USRE32009E - Degassing molten sulfur - Google Patents
Degassing molten sulfur Download PDFInfo
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- USRE32009E USRE32009E US06/368,748 US36874882A USRE32009E US RE32009 E USRE32009 E US RE32009E US 36874882 A US36874882 A US 36874882A US RE32009 E USRE32009 E US RE32009E
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- sulfur
- molten sulfur
- degassing agent
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- hydrogen
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- NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfur Chemical compound [S] NINIDFKCEFEMDL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 title claims abstract description 151
- 229910052717 sulfur Inorganic materials 0.000 title claims abstract description 147
- 239000011593 sulfur Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 147
- 238000007872 degassing Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 56
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 49
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 36
- RAHZWNYVWXNFOC-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulphur dioxide Chemical compound O=S=O RAHZWNYVWXNFOC-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 32
- 239000001257 hydrogen Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 229910052739 hydrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 239000005077 polysulfide Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 229920001021 polysulfide Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 150000008117 polysulfides Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- RWSOTUBLDIXVET-UHFFFAOYSA-N Dihydrogen sulfide Chemical compound S RWSOTUBLDIXVET-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 27
- UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrogen Chemical compound [H][H] UFHFLCQGNIYNRP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 26
- XSQUKJJJFZCRTK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Urea Chemical compound NC(N)=O XSQUKJJJFZCRTK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 26
- 229910000037 hydrogen sulfide Inorganic materials 0.000 claims abstract description 26
- 239000004202 carbamide Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 11
- 150000003672 ureas Chemical class 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- BHEPBYXIRTUNPN-UHFFFAOYSA-N hydridophosphorus(.) (triplet) Chemical class [PH] BHEPBYXIRTUNPN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 150000001875 compounds Chemical class 0.000 claims description 29
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 claims description 16
- 235000013877 carbamide Nutrition 0.000 claims description 15
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 claims description 12
- UMGDCJDMYOKAJW-UHFFFAOYSA-N thiourea Chemical compound NC(N)=S UMGDCJDMYOKAJW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 150000003003 phosphines Chemical class 0.000 claims description 5
- 229910019142 PO4 Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- TVZISJTYELEYPI-UHFFFAOYSA-N hypodiphosphoric acid Chemical class OP(O)(=O)P(O)(O)=O TVZISJTYELEYPI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 claims description 4
- 235000021317 phosphate Nutrition 0.000 claims description 4
- AQSJGOWTSHOLKH-UHFFFAOYSA-N phosphite(3-) Chemical class [O-]P([O-])[O-] AQSJGOWTSHOLKH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 150000003013 phosphoric acid derivatives Chemical class 0.000 claims description 4
- -1 cyclic ureas Chemical class 0.000 claims description 3
- MNNHAPBLZZVQHP-UHFFFAOYSA-N diammonium hydrogen phosphate Chemical compound [NH4+].[NH4+].OP([O-])([O-])=O MNNHAPBLZZVQHP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- MPQXHAGKBWFSNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N oxidophosphanium Chemical class [PH3]=O MPQXHAGKBWFSNV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- WSANLGASBHUYGD-UHFFFAOYSA-N sulfidophosphanium Chemical class S=[PH3] WSANLGASBHUYGD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- ZRIUUUJAJJNDSS-UHFFFAOYSA-N ammonium phosphates Chemical compound [NH4+].[NH4+].[NH4+].[O-]P([O-])([O-])=O ZRIUUUJAJJNDSS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910000388 diammonium phosphate Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000019838 diammonium phosphate Nutrition 0.000 claims description 2
- OAICVXFJPJFONN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Phosphorus Chemical compound [P] OAICVXFJPJFONN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 3
- 229910052698 phosphorus Inorganic materials 0.000 claims 3
- 239000011574 phosphorus Substances 0.000 claims 3
- ZMGMDXCADSRNCX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 5,6-dihydroxy-1,3-diazepan-2-one Chemical compound OC1CNC(=O)NCC1O ZMGMDXCADSRNCX-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- XYXNTHIYBIDHGM-UHFFFAOYSA-N ammonium thiosulfate Chemical compound [NH4+].[NH4+].[O-]S([O-])(=O)=S XYXNTHIYBIDHGM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 18
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 14
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 description 12
- 230000000996 additive effect Effects 0.000 description 11
- QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ammonia Chemical compound N QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 10
- IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N Atomic nitrogen Chemical compound N#N IJGRMHOSHXDMSA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 8
- 239000007864 aqueous solution Substances 0.000 description 7
- 239000000243 solution Substances 0.000 description 7
- 229910000975 Carbon steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 description 5
- 229910021529 ammonia Inorganic materials 0.000 description 5
- 239000010962 carbon steel Substances 0.000 description 5
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 5
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 4
- 229940056932 lead sulfide Drugs 0.000 description 4
- 229910052981 lead sulfide Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 229910052757 nitrogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 229910017464 nitrogen compound Inorganic materials 0.000 description 4
- 150000002830 nitrogen compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 150000003839 salts Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 238000003756 stirring Methods 0.000 description 4
- QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-O Ammonium Chemical compound [NH4+] QGZKDVFQNNGYKY-UHFFFAOYSA-O 0.000 description 3
- 150000003863 ammonium salts Chemical class 0.000 description 3
- 125000003118 aryl group Chemical group 0.000 description 3
- 230000007797 corrosion Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000005260 corrosion Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000000354 decomposition reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000003247 decreasing effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000000155 melt Substances 0.000 description 3
- ZCYVEMRRCGMTRW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 7553-56-2 Chemical compound [I] ZCYVEMRRCGMTRW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- NLXLAEXVIDQMFP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ammonia chloride Chemical compound [NH4+].[Cl-] NLXLAEXVIDQMFP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- OAKJQQAXSVQMHS-UHFFFAOYSA-N Hydrazine Chemical compound NN OAKJQQAXSVQMHS-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- XYFCBTPGUUZFHI-UHFFFAOYSA-N Phosphine Chemical compound P XYFCBTPGUUZFHI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- ZOIORXHNWRGPMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N acetic acid;zinc Chemical compound [Zn].CC(O)=O.CC(O)=O ZOIORXHNWRGPMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000013019 agitation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 125000005210 alkyl ammonium group Chemical group 0.000 description 2
