Sulfur recovery from low hydrogen sulfide gases

Describes processes for recovering sulfur from acid gases containing less hydrogen sulfide than can be processed satisfactorily in a typical Claus sulfur recovery unit (as shown in diagram). One feature of the Recycle Selectox process is that the circulating gas acts like a flywheel to maintain steady operating conditions, even when the acid gas feed fluctuates. When the acid gas concentration falls below that which can be handled in a Claus or Selectox plant, direct conversion in a Stretford of similar process such as Unisulf is indicated. When the acid gases are weak in hydrogen sulfide, there are several considerations in conditioning the feed gas. Most of the hydrocarbons entering a Clause plant are oxidized to water and oxides of carbon. The weaker the acid gas feed, the greater is the advantage in using the Recycle Selectox process. Below 30%, the sulfur-burning Claus process can be applied. At 30% and lower, or even at higher concentrations, the Recycle Selectox or Selectox process offers a simpler yet effective means of converting and recovering sulfur. Concludes that simple modifications to the Claus process are adequate to convert hydrogen sulfide to elemental sulfur from reasonably prepared acid gases (CO/sub 2/ + H/sub 2/S)more » having hydrogen sulfide concentrations as low as 30%.« less