An investigation of reaction furnace temperatures and sulfur recovery

In a modern day sulfur recovery unit (SRU), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) is converted to elemental sulfur using a modified Claus unit. A process simulator called TSWEET has been used to consider the Claus process. The effect of the H₂S concentration, the H₂S/CO₂ ratio, the input air flow rate, the acid gas flow of the acid gas (AG) splitter and the temperature of the acid gas feed at three different oxygen concentrations (in the air input) on the main burner temperature have been studied. Also the effects of the tail gas ratio and the catalytic bed type on the sulfur recovery were studied. The bed temperatures were optimized in order to enhance the sulfur recovery for a given acid gas feed and air input. Initially when the fraction of AG splitter flow to the main burner was increased, the temperature of the main burner increased to a maximum but then decreased sharply when the flow fraction was further increased; this was true for all three concentrations of oxygen. However, if three other parameters (the concentration of H₂S, the ratio H₂S/CO₂ and the flow rate of air) were increased, the temperature of the main burner increased monotonically. This increase had different slopes depending on the oxygen concentration in the input air. But, by increasing the temperature of the acid gas feed, the temperature of the main burner decreased. In general, the concentration of oxygen in the input air into the Claus unit had little effect on the temperature of the main burner (This is true for all parameters). The optimal catalytic bed temperature, tail gas ratio and type of catalytic bed were also determined and these conditions are a minimum temperature of 300°C, a ratio of 2.0 and a hydrolysing Claus bed.     

Claus Catalysis and H2S Selective Oxidation

This review article deals with the development of sulfur recovery from the Claus process to H₂S selective oxidation. Governments are constantly tightening regulations to limit the emission of sulfur compounds into the air. This makes it necessary to constantly enhance the level of sulfur recovery from natural, refinery, or coal gasification geses, and many improvements in the Claus process have been introduced to this end. In this review, emphasis has been put on the mechanism of reactions occurring in most of the sulfur recovery units, reactions between H₂S and SO₂ or O₂ and side reactions such as hydrolysis of COS and CS₂ or sulfation of the catalyst.     

Selective catalytic reduction of sulfur dioxide with hydrogen to elemental sulfur over Co---Mo/Al2O3

The selective reduction of sulfur dioxide with hydrogen to elemental sulfur was studied over Co---Mo/Al₂O₃. When the feed conditions were properly optimized (SO₂/H₂ mole RATIO = 1:3), a sulfur yield of about 80% was achieved at temperatures around 300°C. The temperature is the lowest that has been reported so far for any catalyst for this reaction. The catalytic activity remained high and stable after presulfiding with 10% H₂S in hydrogen. Little influence on the catalytic activity was observed if the water content in the feed was kept below 11 vol.-%. The overall reaction consisted of two individual steps occurring on two different sites; sulfur dioxide was first hydrogenated to hydrogen sulfide on the metal sulfide phase, then followed by the Claus reaction of hydrogen sulfide with sulfur dioxide to produce elemental sulfur on the acidic sites of the alumina support.     

Conversion of sulfur dioxide to sulfate and hydrogen sulfide by Desulfotomaculum orientis

The autotrophic, sulfate-reducing bacterium, Desulfotomaculum orientis, grew in batch culture with molecular hydrogen (H₂) as an energy source, carbon dioxide (CO₂) as a carbon source and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) as the terminal electron acceptor. At high H₂ partial pressure, SO₂ was stoichiometrically reduced to hydrogen sulfide (H₂S). At low partial pressures of hydrogen (< 0.025 atm), SO₂ was both oxidized to sulfate and reduced to hydrogen sulfide. These results indicated a new mode of sulfur metabolism for D. orientis.     

SIMULTANEOUS ABSORPTION OF AN ACID GAS (H2S) AND A BASIC GAS (NH3) IN A SCRUBBING DEVICE

H₂S and NH₃ are major contaminants in many synfuel process gas streams. The H₂S is frequently removed by dissociation and reaction in scrubbers using alkaline scrubbing liquids. Some of the NH₃ is removed by simple dissolution in the same unit; the remaining NH₃ can be removed in a second scrubber using a mildly acidic liquid. The first scrubbing stage in such a system is novel in that an acidic gas (H₂S) and a basic gas (NH₃) are absorbed simultaneously. In this paper, the interesting behavior of this simultaneous acid gas-basic gas scrubbing process is described and discussed. The percentage H₂S and NH₃, absorption as a function of the injected liquid pH, the liquid-to-gas ratio, and the NH₃ content of the gas stream have been determined.     