- 125000000217 alkyl group Chemical group 0.000 description 2
- 150000001412 amines Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 description 2
- 125000004435 hydrogen atom Chemical group [H]* 0.000 description 2
- 229910052740 iodine Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000011630 iodine Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000002156 mixing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 235000019645 odor Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 2
- JVBXVOWTABLYPX-UHFFFAOYSA-L sodium dithionite Chemical group [Na+].[Na+].[O-]S(=O)S([O-])=O JVBXVOWTABLYPX-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 2
- DHCDFWKWKRSZHF-UHFFFAOYSA-L thiosulfate(2-) Chemical compound [O-]S([S-])(=O)=O DHCDFWKWKRSZHF-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 2
- 231100000331 toxic Toxicity 0.000 description 2
- 230000002588 toxic effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- RIOQSEWOXXDEQQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N triphenylphosphine Chemical compound C1=CC=CC=C1P(C=1C=CC=CC=1)C1=CC=CC=C1 RIOQSEWOXXDEQQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000004246 zinc acetate Substances 0.000 description 2
- AOSFMYBATFLTAQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-amino-3-(benzimidazol-1-yl)propan-2-ol Chemical compound C1=CC=C2N(CC(O)CN)C=NC2=C1 AOSFMYBATFLTAQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004254 Ammonium phosphate Substances 0.000 description 1
- LSNNMFCWUKXFEE-UHFFFAOYSA-N Sulfurous acid Chemical class OS(O)=O LSNNMFCWUKXFEE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- XAQHXGSHRMHVMU-UHFFFAOYSA-N [S].[S] Chemical compound [S].[S] XAQHXGSHRMHVMU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000007513 acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000006978 adaptation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000001339 alkali metal compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 125000003277 amino group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- BIGPRXCJEDHCLP-UHFFFAOYSA-N ammonium bisulfate Chemical compound [NH4+].OS([O-])(=O)=O BIGPRXCJEDHCLP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 235000019270 ammonium chloride Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 150000003868 ammonium compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910000148 ammonium phosphate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 235000019289 ammonium phosphates Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229940058344 antitrematodals organophosphorous compound Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 150000004945 aromatic hydrocarbons Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- QLULGSLAHXLKSR-UHFFFAOYSA-N azane;phosphane Chemical compound N.P QLULGSLAHXLKSR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000033228 biological regulation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 150000001721 carbon Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 229910052799 carbon Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 150000004653 carbonic acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000002485 combustion reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000356 contaminant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002360 explosive Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000004674 formic acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000011065 in-situ storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000002484 inorganic compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 230000003993 interaction Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009533 lab test Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011068 loading method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000004400 mucous membrane Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 150000002825 nitriles Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 150000002894 organic compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 150000002903 organophosphorus compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 150000002913 oxalic acids Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- AUONHKJOIZSQGR-UHFFFAOYSA-N oxophosphane Chemical compound P=O AUONHKJOIZSQGR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- XYFCBTPGUUZFHI-UHFFFAOYSA-O phosphonium Chemical compound [PH4+] XYFCBTPGUUZFHI-UHFFFAOYSA-O 0.000 description 1
- 229910000073 phosphorus hydride Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000001737 promoting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000630 rising effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000926 separation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011734 sodium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005507 spraying Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002602 strong irritant Substances 0.000 description 1
- LSNNMFCWUKXFEE-UHFFFAOYSA-L sulfite Chemical class [O-]S([O-])=O LSNNMFCWUKXFEE-UHFFFAOYSA-L 0.000 description 1
- 150000003464 sulfur compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000005987 sulfurization reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 150000004764 thiosulfuric acid derivatives Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 238000004448 titration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 231100000419 toxicity Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000001988 toxicity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005303 weighing Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C01—INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- C01B—NON-METALLIC ELEMENTS; COMPOUNDS THEREOF; METALLOIDS OR COMPOUNDS THEREOF NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASS C01C
- C01B17/00—Sulfur; Compounds thereof
- C01B17/02—Preparation of sulfur; Purification
- C01B17/0232—Purification, e.g. degassing
Definitions
- This invention relates to a process for the removal of H 2 S from molten sulfur. More specifically this invention relates to the removal of residual H 2 S from molten sulfur by the addition to the molten sulfur of one or more compounds described hereinafter which promote the removal of H 2 S and hasten the decomposition of hydrogen polysulfides to H 2 S. Hastening this decomposition permits convenient disposal of the released H 2 S before the sulfur is shipped by the manufacturer.
- H 2 S and hydrogen polysulfides typically 150-300 parts per million by weight (wppm) may remain in the molten sulfur.
- wppm parts per million by weight
- the hydrogen polysulfides decompose to hydrogen sulfide, which is slowly released by the sulfur. This slow release of hydrogen sulfide is undesirable for several reasons. Since the threshold odor limit of H 2 S in air is relatively low, approximately 0.1 parts per million by volume (vppm), this slow release may create nuisance odors.
- H 2 S is highly toxic, flammable and may form explosive mixtures with air. Accordingly, the presence of H 2 S in molten sulfur is being limited in many locations by increasing stringent regulations.
- a method for increasing the rate of this "weathering off” process uses a circulatory spraying system.
