Removal of hydrogen sulfide from simulated geothermal brines by reaction with oxygen. Final report, October 6, 1975--February 4, 1977

Technical Report · Fri Apr 01 04:00:00 EST 1977

OSTI ID:7213971

Wilson, J S; King, J E; Bullard, G R

A process for controlling hydrogen sulfide emissions and corrosivity in geothermal systems has been evaluated on a small laboratory pilot plant scale and shown to be technically feasible. The hydrogen sulfide was oxidized by oxygen injected directly into an 11.4-liter-(3-gallon)-per-minute flowing stream of simulated geothermal brine. The oxidation of the sulfide was complete at oxygen:sulfide mole ratios of 1.25:1 to 1.5:1, depending on temperature and total dissolved solids in the brine. The reaction products were free sulfur, sulfite and sulfate. The reaction occurred too rapidly to measure in the apparatus designed. It is proposed that no addition of catalysts will be necessary. Further testing on actual geothermal waters will be necessary to assure the practical use of this process. However, it is presently proposed that oxygen would be injected in preference to air to avoid nitrogen introduction into the water. The injection would take place at the well-head to provide a less corrosive water in the pipelines of the gathering field. Two conceptual designs are presented for the injection system.

• Research Organization: Dow Chemical Co., Freeport, TX (USA)
• OSTI ID: 7213971
• Report Number(s): COO-2797-1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

15 GEOTHERMAL ENERGY
150903* -- Geothermal Engineering-- Corrosion
Scaling & Materials Development
BRINES
CATALYSTS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
CRYOGENIC FLUIDS
ELEMENTS
FLUIDS
FUNCTIONAL MODELS
GEOTHERMAL FLUIDS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
HYDROGEN SULFIDES
NONMETALS
OXIDATION
OXYGEN
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
PILOT PLANTS
REMOVAL
SIMULATION
SULFATES
SULFIDES
SULFUR
SULFUR COMPOUNDS