Oxidation of H2S on activated carbon KAU and influence of the surface state

Properties of the oxidized activated carbon KAU treated at different temperatures in inert atmosphere were studied by means of DTA, Boehm titration, XPS and AFM methods and their catalytic activity in H₂S oxidation by air was determined. XPS analysis has shown the existence of three types of oxygen species on carbon catalysts surface. The content of oxygen containing groups determined by Boehm titration is correlated with their amount obtained by XPS. Catalytic activity of the KAU catalysts in selective oxidation of hydrogen sulfide is connected with chemisorbed charged oxygen species (O_3.1 oxygen type with BE 536.8–537.7 eV) present on the carbons surface.

Formation of dense sulfur layer (islands of sulfur) on the carbons surface and removal of active oxygen species are the reason of the catalysts deactivation in H₂S selective oxidation. The treatment of deactivated catalyst in inert atmosphere at 300 °C gives full regeneration of the catalyst activity at low temperature reaction but only its partial reducing at high reaction temperature. The last case is connected with transformation of chemisorbed charged oxygen species into CO groups.

The KAU samples treated in flow of inert gas at 900–1000 °C were very active in H₂S oxidation to elemental sulfur transforming up to 51–57 mmol H₂S/g catalyst at 180 °C with formation of 1.7–1.9 g S_x/g catalyst.     

CATALYTIC PRODUCTION OF ELEMENTAL SULFUR FROM THE THERMAL DECOMPOSITION OF H2S IN THE PRESENCE OF CO2

The feasibility of using a cobalt-molybdenum (Co-Mo) sulfide catalyst that was prepared from a commercial Co-Mo oxide catalyst for the production of elemental sulfur from hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) in a packed bed catalytic reactor was studied. It was demonstrated that the desired sulfide catalyst could be prepared by first reducing, then sulphiding the corresponding oxide. The results showed that the prepared catalyst was capable of producing elemental sulfur from the thermal decomposition of H₂S in the presence of CO₂ over a temperature range of 465-700°C and at atmospheric pressure. A specific rate coefficient was calculated as well as the Arrhenius parameters for the non-equilibrated reaction. The H₂S decomposition reaction was found to be a second order reaction and have an activation energy of 114.4kJ/mol(27.3kcal/mol).     

Selective oxidation of H2S to elemental sulfur over chromium oxide catalysts

CrO_x and CrO_x supported on SiO₂ have been found to be active for the selective oxidation of hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur. The catalysts show maximum sulfur yield at a stoichiometric ratio of O₂/H₂S, 0.5. Amorphous Cr₂O₃ exhibits higher yield of sulfur and has stronger resistance against water than supported Cr/SiO₂, especially at low temperatures. At high temperatures above 300°C, the sulfur yield over the supported catalyst becomes similar to amorphous Cr₂O₃ because the Claus reaction occurring on the silica support removes SO₂ to increase the sulfur yield. Active sites are the amorphous monochromate species that can be detected as a strong temperature programmed reduction (TPR) peak at 470°C. Catalytic activity can be correlated with the amount of labile lattice oxygen and the strength of Cr–O bonding. The reaction proceeds via the redox mechanism with participation of lattice oxygen.     

液硫脱气与克劳斯尾气处理

采用三氧化二铝或二氧化硅固体催化剂进行的最新实验室研究表明,H2Sx先在催化剂表面的碱性位分解为H2S,然后被吹扫气从液硫中驱除出去.由于H2S从气相返回液相的传质是一个有限的过程,从理论上讲,这预示着可利用克劳斯尾气作为吹扫气.试验还揭示,在涂有三氧化二铝的堇青石上,脱气期间尾气中约60％的H2S和SO2转化为元素硫.这预示着(例如)可在硫冷凝器管内衬入涂有三氧化二铝的堇青石管,以在脱气的同时提高总转化率.     

