Gas sweetening in field operations
There are a number of methods available for removal of hydrogen sulfide from gases. Generally, carbon dioxide is removed at the same time as hydrogen sulfide, if it is present. Hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide are both acidic in an aqueous solution and are referred to as acid gases. Caustic treating is used mostly to sweeten small volumes of sour gas. In the iron sponge process, iron oxide reacts with hydrogen sulfide to form iron sulfide. Carbon dioxide in the gas does not react with the iron oxide, and is not affected by this process. The amine treating of natural gas for removal of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide is probably the most widely used process for sweetening gas in the natural gas industry. Monoethanolamine (MEA) solutions are used extensively where there is no carbonyl sulfide present. Molecular sieve and adsorbents are used to remove hydrogen sulfide, mercaptans, and heavier sulfur compounds from gases. Any sour gas can be sweetened; however, a proper selection of the sweetening process will enhance economics of treating operations. Flow diagrams of varous methods are illustrated.
- Research Organization:
- Getty Oil Co.
- OSTI ID:
- 6816132
- Journal Information:
- Gas (Houston); (United States), Vol. 46:5
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Conventional sweetening processes
Iron sponge is economical and effective for NGL sweetening
Related Subjects
HYDROGEN SULFIDES
REMOVAL
NATURAL GAS
DESULFURIZATION
ADSORPTION
CARBON DIOXIDE
ENGINEERING
MOLECULAR SIEVES
PURIFICATION
SULFUR
ADSORBENTS
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
ELEMENTS
ENERGY SOURCES
FLUIDS
FOSSIL FUELS
FUEL GAS
FUELS
GAS FUELS
GASES
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
NONMETALS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SORPTION
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
030300* - Natural Gas- Drilling
Production
& Processing