventors: Robin Whitney Strickland, Jay Charles Smith