化学链燃烧中H2S对NiFe2O4氧载体活性的影响机理

采用密度泛函理论方法研究H₂S与NiFe₂O₄（001）完整表面和氧缺陷表面的相互作用机理。结果表明,H₂S在NiFe₂O₄氧载体表面Ni原子位的吸附能比其在Fe原子位的吸附能大。氧缺陷的形成会使H₂S在氧载体表面金属原子位的吸附能增大,并且Ni原子位吸附H₂S的吸附能增加更为明显。因而,NiFe₂O₄氧载体表面的Ni原子位是H₂S的主要吸附位。同时采用热力学方法进一步研究含H₂S的合成气与NiFe₂O₄氧载体之间的反应,发现H₂S与氧载体的反应产物与氧载体的还原程度密切相关。由于铁氧化物的深度还原过程受到热力学限制,H₂S与NiFe₂O₄氧载体反应的主要产物为Ni₃S₂。密度泛函理论方法与热力学方法研究结果均表明H₂S倾向于与NiFe₂O₄氧载体中Ni发生相互作用,这将对NiFe₂O₄氧载体的反应性能产生不利影响。     

(NH4)2S吸收净化冶炼烟气中SO2回收硫资源的方法

采用(NH₄)₂S溶液吸收净化高浓度SO₂烟气,得到(NH₄)₂S₂O₃和NH₄HSO₃的混合溶液并转移至高压反应釜中,控制反应条件,两种物质发生自氧化还原反应,生成硫磺和(NH₄)₂SO₄.实验考察了吸收SO₂过程和自氧化还原过程的影响条件,结果表明:在pH=3～7,SO₂气体流速300 ml·min^-1,(NH₄)₂S浓度为0.2～1.2 mol·L^-1,常温条件下,烟气中二氧化硫的吸收率达到99.8%以上,且无H₂S生成;在pH=2.5～3.0,温度为130℃条件下,反应进行1 h,硫磺收率达到95%以上,溶液经过蒸发结晶得到(NH₄)₂SO₄.用X射线衍射(XRD)和X射线荧光光谱(XRF)对硫磺和硫酸铵进行表征分析,结果表明:硫磺的纯度为99.14%,硫酸铵中氮元素含量为23.6%.     

10MWth高硫石油焦化学链气化制合成气耦合硫磺回收新系统模拟研究

基于化学链气化技术依靠气固反应定向调控气化产物中H₂S和SO₂摩尔比为2的优势，将化学链气化与Claus工艺中的催化转化单元相结合，提出了高硫石油焦化学链气化制合成气和回收硫磺的新系统。针对系统核心单元，即化学链气化过程，基于Aspen Plus，开展热输入10 MW_th的高硫石油焦化学链气化过程模拟，以赤铁矿石为载氧体，水蒸气为气化介质，重点考察了氧碳比、气化温度对化学链气化过程及硫转化过程的影响。结果发现，氧碳比的增大导致合成气产率显著降低，但系统从需要外部提供能量逐渐转变为对外部放热，在氧碳比0.8669～0.9535区间内，系统可以达到热量自平衡。同时，气化温度的提高对合成气产率是有利的，在975℃时达到2.15 m³/kg，主要是由于CO体积分数随气化温度增加而增加。氧碳比和气化温度的提高都会导致H₂S浓度的降低和SO₂浓度的提高。并且研究了当H₂S和SO₂摩尔比为2的最佳工况时，氧碳比和气化温度为反相关，其中氧碳比为0.8669，气化温度为900℃时，冷煤气效率为64.09%。     