- this requires the purchase and use of additional circulatory equipment and may not reduce the residual hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen polysulfide to sufficiently low levels.
- SO 2 is not desirable for several reasons. Sulfur dioxide is difficult to store, since it is gaseous at ambient conditions. Thus, means must be provided for injecting the SO 2 directly into the molten sulfur and for adjusting the relative quantities of SO 2 and the other additive metered into the molten sulfur. In addition, SO 2 is toxic, a strong irritant to the eyes and mucous membranes and an air contaminant. Moreover, SO 2 is corrosive to the carbon steel surfaces of some sulfur handling facilities. These factors may complicate or restrict its use in commercial facilities.
- A Liquid and solid primary, secondary and tertiary alkyl, aryl, and cyclic amines having a K B value greater than 10 -10 in which the amino nitrogen is attached to a primary, secondary or aromatic hydrocarbon;
- Quaternary nitrogen compounds that on heating to temperatures between 20° and 160° C. decompose to yield an organic amine having a K B value greater than 10 -10 in which the carbon atom directly attached to the amino nitrogen is primary, secondary or aromatic.
- the subject invention is a method for reducing the concentration of hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen polysulfides in molten sulfur comprising the addition to the sulfur of an effective amount of a degassing agent selected from the class of compounds consisting of inorganic phosphorous compounds, urea and urea derivatives without the further addition to the molten sulfur of sulfur dioxide.
- a degassing agent selected from the class of compounds consisting of inorganic phosphorous compounds, urea and urea derivatives without the further addition to the molten sulfur of sulfur dioxide.
- a degassing agent selected from the class of compounds consisting of inorganic phosphorous compounds, urea and urea derivatives without the further addition to the molten sulfur of sulfur dioxide.
- a degassing agent selected from the class of compounds consisting of inorganic phosphorous compounds, urea and urea derivatives without the further addition to the molten sulfur of sulfur dioxide.
- the preferred inorganic phosphorous compounds are the phosphates
- an aqueous solution of the degassing agent or a melt of the degassing agent is metered by gravity flow into the molten sulfur.
- an aqueous solution or a melt of the degassing agent is pumped into the molten sulfur.
- FIG. 1 is a plot of the percentage of the hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen polysulfides removed from samples during a 2.5 hour period as a function of the degassing agent concentration for three degassing agents.
- FIG. 2 is a simplified drawing of a molten sulfur facility with means for adding a degassing agent to the sulfur.
- FIG. 3 is a plot of the residual H 2 S concentration in sulfur as a function of time after starting the addition of a specific degassing agent.
- Molten sulfur from conventional sulfur recovery sources typically may contain as much as 700 parts per million by weight (wppm) of H 2 S and hydrogen polysulfides.
- the degassing agents used to convert hydrogen polysulfides to hydrogen sulfide preferably should be effective at relatively low concentrations and be relatively easily volatilized from the sulfur so that they do not adversely affect the residual ash content of the product sulfur.
- the compounds described hereinafter have been found to be effective degassing agents at relatively low concentrations, thereby minimizing their effect on the product sulfur ash content. Many of the compounds described hereinafter are readily volatilizable. This further minimizes their effect on product sulfur ash content. It has been found that certain classes of compounds are effective degassing agents as indicated below:
- Sulfur compounds comprising dithionates, dithionites, thiosulfates, bisulfides and bisulfites.
- preferred compounds are easily volatilizable salts, such as ammonium, phosphonium and alkyl ammonium salts.
- Specific preferred compounds are ammonium thiosulfate and ammonium bisulfite.
- a non-ammonium salt which is effective is sodium dithionite.
- Inorganic and organo phosphorous compounds including phosphates, hypophosphates, phosphines, phosphites, phosphine oxides and phosphine sulfides.
- Preferred compounds are the easily volatilized salts, such as ammonium phosphonium and alkyl ammonium salts.
- Specific preferred compounds are triammonium orthophosphates, diammonium hydrogen phosphate and triphenyl phosphine.
- Urea and urea derivatives including but not limited to urea, thiourea, mono-, di-, tri-, and tetra-ureas and cyclic ureas.
- Preferred compounds are those easily volatilized, such as urea and thiourea.
- Samples of candidate degassing agents were screened for effectiveness according to the following procedure.
- Samples of molten sulfur were taken from the combustor rundown line of a commercial sulfur plant so that sulfur having the highest H 2 S levels would be obtained for testing purposes.
- the samples approximately 150 ml each, were poured from a sample dipper directly into spoutless 300 ml Berzelius beakers which also were used to contain the sulfur during analysis.
- the samples were kept hot during transport to the laboratory.
- a three-hole rubber stopper equipped with a thermometer and two unequal lengths of glass tubing was placed in the beaker opening. One piece of glass tubing extended below the surface of the sulfur while the other terminated above the surface.
- Each compound screened was added to a stirred sulfur sample maintained at 130° C.
- Dry nitrogen was sparged through each sammple for 2.5 hours with the released H 2 S and exiting nitrogen being directed through two gas absorption bottles containing a 3% zinc acetate solution. After the sulfur was purged for 2.5 hours, the two gas absorption bottles were removed and replaced by two gas absorption bottles containing fresh 3% zinc acetate solution positioned as previously described.
- lead sulfide is known in the art to be highly effective in promoting the decomposition of hydrogen polysulfides to H 2 S, this compound is not used commercially to degas molten sulfur because of toxicity concerns from the presence of trace amounts of lead in the sulfur and because lead sulfide would increase the ash content of the sulfur.
- This known effectiveness of lead sulfide was used as a standard to determine the degassing characteristics of the compounds screened. One gram of lead sulfide was then added to the sulfur samples containing the degassing agents to decompose any hydrogen polysulfides which had not been removed by the degassing agent added during the first 2.5 hour period.
