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Title:
A MICROBUBBLE-BASED HYDROGEN SULFIDE (H2S) TREATMENT SYSTEM
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2024/035361
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A microbubble-based hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment system (1) comprising a waste gas (2a) containing the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) contaminant, an iron (Fe)-based solution allowing said waste gas (2a) to be treated and the elemental sulfur (15) to be obtained from said waste gas (2a), at least one absorption reactor (3) for circulating said solution therebetween, and at least one regeneration reactor (6), characterized in that: the waste gas (2a) injected into the absorption reactor (3) has a pH in a range of 2-5, a temperature between 30°C and 60°C, and a pressure value in a range of 1-5 bar, the pH value of the regeneration medium (14) containing the iron (Fe)-based solution in the regeneration reactor (6) is in a range of 9-10, the microbubble injection into the regeneration medium (14) containing the iron (Fe)-based solution in the regeneration reactor (6) has an outlet pressure of 1-4 bar, the microbubble size of the oxygen (O2) injected into the regeneration medium (14) containing the iron (Fe)-based solution in the regeneration reactor (6) is in a range of 20-30 micrometers (μm), the rising velocity of the oxygen (O2) microbubbles injected into the regeneration medium (14) containing the iron (Fe)-based solution in the regeneration reactor (6) is in a range of 0.02-0.05 m/s.

Inventors:
UYAK VEDAT (TR)
Application Number:
PCT/TR2022/051385
Publication Date:
February 15, 2024
Filing Date:
November 30, 2022
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
RAFINE CEVRE TEKNOLOJILERI LTD SIRKETI (TR)
International Classes:
B01D53/14
Domestic Patent References:
WO2004056454A12004-07-08
WO2012057925A12012-05-03
Foreign References:
JP2007136251A2007-06-07
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
KORDINAT INOVASYON VE FIKRI MULKIYET YONETIMI LTD. STI. (TR)
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Claims:
CLAIMS A microbubble-based hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment system (1) comprising a waste gas (2a) containing the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) contaminant, an iron (Fe)- based solution allowing said waste gas (2a) to be treated and the elemental sulfur (15) to be obtained from said waste gas (2a), at least one absorption reactor (3) for circulating said solution therebetween, and at least one regeneration reactor (6), characterized in that:

The waste gas (2a) injected into the absorption reactor (3) has a pH in a range of 2-5, a temperature between 30°C and 60°C, and a pressure value in a range of 1-5 bar,

The pH value of the regeneration medium (14) containing the iron (Fe)-based solution in the regeneration reactor (6) is in a range of 9-10,

The microbubble injection into the regeneration medium (14) containing the iron (Fe)-based solution in the regeneration reactor (6) has an outlet pressure of 1-4 bar,

The microbubble size of the oxygen (O2) injected into the regeneration medium (14) containing the iron (Fe)-based solution in the regeneration reactor (6) is in a range of 20-30 micrometers (pm),

The rising velocity of the oxygen (O2) microbubbles injected into the regeneration medium (14) containing the iron (Fe)-based solution in the regeneration reactor (6) is in a range of 0.02-0.05 m/s. The microbubble-based hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment system (1) according to claim-1 ; wherein it comprises a waste gas unit (2) preferably made of a kind of a metal, or a composite material with high heat and pressure resistance, in which the waste gas (2a) is stored. The microbubble-based hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment system (1) according to claim-1 or claim-2; wherein it comprises at least one absorption diffuser (16) allowing the injection into the absorption reactor (3), which is connected to the waste gas unit (2). The microbubble-based hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment system (1) according to claim-1 ; wherein it comprises at least one absorption reactor (3) having an absorption medium (13) comprising an iron (Fe)-based catalyst solution, in which the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) contaminant is separated from the waste gas (2a).

5. The microbubble-based hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment system (1) according to claim-1 ; wherein it comprises at least one air discharge valve (4) located on the top of the absorption reactor (3), from which the gas stream free from H2S contaminant leaves the system.

6. The microbubble-based hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment system (1) according to claim-1 ; wherein it comprises at least one absorption circulating pump (5) allowing the solution converted into a Fe+2 ion as a result of an oxidation process in the absorption reactor (3) to be transferred to the regeneration reactor (6).