高炉煤气特征组分分析及其对脱硫过程的影响研究进展

高炉煤气（BFG）作为炼铁过程中副产的可燃气体,具有明显的资源回收价值,但其同时存在热值低、成分复杂等问题。目前大多数研究集中在对羰基硫（COS）、硫化氢（H₂S）等有害成分的脱除,而鲜有对高炉煤气特征组分的研究或报道。研究者对高炉煤气特征组分的来源、生成路径等不明朗,导致在研究过程中忽略了煤气复杂组分的相互影响,很多技术在工业应用时问题频发。本文阐述并分析了高炉煤气特征组分的来源及生成路径,进而讨论了高炉煤气特征组分对脱硫过程的影响。高炉原料、燃料和空气在高温条件下经过复杂的化学反应,生成粉尘、N₂、O₂、CO、CO₂、H₂、CH₄、H₂O、HCl、HCN、硫化物等共同组成高炉荒煤气,荒煤气中的O₂、CO_x、H₂、H₂O、HCl、硫化物等化学成分对COS转化或H₂S脱除过程产生影响,导致催化剂中毒或转化率下降。本文通过分析探讨特征组分在高炉煤气产生和脱硫净化过程中的相互作用及影响规律,为超低排放背景下高炉煤气的净化和资源化提供方向和参考。     

Desulfurization of digester gas: prediction of activated carbon bed performance at low concentrations of hydrogen sulfide

Three chemically modified/impregnated activated carbons (supplied by manufactures) were used for adsorption–catalytic removal of hydrogen sulfide from digester gas. The performance of samples was studied in dynamic conditions at 1000, 2000 and 5000 ppm of H₂S in digester gas. The results showed differences in the H₂S removal capacities related to the type of carbon and conditions of the experiment. A decrease in H₂S concentration resulted in an increase in a breakthrough capacity, which is linked to slow kinetics of oxidation process. No significant changes were observed when the oxygen content increased from 1 to 2% and the temperature from 38 to 60 °C. On the surface of carbons studied hydrogen sulfide was oxidized predominantly to sulfur, which was deposited in micropores, either on the walls or at the pore entrances. The capacities at low concentrations, 50 and 100 ppm, of H₂S were determined using an approach based on known theoretical solution of a dynamic model where the parameters of the model were determined from the experimental data at a high concentration of an adsorbate.     

污泥深度脱水调理剂对污泥干化过程中含硫气体释放的影响

采用5种复合调理剂改善污泥脱水性能,制得深度脱水泥饼。通过检测N₂气氛下,不同干化温度（100℃、200℃）,停留时间（30 min、60 min）时,不同调理脱水污泥含水率的变化情况,以及含硫气体的种类和释放量,探讨不同调理剂对干化过程中含硫气体释放特性的影响。结果表明,提高温度、延长时间都可以有效降低污泥的含水率;原污泥干化过程释放的主要含硫气体为H₂S和SO₂,其总量占含硫气体的82.4%;FeCl₃+CaO和H₂SO₄+FeSO₄+H₂O₂+CaO复合调理剂调理脱水泥饼在干化过程中SO₂释放量占原污泥释放量的40.3%和40.6%,H₂S则基本没有释放;H₂SO₄+FeSO₄+H₂O₂+CaO调理脱水污泥在100℃和200℃干化过程中的总硫释放量分别占原污泥总释放量的75.0%和45.6%,该复合调理剂在有效提高污泥脱水性能的基础上,能最大限度地抑制含硫气体的释放。     

Aspen Plus模拟高浓度H2S/CO2酸性气的选择性分离

以煤制氢尾气中的高浓度酸性气体H₂S和CO₂为对象,以聚乙二醇二甲醚（NHD）为吸收剂,使用PC-SAFT状态方程拟合了酸性气体CO₂和H₂S在聚乙二醇二甲醚（NHD）溶剂中溶解参数,运用Aspen Plus流程模拟软件,构建两级吸收分离工艺,实现H₂S和CO₂的高效分离,H₂S浓度由30%提升至98.7%,CO₂含量由55%提升至99.4%。由此,可以通过高效分离酸性气H₂S和CO₂,并以提浓后再资源化利用的方式实现酸性气的污染控制。     

Modeling and simulation of non-isothermal catalytic packed bed membrane reactor for H2S decomposition