- the relative degassing ability of the compounds may be seen more clearly by their effectiveness at low concentrations in the sulfur.
- the relative effectiveness of three selected compounds in degassing sulfur at varying concentrations in the sulfur may be seen from FIG. 1, in which the degassing agent concentration is plotted against the percent of the total H 2 S released in the first 2.5 hours.
- ammonium ion is not the portion of the ammonium salt that was active in degassing the molten sulfur.
- ammonium chloride and ammonium bisulfate were totally ineffective as degassing agents.
- ammonium salts of weaker acids such as oxalic, formic and carbonic acids were much less effective than the best degassing agents tested, ammonium thiosulfate, ammonium phosphate, and sodium dithionite.
- ammonium thiosulfate caused no corrosion of metal or damage to concrete in these tests.
- the rate of corrosion of carbon steel actually decreased after the addition of ammonium thiosulfate.
- the increase in the ash content of the sample drawn from the top of the high ash sulfur may be attributable in part to ash containing compounds rising from the bottom to the top of the sample.
- FIG. 2 a preferred embodiment for adding the degassing agent to a conventional molten sulfur facility is shown.
- the facility comprises an inlet, inspection box, outlet and sulfur pit.
- many lines, valves and all instrumentation has been omitted for simplicity.
- Molten sulfur leaving the sulfur recovery system passes through inlet 10 at a temperature in excess of 114° C., typically about 130° to about 165° C.
- the sulfur then passes through seal 20 and line 30 into inspection box 40.
- the molten sulfur typically containing about 50 to about 650 wppm of hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen polysulfides, leaves inspection box 40 through line 50 for storage and cooling in a sulfur storage facility such as sulfur pit 60.
- a solution, preferably an aqueous solution, of at least one of the degassing agents is metered into inspection box 40 from storage tank 70 through line 80.
- the degassing agent may be added as a melt.
- storage tank 70 may be placed above inspection box 40, and the degassing agent gravity fed. The flow rate is controlled by metering valve 90.
- the degassing agent solution or melt also may be metered into the molten sulfur installation using a conventional pump.
- a filter 100 also may be added to minimize contamination of the molten sulfur and to prevent plugging of metering valve 90.
- Stages 1, 2 and 3 were equipped with sulfur recirculation pumps having 160, 130 and 150 GPM capacities, respectively, to recirculate the sulfur within the same stage. These results are presented in Table VII and indicate that on a commercial scale ammonium thiosulfate effectively catalyzes the degassing of sulfur.
- FIG. 3 is a plot of the residual H 2 S concentration in molten sulfur contained in a non-stirred sulfur pit where the sulfur, to which about 100 wppm of urea was added, had an average residence time ranging from about 3.5 to about 6 days.
- the residual concentration of H 2 S decreased significantly, illustrating that continuous use of urea also decreases the residual H 2 S concentration of the sulfur even in the absence of sulfur agitation.
- the concentration of degassing agent utilized is not critical and will be dependent on the specific agent used. Generally, the rate of addition of the degassing agent to the molten sulfur will range between 1 (one) part per billion and 5000 parts per million by weight, and preferably from about 50 to about 200 parts per million by weight.
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- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Inorganic Chemistry (AREA)
- Manufacture And Refinement Of Metals (AREA)
Abstract
A method for reducing the hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen polysulfides and/or ash content of molten sulfur is disclosed. The subject invention is directed at the addition of an effective amount of a degassing agent selected from the class consisting of inorganic phosphorous compounds, urea and urea derivatives without the necessity for also adding sulfur dioxide to the molten sulfur.
Description
This invention relates to a process for the removal of H2 S from molten sulfur. More specifically this invention relates to the removal of residual H2 S from molten sulfur by the addition to the molten sulfur of one or more compounds described hereinafter which promote the removal of H2 S and hasten the decomposition of hydrogen polysulfides to H2 S. Hastening this decomposition permits convenient disposal of the released H2 S before the sulfur is shipped by the manufacturer.
During the manufacture of elemental sulfur, particularly by the reaction of:
2H.sub.2 S+SO.sub.2 →3S+H.sub.2 O (1)
small quantities of H2 S and hydrogen polysulfides, typically 150-300 parts per million by weight (wppm), may remain in the molten sulfur. During storage the hydrogen polysulfides decompose to hydrogen sulfide, which is slowly released by the sulfur. This slow release of hydrogen sulfide is undesirable for several reasons. Since the threshold odor limit of H2 S in air is relatively low, approximately 0.1 parts per million by volume (vppm), this slow release may create nuisance odors. Moreover, H2 S is highly toxic, flammable and may form explosive mixtures with air. Accordingly, the presence of H2 S in molten sulfur is being limited in many locations by increasing stringent regulations.
Several methods have been used to decrease the residual hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen polysulfides concentration in sulfur. One method has been merely to allow a "weathering off" process to take place before the sulfur is transported. But, this is a relatively slow process that requires large sulfur storage capacity.
A method for increasing the rate of this "weathering off" process uses a circulatory spraying system. However, this requires the purchase and use of additional circulatory equipment and may not reduce the residual hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen polysulfide to sufficiently low levels.
