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Removal of hydrogen sulfide from fluid streams with minimum production of solids

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5617812

A continuous process is described for removing hydrogen sulfide from a fluid stream, comprising: incinerating hydrogen sulfide to form sulfur dioxide; selectively absorbing the sulfur dioxide in an alkaline aqueous solution without substantial carbon dioxide absorption to form a solution of sulfites essentially free of insoluble carbonates; contacting the fluid stream in a first reaction zone with an aqueous solution at a pH range suitable for hydrogen sulfide removal wherein the solution contains an effective amount of polyvalent metal chelate to convert the hydrogen sulfide to sulfur and to reduce the polyvalent metal chelate to a lower oxidation state; contacting the sulfur with the sulfites to form sulfur compounds; contacting the reduced polyvalent metal chelate in a second reaction zone with oxygen to reoxidize the polyvalent metal chelate; and recirculating the reoxidized polyvalent metal chelate back to the fluid stream/aqueous chelate solution contacting step.

Assignee:
Dow Chemical Co., Midland, MI
Patent Number(s):
US 4830838
OSTI ID:
5617812
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English