Development of a biologically enhanced liquid redox process for removal of H{sub 2}S from low quality natural gas
- Arctech, Inc., Chantilly, VA (United States)
Chelated iron catalyst used in state-of-the-art liquid redox technologies is presently regenerated by aeration. Recent studies at Texas A & M University, Kingsville, indicated that this regeneration can be enhanced biologically through incorporating Thiobacillus ferrooxidans. We present here data on biological regeneration of ARI-LO-CAT-II{reg_sign} catalyst at rates much higher than those obtained by Thiobacillus ferrooxidans. Reduced ARI-LO-CAT-II{reg_sign} catalyst was inoculated with three different proprietary cultures developed at ARCTECH, and the rate of regeneration was quantified by measuring the redox potential. The data indicate that at pH of 8 and 104 {degrees}F (40{degrees}C), and with or without air sparging, catalyst regeneration by one of the cultures, SA-1 was ten times as fast as with T ferrooxidans. Once regenerated by SA-1, the regenerated ARI-LO-CAT-II{reg_sign} catalyst could sweeten sour natural gas at the same rates as catalyst regenerated by T. ferrooxidans, but in contrast to T. ferrooxidans was able to do so at higher temperatures of 100 to 125 {degrees}F (38 to 52 {degrees}C) and in the pH range of 7 - 8. These conditions are similar to those commonly found at Sour Natural Gas sites. In addition, a preliminary economic analysis based on the conceptual design shows that there are considerable equipment cost savings because of smaller atmospheric pressure vessel requirements and the elimination of air blowers. Overall capital cost savings approach 23 % over the current state-of-the-art technologies.
- Research Organization:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States); Amoco Production Co., Houston, TX (United States); Conoco, Inc., Stamford, CT (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 377196
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9509296--; ON: DE96001221
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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