Other methods have involved the addition of chemical compounds and sulfur dioxide to the molten sulfur to convert the hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen polysulfides to elemental sulfur. British Pat. No. 1,393,967 describes a method for reducing the amount of hydrogen polysulfides and hydrogen sulfide by in situ reaction to form elemental sulfur. Sulfur dioxide and an additive, which is an inorganic alkali metal compound, ammonia, an ammonium compound or a basic organic compound with at least one amino group, is injected into the liquid sulfur while the sulfur is flowing through a conduit. Table I of this patent indicates that large amounts of H2 S remain in the molten sulfur when SO2 is not added together with the additives noted. U.S. Pat. No. 3,447,903 discloses the addition of certain classes of compounds together with SO2 to molten sulfur for a variety of purposes, including the removal of small quantities of hydrogen sulfide. Among the classes of compounds disclosed are:
(A) Ammonia and its organic derivatives having a KB greater than 10-10 ;
(B) Primary, secondary and tertiary alkyl, aryl and cyclic amines having a KB greater than 10-10 ;
(C) Quaternary basic nitrogen compounds that decompose between 20° and 160° C. to yield ammonia or its inorganic derivative having a KB value greater than 10-10 ; and
(D) Quaternary basic nitrogen compounds that on heating to temperatures between 20° and 160° C., decompose to yield an organic amine having a KB value greater than 10-10. However, this process requires the further addition of sulfur dioxide to react with the H2 S in place and form sulfur rather than liberating the H2 S.
Use of SO2 to remove H2 S from molten sulfur is not desirable for several reasons. Sulfur dioxide is difficult to store, since it is gaseous at ambient conditions. Thus, means must be provided for injecting the SO2 directly into the molten sulfur and for adjusting the relative quantities of SO2 and the other additive metered into the molten sulfur. In addition, SO2 is toxic, a strong irritant to the eyes and mucous membranes and an air contaminant. Moreover, SO2 is corrosive to the carbon steel surfaces of some sulfur handling facilities. These factors may complicate or restrict its use in commercial facilities.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,278,269 describes several classes of compounds which may be added to molten sulfur to improve the friability of solidified sulfur. The compounds disclosed include the following:
A. Liquid and solid primary, secondary and tertiary alkyl, aryl, and cyclic amines having a KB value greater than 10-10 in which the amino nitrogen is attached to a primary, secondary or aromatic hydrocarbon;
B. Quaternary nitrogen compounds that decompose between 20°-160° C. to yield ammonia; and
C. Quaternary nitrogen compounds that on heating to temperatures between 20° and 160° C. decompose to yield an organic amine having a KB value greater than 10-10 in which the carbon atom directly attached to the amino nitrogen is primary, secondary or aromatic.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,364,655 discloses that H2 S can be removed from liquid sulfur by atomizing the sulfur, and that this process can be further improved by the addition of ammonia.
In Z. Anal. Chem. 166 (1959) pages 274-283 Schmidt and Talsky describe a method to convert hydrogen polysulfides to hydrogen sulfide by the addition to the sulfur of sulfites or cyanides.
It is desirable to provide a process in which the residual hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen polysulfides are reduced to relatively low levels without the use of excessively large, or corrosion resistant storage facilities.
It is also desirable to provide a process in which the hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen polysulfides can be reduced to relatively low levels in the molten sulfur by the addition of degassing agents that do not require complex addition or metering facilities.
It is also advantageous to provide a process in which the hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen polysulfides are reduced to lower levels by the addition of chemical compounds that do not significantly increase the ash content of the product sulfur and may, in certain instances, reduce the product sulfur ash content.
The subject invention is a method for reducing the concentration of hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen polysulfides in molten sulfur comprising the addition to the sulfur of an effective amount of a degassing agent selected from the class of compounds consisting of inorganic phosphorous compounds, urea and urea derivatives without the further addition to the molten sulfur of sulfur dioxide. Among the preferred inorganic phosphorous compounds are the phosphates, phosphines, phosphites, phosphine oxide and hypophosphates. Among the preferred urea derivatives are mono-, di, tri- and tetra ureas, thiourea, and cyclic ureas. In one preferred method an aqueous solution of the degassing agent or a melt of the degassing agent is metered by gravity flow into the molten sulfur. In another method, an aqueous solution or a melt of the degassing agent is pumped into the molten sulfur.
FIG. 1 is a plot of the percentage of the hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen polysulfides removed from samples during a 2.5 hour period as a function of the degassing agent concentration for three degassing agents.
FIG. 2 is a simplified drawing of a molten sulfur facility with means for adding a degassing agent to the sulfur.
FIG. 3 is a plot of the residual H2 S concentration in sulfur as a function of time after starting the addition of a specific degassing agent.
Molten sulfur from conventional sulfur recovery sources typically may contain as much as 700 parts per million by weight (wppm) of H2 S and hydrogen polysulfides. The degassing agents used to convert hydrogen polysulfides to hydrogen sulfide preferably should be effective at relatively low concentrations and be relatively easily volatilized from the sulfur so that they do not adversely affect the residual ash content of the product sulfur. The compounds described hereinafter have been found to be effective degassing agents at relatively low concentrations, thereby minimizing their effect on the product sulfur ash content. Many of the compounds described hereinafter are readily volatilizable. This further minimizes their effect on product sulfur ash content. It has been found that certain classes of compounds are effective degassing agents as indicated below:
A. Sulfur compounds comprising dithionates, dithionites, thiosulfates, bisulfides and bisulfites. Among the preferred compounds are easily volatilizable salts, such as ammonium, phosphonium and alkyl ammonium salts. Specific preferred compounds are ammonium thiosulfate and ammonium bisulfite. A non-ammonium salt which is effective is sodium dithionite.
B. Inorganic and organo phosphorous compounds including phosphates, hypophosphates, phosphines, phosphites, phosphine oxides and phosphine sulfides.
Preferred compounds are the easily volatilized salts, such as ammonium phosphonium and alkyl ammonium salts. Specific preferred compounds are triammonium orthophosphates, diammonium hydrogen phosphate and triphenyl phosphine.
C. Urea and urea derivatives, including but not limited to urea, thiourea, mono-, di-, tri-, and tetra-ureas and cyclic ureas.
Preferred compounds are those easily volatilized, such as urea and thiourea.
