Hydrogen Sulfide Purification Using Venturi Wet Scrubbing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The Claus catalyst used in sulfur recovery is poisoned by lithium raw material particles in the hydrogen sulfide purification process, leading to corrosion of metal pipes and inefficiencies in sulfurization reactions during lithium sulfide production.

Innovation Solution

A hydrogen sulfide purification method involving the use of a cleaning liquid, such as hydrogen sulfide-containing water with calcium chloride, to remove lithium raw material from mixed gases containing unreacted hydrogen sulfide, utilizing a wet spray tower with a Venturi portion to reduce droplet size and increase contact frequency for efficient removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If fine powder lithium raw material is used to improve reaction efficiency, then sulfurization reaction efficiency is improved, but lithium raw material particles diffuse into unreacted H2S and poison the Claus catalyst

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesulfurization reaction efficiencyVSAvoidClaus catalyst activity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes lithium raw material particles from the unreacted H2S gas stream using a dust remover or separator before the gas enters the Claus process. This separation step prevents the lithium particles from reaching and poisoning the Claus catalyst while allowing the fine powder lithium raw material to be used for improved reaction efficiency in the sulfurization process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary device (dust remover or separator) between the sulfurization reaction zone and the Claus process. This intermediary component captures and removes lithium particles from the gas stream, acting as a protective barrier that prevents catalyst poisoning while allowing the beneficial fine powder lithium raw material to be used in the reaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If fine powder lithium raw material is used to improve reaction efficiency, then sulfurization reaction efficiency is improved, but metal pipes are corroded due to coexistence with moisture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesulfurization reaction efficiencyVSAvoidmetal pipe corrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes lithium raw material particles from the unreacted H2S gas stream using a dust remover or separator before the gas enters subsequent processing stages. This removal prevents lithium particles from contacting moisture in metal pipes, thereby eliminating the corrosion problem while maintaining the use of fine powder lithium raw material for improved reaction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If lithium raw material is removed from mixed gas to prevent catalyst poisoning, then Claus catalyst is protected, but additional purification equipment and process steps are required

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveClaus catalyst activityVSAvoidpurification equipment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention employs a relatively simple and cost-effective dust remover or separator device to remove lithium particles from the gas stream. This straightforward purification approach protects the expensive Claus catalyst from poisoning while adding minimal complexity to the overall process, using an inexpensive removal mechanism rather than complex purification systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Productivity

If lithium raw material is removed from mixed gas to prevent catalyst poisoning, then sulfur recovery efficiency is improved, but loss of lithium raw material occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesulfur recovery efficiencyVSAvoidlithium raw material

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes lithium raw material particles from the unreacted H2S stream to protect the Claus catalyst and improve sulfur recovery efficiency. The removed lithium particles are then recovered and can be reused in the sulfurization process, minimizing material loss while maintaining catalyst protection and sulfur recovery performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

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

Prevents catalyst poisoning and metal pipe corrosion, ensuring effective sulfur recovery and maintaining sulfurization reaction efficiency by purifying hydrogen sulfide and recovering lithium raw material for reuse.

Implementation Method 1

a cleaning liquid is brought into contact with the mixed gas to remove the lithium raw material from the mixed gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

a flow rate of the mixed gas is increased to reduce the droplet size of the cleaning liquid by a shearing force between the mixed gas and the cleaning liquid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectShear stress: Shear Stress

Data Source

PatentUS20240270575A1Hydrogen sulfide purification method, lithium sulfide production method, hydrogen sulfide purification device, and lithium sulfide production device

Publication Date: 2024.08.15 AGC INC

AI summary

The present invention relates to a hydrogen sulfide purification method including removing a lithium raw material from a mixed gas which is generated in a process of producing lithium sulfide by a reaction of hydrogen sulfide and the lithium raw material and which includes unreacted hydrogen sulfide and the lithium raw material.