Bubble Tower Scavenging Process for H2S Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processes for removing sulfur from hydrogen sulfide-containing gases require continuous and precise monitoring of hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide flow rates, leading to challenges in maintaining low emission levels and necessitating frequent maintenance of scavenger tanks.
Innovation Solution
A process utilizing a bubble tower with a solvent feed nozzle and sparger, where sulfur dioxide is injected into the solvent and hydrogen sulfide-containing gas is bubbled through, allowing for a simpler control scheme by maintaining a stoichiometric excess of sulfur dioxide to ensure low hydrogen sulfide emissions, eliminating the need for continuous analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If continuous and precise monitoring of hydrogen sulfide and sulfur dioxide flow rates is implemented, then emission levels can be controlled, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The process uses self-service control where the scavenger tank automatically maintains adequate sulfur dioxide levels through periodic addition, eliminating the need for complex continuous monitoring systems. The tank serves itself by maintaining sufficient reactant levels to ensure complete hydrogen sulfide conversion without requiring external control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of continuous monitoring and adjustment, the patent implements periodic addition of sulfur dioxide to the scavenger tank. This periodic action suffices to maintain emission levels within specifications, replacing complex continuous control with simple periodic replenishment of the limiting reactant.
2Reliability
If continuous monitoring and precise flow rate control are used, then hydrogen sulfide emissions can be reduced to low levels, but measurement precision requirements become excessively difficult to meet
Solution Approach 1:
The scavenger tank system is self-regulating in that it maintains sufficient sulfur dioxide levels through periodic addition, ensuring complete reaction with hydrogen sulfide. This eliminates the need for precise continuous measurement and control of flow rates, as the system automatically ensures adequate reactant availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs excessive action by maintaining a surplus of sulfur dioxide in the scavenger tank rather than using precise stoichiometric control. This partial excess ensures complete hydrogen sulfide conversion and low emissions without requiring precise measurement and control of flow rates, simplifying the measurement precision requirement.
3Reliability
If scavenger tanks are drained, cleaned and re-charged periodically, then maintenance is required, but this increases loss of time and operational disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The scavenger tank operates as a self-maintaining system where sulfur dioxide is periodically added to maintain reaction effectiveness. This self-service operation eliminates the need for draining, cleaning, and re-charging operations, thereby eliminating maintenance time loss while preserving process effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables continuous operation by maintaining sufficient sulfur dioxide levels in the scavenger tank through periodic addition. This continuity of useful action eliminates interruptions for maintenance activities, as the tank never requires draining or cleaning, ensuring uninterrupted hydrogen sulfide removal operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This process efficiently removes sulfur from hydrogen sulfide-containing gases, simplifying control and reducing maintenance needs by maintaining low hydrogen sulfide emissions without continuous monitoring, while allowing for periodic addition of sulfur dioxide to ensure compliance with emission standards.
Implementation Method 1
chemically reacting the hydrogen sulfide with the sulfur dioxide in the liquid solvent to yield elemental sulfur and water
Implementation Method 2
bubbling the hydrogen sulfide-containing gas through the liquid solvent in the bubble tower
Implementation Method 3
bubbling the hydrogen sulfide-containing gas through the liquid solvent
Data Source
AI summary
A process for removing sulfur dioxide from a hydrogen sulfide-containing gas utilizes a bubble tower and overcomes process control difficulties associated with known processes. Solvent is fed to the bubble tower, loaded with sulfur dioxide and maintained at desired temperature and pressure. Hydrogen sulfide-containing gas is bubbled through the solvent, causing chemical reaction between the sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide to yield water and elemental sulfur. Elemental sulfur is collected and ultimately discharged from the bottom of the bubble tower, and hydrogen sulfide-depleted gas is discharged from the top.