Samples of candidate degassing agents were screened for effectiveness according to the following procedure. Samples of molten sulfur were taken from the combustor rundown line of a commercial sulfur plant so that sulfur having the highest H2 S levels would be obtained for testing purposes. The samples, approximately 150 ml each, were poured from a sample dipper directly into spoutless 300 ml Berzelius beakers which also were used to contain the sulfur during analysis. The samples were kept hot during transport to the laboratory. A three-hole rubber stopper equipped with a thermometer and two unequal lengths of glass tubing was placed in the beaker opening. One piece of glass tubing extended below the surface of the sulfur while the other terminated above the surface. Each compound screened was added to a stirred sulfur sample maintained at 130° C. Dry nitrogen was sparged through each sammple for 2.5 hours with the released H2 S and exiting nitrogen being directed through two gas absorption bottles containing a 3% zinc acetate solution. After the sulfur was purged for 2.5 hours, the two gas absorption bottles were removed and replaced by two gas absorption bottles containing fresh 3% zinc acetate solution positioned as previously described.
Although lead sulfide is known in the art to be highly effective in promoting the decomposition of hydrogen polysulfides to H2 S, this compound is not used commercially to degas molten sulfur because of toxicity concerns from the presence of trace amounts of lead in the sulfur and because lead sulfide would increase the ash content of the sulfur. This known effectiveness of lead sulfide was used as a standard to determine the degassing characteristics of the compounds screened. One gram of lead sulfide was then added to the sulfur samples containing the degassing agents to decompose any hydrogen polysulfides which had not been removed by the degassing agent added during the first 2.5 hour period. Dry nitrogen was again sparged through the molten sulfur for a 2.5 hour period, the exiting nitrogen and H2 S passing into the absorption train. The gas absorption bottles from the first and second 2.5 hour periods were poured into separate beakers for titration by a standard iodometric method. A known quantity of standardized iodine solution was added to each beaker and the unreacted iodine subsequently back-titrated with a standardized thiosulfate solution. This method is described in more detail in the Analytical Chemistry Of Sulfur And Its Compounds, Edited by J. H. Karchmer, Part I, John Wiley & Sons, NY Pages 63-66 (1970), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The effectiveness of each compound screened was determined by comparing the amount of H2 S removed during the first 2.5 hour period with that removed during the second 2.5 hour period. The higher the ratio of the H2 S removed during the first period relative to the second period, the more effective was the additive. Analytical results for various compounds tested are shown in Tables I, II and III at additive concentrations of 200, 100 and 50 weight parts per million (wppm) respectively, in the molten sulfur. In Table I, all samples having the same test group number were drawn on the same day and have comparable initial H2 S values.
TABLE I ______________________________________ TESTS AT 200 WPPM ADDITIVE LEVEL First 2.5 To- hr. With Second 2.5 tal Test Additive hr. With PbS (ppm Group Additive (ppm H.sub.2 S) (ppm H.sub.2 S) H.sub.2 S) ______________________________________ 1 None 246 282 528 1 H.sub.2 O(<1000 ppm) 167 355 522 2 NH.sub.4 Cl 218 272 490 2 NH.sub.4 HSO.sub.4 259 266 525 3 (NH.sub.4).sub.2 C.sub.2 O.sub.4 314 310 624 3 (NH.sub.4).sub.2 S.sub.2 O.sub.3 619 3 622 3 Na.sub.2 S.sub.2 O.sub.4 583 6 589 3 (C.sub.6 H.sub.5).sub.3 P 625 32 657* 4 NH.sub.4 SCN 331 190 521 4 (NH.sub.4).sub.3 PO.sub.4 497 4 503 5 CO(NH.sub.2).sub.2 486 18 504 6 (NH.sub.4).sub.2 S.sub.2 O.sub.3 213 159 372 7 (NH.sub.2).sub.2 CS 614 0 614 8 NH.sub.4 CO.sub.2 H 335 498 833 ______________________________________ *Some phosphine carried by the sparge gas into the solution causes an artificially large value because the analysis cannot distinguish between phosphines and H.sub.2 S.
TABLE II ______________________________________ TESTS AT 100 WPPM ADDITIVE LEVEL First 2.5 Hrs Second 2.5 Hr. Total Additive With Additive With PbS H.sub.2 S (wppm) ______________________________________ NH.sub.4 HSO.sub.3 289 153 442 (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.3 421 25 446 (NH.sub.4).sub.2 S.sub.2 O.sub.3 428 2 430 (NH.sub.4).sub.3 PO.sub.4 374 93 467 (NH.sub.4).sub.2 SO.sub.3 401 145 546 (NH.sub.4).sub.2 S.sub.2 O.sub.3 418 162 580 (NH.sub.4).sub.2 HPO.sub.4 496 74 570 (NH.sub.4).sub.3 PO.sub.4 272 310 582 ______________________________________
The relative degassing ability of the compounds may be seen more clearly by their effectiveness at low concentrations in the sulfur. The relative effectiveness of three selected compounds in degassing sulfur at varying concentrations in the sulfur may be seen from FIG. 1, in which the degassing agent concentration is plotted against the percent of the total H2 S released in the first 2.5 hours.
The data in Table I show that the ammonium ion is not the portion of the ammonium salt that was active in degassing the molten sulfur. For example, ammonium chloride and ammonium bisulfate were totally ineffective as degassing agents. Even ammonium salts of weaker acids such as oxalic, formic and carbonic acids were much less effective than the best degassing agents tested, ammonium thiosulfate, ammonium phosphate, and sodium dithionite.
The ash content of the molten sulfur sample with no degassing agent present and with one degassing agent, ammonium thiosulfate, was determined and is presented in Table IV. In both series of tests and the ash determination involved merely burning a 100 gram sample of the sulfur in a pre-weighed crucible and weighing the ash remaining in the crucible after combustion and subsequent cooling in a desiccator.
