Polysulfide Scrubber for Hydrogen Sulfide Decomposition and Sulfur Recovery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current processes for removing hydrogen sulfide and recovering sulfur are inefficient, often resulting in gases containing significant sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide, and are economically costly due to high energy consumption and the use of expensive membranes or oxidizers.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the oxidation of sulfide ions with an oxidizing gas to form polysulfide and hydroxide ions, followed by absorption of hydrogen sulfide gas to precipitate elemental sulfur, using an electrochemical cell and scrubber system with a catalytic bed, allowing for efficient sulfur recovery and clean gas production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the Claus process is used for sulfur recovery, then sulfur production is achieved, but the gas stream contains significant sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the oxidation state parameter by using controlled oxidation to convert hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur, avoiding the formation of sulfur dioxide. The oxidation process occurs in a specific range (partial oxidation) that produces sulfur instead of sulfur dioxide, thus changing the chemical composition parameter of the gas stream.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful hydrogen sulfide gas into useful elemental sulfur through oxidation. The harmful hydrogen sulfide is transformed into a valuable product (sulfur) while the gas stream becomes cleaner, turning a harmful substance into a beneficial one.
2Quantity of substance
If thermal decomposition is used to convert hydrogen sulfide, then sulfur and hydrogen gas are produced, but separation efficiency at high temperatures is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter by conducting the oxidation process at lower temperatures compared to thermal decomposition. This temperature parameter change allows for better separation efficiency while still achieving effective sulfur recovery through oxidation rather than high-temperature decomposition.
3Quantity of substance
If chemical oxidizers such as transition metal oxides are used, then hydrogen sulfide is oxidized to sulfur, but the sulfur contains metal oxidizer reducing its economic value
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses oxygen from air as a cheap and clean oxidizer instead of expensive transition metal oxides. Oxygen is abundant, inexpensive, and leaves no metallic contaminants in the sulfur product, thus avoiding the loss of sulfur purity and economic value.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the oxidizer type parameter from transition metal oxides to oxygen (from air). This parameter change eliminates the contamination issue while maintaining effective oxidation of hydrogen sulfide to sulfur, improving both purity and economic value.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If electrolysis in aqueous solutions is used, then hydrogen sulfide is removed, but energy consumption is high and membrane costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the electrochemical system (electrolysis requiring electrical energy and membranes) with a chemical oxidation system using oxygen from air. This substitution eliminates the need for expensive membranes and high energy consumption, using a simpler chemical process instead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses oxygen from air as a cheap oxidizer instead of expensive electrochemical membranes and electrical energy. Air is abundant and inexpensive, providing an economical alternative to the high-cost electrolysis process.
5Productivity
If high temperature fuel cells with oxygen-conductive membranes are used, then hydrogen sulfide conversion is achieved, but sulfur dioxide is produced and membrane stability is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter by operating at lower temperatures than high temperature fuel cells. This temperature parameter change prevents the formation of sulfur dioxide while maintaining effective hydrogen sulfide conversion through oxidation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts harmful hydrogen sulfide into useful sulfur through controlled oxidation at lower temperatures, avoiding the harmful sulfur dioxide production that occurs in high temperature processes with oxygen-conductive membranes.
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 removes hydrogen sulfide, producing a clean gas and providing a cost-efficient method for sulfur recovery by reducing sulfur dioxide and hydrogen sulfide in the gas stream, while minimizing the use of expensive materials and energy consumption.
Implementation Method 1
oxidation of sulfide ions with an oxidizing gas to form polysulfide and hydroxide ions
Implementation Method 2
electrochemical process for decomposition of hydrogen sulfide
Implementation Method 3
absorption of hydrogen sulfide gas to precipitate elemental sulfur
Implementation Method 4
using an electrochemical cell and scrubber system with a catalytic bed
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention includes a process for the removal of hydrogen sulfide from hydrogen sulfide gas containing gaseous streams. In one embodiment, the process comprises feeding a sulfide ion containing solution to an oxidation unit. The method further comprises feeding an oxidizing gas to the oxidation unit and contacting the sulfide ion containing solution with the oxidizing gas under sufficient conditions to form a polysulfide solution comprising polysulfide and hydroxide ions. In addition, the process comprises mixing the polysulfide containing solution with a hydrogen sulfide gas under conditions sufficient for absorption of hydrogen sulfide and precipitation of sulfur from the polysulfide containing solution. In some embodiments, the process comprises separating the precipitated sulfur from liquid.