The recovery of H₂ from H₂S is an economical alternative to the Claus process in petroleum and minerals processing industries. Previous studies [React. Kinet. Catal. Lett. 62 (1997) 55; Catal. Lett. 37 (1996) 167] have demonstrated that catalytic decomposition of H₂S over bimetallic sulfide can proceed at relatively higher rates than over mono-metallic systems due to chemical synergism although conversions are still thermodynamically limited. In the present study, the performance of a catalytic membrane reactor containing a packed bed of Ru–Mo sulfide catalyst has been investigated with a view to improving H₂ yield beyond the equilibrium ceiling. A system of differential equations describing the non-isothermal reactor model has been solved to examine the effect of important hydrodynamic and transport properties on conversion. The results were obtained using a Pt-coated Nb membrane tube as the catalytic reactor enclosed in a quartz shell cylinder. Reynolds number for shell and tube side (Re^s and Re^t) as well as the modified wall Peclet number, Pe_m, dramatically affect H₂S conversions. Membrane reactor conversion rose monotonically with axial distance exceeding the equilibrium conversion by as much as eight times under some conditions.     

HCN、COS和CS2催化水解及其水解产物协同净化的研究进展

氰化氢（HCN）、羰基硫（COS）、二硫化碳（CS₂）广泛共存于黄磷尾气、焦炉煤气、碳一化工等化工行业废气中,目前大多数研究局限于3种气体的单独脱除,3种气体同时脱除的研究鲜有报道,而3种气体的协同脱除势在必行。催化水解法能够将HCN转化成NH₃,COS和CS₂水解成H₂S。NH₃和H₂S可以分别被催化氧化为N₂及S,S可以回收利用。一步法实现HCN、COS和CS₂的水解及水解产物NH₃和H₂S的催化氧化的催化剂开发是该技术的核心问题,本文针对近几年3种气体水解催化剂的相关研究成果进行了综述,包括负载型催化剂和非负载型催化剂,与此同时,针对水解产物NH₃和H₂S的催化氧化的协同净化技术进行了分析,旨在为后续3种气体同时催化水解及协同净化其水解产物催化剂的开发提供理论指导,为低温环境下协同催化水解HCN、COS和CS₂,并利用原料气中的氧一步法净化水解产物技术的未来发展及应用提供参考。     

PASSIVATION OF MERCURY CONTAMINANTS IN PROCESS SYSTEMS

Mercury contamination from gas and condensate can cause concerns in the safe operation of LNG plants, LPG plants and naphtha crackers. The mercury contamination is tenacious and it is difficult to decontaminate the systems by clean gas or condensate purging. We have demonstrated in the laboratory that the systems contaminated with mercury, both from gas and liquids condensate, can be passivated effectively. The most effective passivation procedure is to discontinue the normal processing, remove the hydrocarbon from the system, inject H₂S gas into the system for adsorption and then flow with air, both at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. Because of its effectiveness, simplicity, and mild condition this process lends itself to held applications in the plants and storage tanks. The process could be implemented safely by handling H₂S carefully, injecting H₂S slowly and stopping H₂S injection as soon as the H₂S could be detected at the exit of the system.

The procedure involves three chemical steps. The H₂S is adsorbed on the Hg and then reacts with O₂ to form nascent sulfur [S], Finally, [S] reacts with Hg to form innocuous HgS. This procedure appears to be effective for all types of Hg compounds, including the organic mercury in the condensate.     

Catalytic synthesis of methanethiol from hydrogen sulfide and carbon monoxide over vanadium-based catalysts

The direct synthesis of methanethiol, CH₃SH, from CO and H₂S was investigated using sulfided vanadium catalysts based on TiO₂ and Al₂O₃. These catalysts yield high activity and selectivity to methanethiol at an optimized temperature of 615 K. Carbonyl sulfide and hydrogen are predominant products below 615 K, whereas above this temperature methane becomes the preferred product. Methanethiol is formed by hydrogenation of COS, via surface thioformic acid and methylthiolate intermediates. Water produced in this reaction step is rapidly converted into CO₂ and H₂S by COS hydrolysis.

Titania was found to be a good catalyst for methanethiol formation. The effect of vanadium addition was to increase CO and H₂S conversion at the expense of methanethiol selectivity. High activities and selectivities to methanethiol were obtained using a sulfided vanadium catalyst supported on Al₂O₃. The TiO₂, V₂O₅/TiO₂ and V₂O₅/Al₂O₃ catalysts have been characterized by temperature programmed sulfidation (TPS). TPS profiles suggest a role of V₂O₅ in the sulfur exchange reactions taking place in the reaction network of H₂S and CO.