The possibility that some interaction of ammonium thiosulfate with either carbon steel or concrete from the molten sulfur facility might cause increased sulfur ash content, also was examined. Samples of sulfur were kept at 130°-140° C. for 24 hours while suspended within them were small blocks of concrete and small samples of carbon steel. Two thousand wppm of ammonium thiosulfate was added to one sample while another was left with no degassing agent. Both the treated sulfur and the untreated control were sampled from their top strata and from near the bottom of their respective containers. These tests were done with samples both low and high in ash content. The results are shown in Table IV.
TABLE IV ______________________________________ ASH TESTS IN PRESENCE OF CONCRETE AND CARBON STEEL Treated Sample (2.000 ppm Untreated Sample (NH.sub.4).sub.2 S.sub.2 O.sub.3) (No Additive) Ash Content (wppm) Ash Content (wppm) ______________________________________ Low Ash Sulfur Sample from top 8.7 2.9 Sample from 25.6 -- bottom High Ash Sulfur Sample from top 269 Sample from 10.280 11.780 bottom ______________________________________
The ammonium thiosulfate caused no corrosion of metal or damage to concrete in these tests. The rate of corrosion of carbon steel actually decreased after the addition of ammonium thiosulfate.
The increase in the ash content of the sample drawn from the top of the high ash sulfur may be attributable in part to ash containing compounds rising from the bottom to the top of the sample.
In laboratory tests it was found advantageous to have continuous stirring of the sulfur during the degassing process. In two hour tests, substantially similar to those previously described, a significantly greater amount of H2 S was degassed when the sample was stirred, than when no stirring was done, a shown in Table V.
TABLE V ______________________________________ H.sub.2 S REMOVAL WPPM FROM SAMPLES No Stirring Continuous Stirring ______________________________________ 265,296 408 ______________________________________
It was believed that continuous mixing was necessary for reducing the hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen polysulfide concentrations to relatively low levels in commercial facilities. Surprisingly, however, in a commercial-sized installation the sulfur could be degassed to relatively low levels merely by gravity feeding the degassing agent into the molten sulfur through the inspection box or look box in the inlet line to the sulfur pit. After addition of the degassing agent was started, the residual concentration of hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen polysulfides decreased with time to relatively low levels. Such a degassing agent addition system has several advantages over complex mixing, metering and/or recirculation systems. The simplicity of this system greatly decreases equipment purchase and operating costs, while providing a more reliable, trouble-free addition system.
In FIG. 2 a preferred embodiment for adding the degassing agent to a conventional molten sulfur facility is shown. The facility comprises an inlet, inspection box, outlet and sulfur pit. In this figure, many lines, valves and all instrumentation has been omitted for simplicity. Molten sulfur leaving the sulfur recovery system passes through inlet 10 at a temperature in excess of 114° C., typically about 130° to about 165° C. The sulfur then passes through seal 20 and line 30 into inspection box 40. The molten sulfur, typically containing about 50 to about 650 wppm of hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen polysulfides, leaves inspection box 40 through line 50 for storage and cooling in a sulfur storage facility such as sulfur pit 60. A solution, preferably an aqueous solution, of at least one of the degassing agents is metered into inspection box 40 from storage tank 70 through line 80. Alternatively, if the melting point of the specific degassing agent utilized is below the temperature of the molten sulfur, the degassing agent may be added as a melt. To minimize the equipment
TABLE VI __________________________________________________________________________ EFFECT OF ADDING AMMONIUM THIOSULFATE IN A CONVENTIONAL SULFUR PIT ON THE H.sub.2 S CONCENTRATION OF SULFUR Time after Addition of H.sub.2 S Concentration in Sulfur: wppm Ash Content of Sulfur: wppm (NH.sub.4).sub.2 S.sub.2 O.sub.3 Started. Hrs. In Sulfur Pit Exiting Sulfur Sulfur Pit From Loading Truck __________________________________________________________________________ O(i.e. before addition 219, 220, 220, 236 -- 74.85 -- started) 20 231, 237 190, 194 -- 74, 71 43 241, 176 218, 264 -- 71, 70 66 181, 188 -- -- -- 70 199, 114 164, 164 -- 47, 55 89 201, 189, 210 -- -- -- 171 213, 224 -- -- -- __________________________________________________________________________
required, storage tank 70 may be placed above inspection box 40, and the degassing agent gravity fed. The flow rate is controlled by metering valve 90. The degassing agent solution or melt also may be metered into the molten sulfur installation using a conventional pump. A filter 100 also may be added to minimize contamination of the molten sulfur and to prevent plugging of metering valve 90.
In many locations the tail gas from the reaction of H2 S and SO2 for producing elemental sulfur is treated to remove small amounts of H2 S by a series of reactions in an aqueous solution containing inorganic salts. Occasionally these inorganic salts are carried into the product sulfur. In one test a degassing agent ammonium thiosulfate was added as an aqueous solution having 55 wt. % ammonium thiosulfate to molten sulfur having a temperature ranging between about 125° and 150° C. The concentration of ammonium thiosulfate in the sulfur entering the sulfur pit without mechanical agitation was approximately 118 wppm. The average residence time of the sulfur in the pit was 70-80 hrs. It was noted within the first few hours that a thick crust formed on the sulfur surface. As indicated in Table VI the ash content of the sulfur, measured in a sample taken from the pit surface, was 74-85 wppm before the addition of ammonium thiosulfate was started. After 70 hours from the start of the ammonium thiosulfate addition, the ash content of the sulfur dropped to 47-55 wppm but the H2 S content of the sulfur was not significantly reduced. Later tests with an aqueous solution containing 20-40 wt. % urea showed that it, too, has the property of causing this separation of ash from sulfur and formation of a layer that may be skimmed from the sulfur surface.
