Halogen Catalyst Sulphur Removal Process
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for managing sulphur species in liquids, such as crude petroleum oil, are inadequate as they often require large industrial installations, form harmful by-products, and fail to completely remove volatile sulphur compounds, leading to hazardous handling and storage conditions due to the presence of toxic and odorous species like hydrogen sulphide and mercaptans.
Innovation Solution
A process involving a halogen-based catalyst, such as iodine, complexed with a second species and an oxidant, is introduced into the liquid to oxidize sulphur-containing species, converting them into less hazardous disulphides, which are then removed, using a surfactant to control the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance and enhance reaction efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If catalytic hydro-desulfurization or catalytic oxidative desulfurization is used to remove sulphur species, then sulphur removal efficiency is improved, but large industrial installations are required increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sulphur removal function from large industrial catalytic installations and implements it through a portable chemical composition containing halogen-based catalyst and oxidant that can be directly added to the liquid, eliminating the need for complex industrial equipment while maintaining effective sulphur removal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters from requiring large-scale industrial equipment to using a chemical composition that can be dosed directly into the liquid stream, transforming the process from mechanical/thermal treatment to chemical treatment that is simpler and more flexible
2Reliability
If amine-based scavengers are used to manage sulphuric species, then sulphur species management is improved, but nitrogen-containing by-products are formed that cause problems in downfield applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing amine-based scavengers with a halogen-based catalyst system (iodine/iodide with oxidant), which eliminates nitrogen-containing by-products while maintaining effective sulphur species management through halogen-sulphur reaction chemistry
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of using chemical additives into a benefit by selecting a halogen-based system that, while reactive, produces harmless by-products (water, salt, and disulphides) compared to the harmful nitrogen-containing compounds from amine scavengers
3Reliability
If conventional methods are used to remove hydrogen sulphide, then hydrogen sulphide removal is improved, but other noxious sulphur-containing species remain that mask the presence of un-removed hydrogen sulphide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal sulphur removal system that simultaneously targets multiple sulphur-containing species (hydrogen sulphide, mercaptans, and other volatile sulphur compounds) through the non-specific oxidation capability of the halogen-based catalyst and oxidant system, eliminating the masking effect by removing all odorous sulphur compounds
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 effectively reduces the concentration of toxic sulphur species in liquids, making them safer for handling and storage by converting sulphur-containing compounds into higher boiling point disulphides, thereby improving handling and storage conditions and eliminating foul odors.
Implementation Method 1
reacting the sulphur-containing species, the halogen-based catalyst and the oxidant
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure relates to a method of managing a sulphur-containing species from a sour liquid, the method comprising: providing a sour liquid comprising sulphur-containing species; introducing a halogen-based catalyst to the sour liquid, the halogen-based catalyst being complexed with a second species; introducing an oxidant to the sour liquid; and reacting the sulphur-containing species, the halogen-based catalyst and the oxidant. The second species may be an ethoxylate or propoxylate species. The disclosure also relates to a composition comprising a sour liquid, a hydrogen-based catalyst complexed with a second species, and an oxidant, a use of a halogen-based catalyst that is complexed with a second species for the treatment of a sulphur-containing species in a sour liquid, and a composition containing a halogen-based catalyst that is complexed with a second species in a suitable carrier for use in the treatment of a sulphur-containing species in a sour liquid.