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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Process for removal of sour gases by scrubbing

Patent ·
OSTI ID:5654791

In the removal of sour gases by scrubbing with an aqueous alkali metal salt solution, e.g. a solution of K/sub 2/CO/sub 3/, the circulating scrubbing liquid is gradually contaminated with organic acids, especially formic acid, which in turn ties up K/sup +/ as the formate which is ineffective for scrubbing purposes. To remove the organic acids, at least a partial stream of the circulating scrubbing liquid is subjected to an oxidation step under conditions leading to the oxidation of the salts of the organic acids, thereby liberating the bound alkali metal ions. If the scrubbing liquid contains an oxidizable activator, the latter can be extracted prior to oxidation of the scrubbing liquid and added back subsequent to the oxidation.

Assignee:
Linde Aktiengesellschaft (Germany, Federal Republic Of)
Patent Number(s):
US 4399111
OSTI ID:
5654791
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English