CrystaSulf

CrystaSulf is the trade name for a chemical process used for removing hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) from natural gas, synthesis gas and other gas streams in refineries and chemical plants.^[1][2] CrystaSulf uses a modified liquid-phase Claus reaction to convert the hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) into elemental sulfur which is then removed from the process by filtration. CrystaSulf is used in the energy industry as a mid-range process to handle sulfur amounts between 0.1 and 20 tons per day. Below 0.1 tons of sulfur per day is typically managed by H₂S Scavengers and applications above 20 tons per day are typically treated with the Amine – Claus process.

Process Chemistry

In the CrystaSulf process, a heavy hydrocarbon liquid is pumped through an absorber where the liquid contacts the gas stream that contains H₂S. The H₂S is absorbed from the gas stream and the clean gas stream then exits the absorber. The H₂S in the liquid where it reacts with sulfur dioxide (SO₂) to form elemental sulfur and water according to the following chemical equation.

2 H₂S + SO₂ → 3 S + 2 H₂O

The formed elemental sulfur remains dissolved in the hydrocarbon solution. Since the elemental sulfur remains dissolved, there are no solids, i.e., no slurry, in the absorber section of the process. This eliminates plugging problems that have been documented for aqueous redox processes when operated at high pressures. The SO₂ that was present in the hydrocarbon solution was added prior to the solution being pumped into the absorber. The SO₂ is chemically bound in the solution and readily available to react with H₂S. The process is operated with an excess amount of SO₂ in the solution so that there will always be sufficient amount for the liquid phase Claus reaction with H₂S.

Elemental Sulfur Removal

After the dissolved elemental sulfur is formed in the hydrocarbon solution, the liquid is piped from the absorber through a flash vessel if necessary to lower the operating pressure and then through a crystallizer. The crystallizer reduces the temperature of the solution and solid sulfur is formed. The solid sulfur is removed by a filter.

After the solid sulfur is removed, the hydrocarbon solution is re-heated to approximately 150°F and the liquid is then pumped back into the absorber to continue the process of absorbing more H₂S and removing it from the gas stream.^[3] The hydrocarbon solution has a low corrosion rate.

Patent information for CrystaSulf

6,416,729 B1 ^[4] ; Process for removing hydrogen sulfide from gas streams which include or are supplemented with sulfur dioxide, by scrubbing with a nonaqueous sorbent; 9-Jul-2002; David W. DeBerry, Dennis A. Dalrymple

6,818,194 ^[5]; Process for removing hydrogen sulfide from gas streams which include or are supplemented with sulfur dioxide, by scrubbing with a nonaqueous sorbent; 16-Nov-2004; David W. DeBerry, Dennis A. Dalrymple, Kevin S. Fisher

5,733,516 ^[6]; Process for removal OF hydrogen sulfide from a gas stream; 31-Mar-1998; David W. DeBerry

5,738,834 ^[7]; System for removal of hydrogen sulfide from a gas stream; 14-Apr-1998; David W. DeBerry

References

1. ^ Department of Energy Report on Hybrid Sulfur Recovery Process for Natural Gas Upgrading
2. ^ CrystaSulf – One-Step H2S to Sulfur Conversion for High-Pressure Natural Gas
3. ^ Energy Processing Canada
4. ^ CrystaSulf patent 6,416,729
5. ^ CrystaSulf patent 6,818,194
6. ^ CrystaSulf patent 5,733,516
7. ^ CrystaSulf patent 5,738,834

External links

• New Process for H₂S Management - Bnet
• CrystaSulf Information

See also

• Amine treating
• Hydrogenation
• Claus process
• Acid gas
• Sour gas