Foam Layer H2S Removal Process
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for removing hydrogen sulphide from biogas and similar gases, such as biofilters and biotrickling filters, face issues with acidification and the accumulation of elemental sulphur, leading to equipment corrosion and downtime due to frequent cleaning needs.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a foam layer formed from a foam forming liquid, which includes a scrubber liquid with or without microorganisms, where hydrogen sulphide is converted to elemental sulphur using oxygen, avoiding acidification and sulphur accumulation by using a chemical oxidation reaction within a tank with a controlled foam layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If biofilters or biotrickling filters are used to remove hydrogen sulphide, then removal efficiency is achieved, but acidification and elemental sulphur accumulation occur leading to equipment corrosion and frequent cleaning needs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the scrubbing liquid by maintaining a pH above 7 and controlling the oxidation process to convert hydrogen sulphide to elemental sulphur rather than sulphuric acid. This parameter control prevents acidification while maintaining effective H2S removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses oxygen or air as an oxidant to convert hydrogen sulphide to elemental sulphur through accelerated oxidation. This approach produces elemental sulphur precipitate rather than sulphuric acid, avoiding acidification while achieving effective removal.
2Reliability
If traditional scrubbing methods are used, then hydrogen sulphide is removed, but elemental sulphur accumulates causing equipment corrosion and downtime
Solution Approach 1:
By using oxygen to accelerate the oxidation of hydrogen sulphide to elemental sulphur, the invention achieves complete conversion and precipitation of sulphur in the scrubbing liquid. This prevents sulphur accumulation on equipment surfaces, eliminating the need for frequent cleaning and reducing downtime.
Solution Approach 2:
The scrubbing liquid system is designed to automatically precipitate elemental sulphur and can be easily regenerated or replaced. The system maintains itself by continuous oxidation and precipitation, reducing manual intervention and cleaning requirements.
3Adaptability or versatility
If foam layer is used for treatment, then handling of intermittent biogas flows is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses foam as a pneumatic-hydraulic medium to treat intermittent biogas flows. The foam layer provides continuous liquid-gas contact even during intermittent operation, improving adaptability while using simple pneumatic-hydraulic principles rather than complex control systems.
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 hydrogen sulphide with reduced acidification and sulphur accumulation, achieving higher efficiency and lower operational costs compared to traditional methods, with the ability to handle intermittent biogas flows and maintain equipment integrity.
Implementation Method 1
hydrogen sulphide is converted to elemental sulphur using oxygen, avoiding acidification and sulphur accumulation by using a chemical oxidation reaction
Data Source
AI summary
A process and apparatus for removing hydrogen sulphide from a gas is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of: providing a gas comprising hydrogen sulphide; supplying oxygen for the process if the gas does not comprise oxygen, or does not comprise sufficient oxygen for converting hydrogen sulphide to elementary sulphur; leading the mixture of gas and, if supplied, oxygen to a tank comprising i) a foam forming liquid, such as a scrubber liquid and ii) a foam layer made from said foam forming liquid on the top of the foam forming liquid where the hydrogen sulphide in the gas is oxidized to elementary sulphur to form a cleaned gas removed from hydrogen sulphide.