To determine if the crust formed on the surface of the sulfur may have inhibited the volatilization of hydrogen sulfide from the sulfur pit, a test using an aqueous solution having 55 wt. % ammonium thiosulfate as the degassing agent was done in a four-stage sulfur pit having a total average residence time of about 6 hours, but with mechanical sulfur recirculation.
TABLE VII __________________________________________________________________________ EFFECT OF AMMONIUM THIOSULFATE ON THE PERFORMANCE OF SULFUR DEGASIFICATION FACILITY WITH CIRCULATION Ammonium Set of Time After Addition Thiosulfate Residence Time Samples of (NH.sub.4).sub.2 S.sub.2 O.sub.3 in the Addition Rate, of Sulfur in H.sub.2 S Concentration in Sulfur, wppm No. Run Started, Hrs. wppm Each Stage, Hrs. 1st Stage 2nd Stage 3rd Stage 4th Stage __________________________________________________________________________ (Inactive with- out recircula- tion pump) 1 -- 0 1.2 259-263 228 204 185-194 2 -- 0 1.6 339 339 328 315 3 -- 0 1.6 275 211 168 170 4 51/2 50 1.4 76 20 6 5 __________________________________________________________________________
It should be noted that the hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen polysulfides concentration in Table VII decrease after the addition of ammonium thiosulfate when the sulfur was recirculated. The data of Tables VI and VII thus indicate that ammonium thiosulfate is an effective degassing agent, and that it also may decrease the sulfur ash content.
FIG. 3 is a plot of the residual H2 S concentration in molten sulfur contained in a non-stirred sulfur pit where the sulfur, to which about 100 wppm of urea was added, had an average residence time ranging from about 3.5 to about 6 days. The residual concentration of H2 S decreased significantly, illustrating that continuous use of urea also decreases the residual H2 S concentration of the sulfur even in the absence of sulfur agitation. The ash content of the sulfur, both at the commencement and termination of the test, remained at less than 5 wppm, thus indicating that the urea addition did not adversely affect the ash content of the sulfur.
The concentration of degassing agent utilized is not critical and will be dependent on the specific agent used. Generally, the rate of addition of the degassing agent to the molten sulfur will range between 1 (one) part per billion and 5000 parts per million by weight, and preferably from about 50 to about 200 parts per million by weight.
While the invention has been described with respect to specific compounds and a specific embodiment, it will be understood that this disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains as a fall within the scope of the invention.
Claims (7)
1. A method for reducing the hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen polysulfides concentration in molten sulfur comprising the addition to the molten sulfur of an effective amount of a degassing agent, said degassing agent selected from the class consisting of inorganic .[.phosphorous.]. .Iadd.phosphorus .Iaddend.compounds, urea and urea derivatives without the further addition to the molten sulfur of sulfur dioxide .Iadd.and/or a gas which oxidizes molten sulfur to sulfur dioxide.Iaddend..
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the inorganic .[.phosphorous.]. .Iadd.phosphorus .Iaddend.compounds are selected from the class consisting of phosphates, phosphines, phosphites, phosphine oxides, phosphine sulfides and hypophosphates.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein the inorganic .[.phosphorous.]. .Iadd.phosphorus .Iaddend.compounds are selected from the class consisting of triammonium orthophosphate and diammonium hydrogen phosphate.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the urea derivatives are selected from the class consisting of mono-, di-, tri- and tetra ureas, thiourea and cyclic ureas.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein the rate of addition of the degassing agent to the molten sulfur ranges from about 1 part per billion to about 5000 parts per million by weight.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein the rate of addition of the degassing agent to the molten sulfur ranges from about 50 to about 200 parts per million by weight.
7. The method of claim 1 wherein the hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen polysulfides are at least partially removed from the molten sulfur in a sulfur installation comprising an inlet, an inspection box communicating with the inlet, an outlet communicating with the inspection box, and a sulfur storage facility communicating with the outlet, the molten sulfur flowing from the inlet through the inspection box and the outlet to the sulfur storage facility, the method comprising the addition of the degassing agent to the inspection box, whereby the degassing agent becomes intermixed with the molten sulfur to thereby release at least a portion of the hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen polysulfides during the residence time of the molten sulfur in the sulfur storage facility. .[.8. A method for reducing the hydrogen sulfide or hydrogen polysulfides present in molten sulfur which comprises treating the molten sulfur with an effective amount of a degassing agent, said degassing agent consisting essentially of inorganic phosphorous compounds, urea and urea derivatives..]. .[.9. The method of claim 8 wherein the inorganic phosphorous compounds are selected from the class consisting of phosphates, phosphines, phosphites, phosphine oxides, phosphine sulfides and hypophosphates..]. .[.10. The method of claim 8 wherein the urea derivatives are selected from the class consisting of mono-, di-, tri-, and tetra-ureas, thiourea, and cyclic urea..]. .[.11. A method for reducing the concentration of hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen polysulfides in molten sulfur in a sulfur installation of the type having an inlet, an inspection box communicating with the inlet, and outlet communicating with the inspection box, and a sulfur pit communicating with the outlet, the molten sulfur flowing from the inlet through the inspection box and outlet into the sulfur storage facility, the method comprising the addition of an effective amount of a degassing agent to the inspection box, the degassing agent intermixing with the sulfur to release at least a portion of the hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen polysulfides during the residence of the molten sulfur in the sulfur storage facility..]. .[.12. The method of claim 11 wherein a source of the degassing agent is disposed at an elevation above that of the inspection box, the degassing agent being added by gravity flow to the inspection box..].
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US7927577B2 (en) | 2009-01-12 | 2011-04-19 | Worleyparsons Group, Inc. | Sulfur collection systems and processes with integrated degassing |
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