7. The microbubble-based hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment system (1) according to claim-1 ; wherein it comprises at least one regeneration reactor (6) with a regeneration medium (14) allowing said Fe+2 ion to be converted into a Fe+3 ion by reacting the Fe+2 ion involved in the system by the absorption circulating pump (5) with the oxygen (O2) molecules of a microbubble size.

8. The microbubble-based hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment system (1) according to claim-1 ; wherein it comprises at least one oxygen discharge valve (7) configured on the upper part of the regeneration reactor (6), which allows the excess oxygen which is not used to be discharged from the reactor.

9. The microbubble-based hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment system (1) according to claim-1 ; wherein it comprises at least one regeneration circulating pump (8) allowing the regenerated iron (Fe)-based solution to be transferred to the absorption reactor (3).

10. The microbubble-based hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment system (1) according to claim-1 ; wherein it comprises at least one air vacuum device (9) used to meet the oxygen (O2) gas requirement of the regeneration reactor (6), and preferably, at least one oxygen concentrator (9a). The microbubble-based hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment system (1) according to claim-1; wherein it comprises at least one microbubble generator (10) allowing the air suctioned from the atmosphere by the air vacuum device (9) to be converted into a bubble of a micron size. The microbubble-based hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment system (1) according to claim-1 ; wherein it comprises at least one diffuser equipment (11) allowing the oxygen (O2) gas converted into a bubble of a micron size by the microbubble generator (10) to be injected into the regeneration reactor (6). The microbubble-based hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment system (1) according to claim-1 ; wherein it comprises at least one sulfur collecting pump (17) allowing the solid sulfur particles precipitated on the bottom in the regeneration reactor (6) to be collected and transferred out of the system. The microbubble-based hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment system (1) according to claim-1 ; wherein it comprises at least one press unit (12) allowing the mixture of solution liquid and solid sulfur transferred by the sulfur collecting pump (17) to be recovered as the elemental sulfur (15) by dewatering. An operation method of the microbubble-based hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment system (1) according to anyone of the above claims; characterized in that it comprises the following steps:

- A step of transferring the gas (100),

- A treatment step (200),

- A step of transferring the solution(300),

- A step of subjecting the Fe solution to a regeneration process (400),

- A step of obtaining sulfur (500),

- A step of transferring the Fe solution into the absorption reactor (600). A method according to claim 15, characterized in that the step of transferring the gas (100) comprises the processes of transferring the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) contaminant-containing waste gas (2a) stored in the waste gas unit (2) to the absorption reactor (3) by the absorption diffuser (16) and injecting said waste gas (2a) of said absorption diffuser (16) in the absorption reactor (3) at a temperature of 30°C-60°C, a pressure value of 1-5 bar and a pH of 2-5 in an acidic form. A method according to claim 15, characterized in that the treatment step (200) comprises the processes of converting the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) molecules in said waste gas (2a) into the elemental sulfur (S°) compound by reacting with the Fe+3 ion in the solution during the movement of the bubbles of the waste gas (2a) towards the top of the absorption reactor (3) by being risen in the iron (Fe)-based catalyst solution in said absorption medium (13) due to the pressure formed by the absorption diffuser (16) and discharging said gas stream treated to the atmosphere by leaving the system through the air discharge valve (4). A method according to claim 15, characterized in that the step of transferring the solution (300) comprises the processes of transferring the solution converted into the Fe+2 ion upon the oxidation occurred in the absorption medium (13) in the absorption reactor (3) to the regeneration reactor (6) by at least one absorption circulating pump (5). A method according to claim 15, characterized in that the step of subjecting the Fe solution to a regeneration process (400) comprises the processes of oxidizing the Fe+2 ion in the liquid medium to the Fe+3 ion by the oxygen (O2) gas introduced into the solution from the bottom of the regeneration reactor (6) by a regeneration diffuser (11), discharging the excess oxygen which is not used in said regeneration reactor (6) into the atmosphere through the top, meeting the oxygen (O2) gas requirement of said regeneration reactor (6) by at least one air vacuum device (9) and an oxygen concentrator (9a), delivering the air bubbles suctioned from the atmosphere by said air vacuum device (9) and the catalyst solution pumped from the regeneration reactor (6) to the microbubble generator (10), converting the oxygen (O2) gas molecules in the solution into a bubble form of a micron size by said microbubble generator (10), and injecting the same back to the regeneration reactor (6) by the regeneration diffuser (11) at the bottom of the regeneration reactor (6). A method according to claim 15, characterized in that the step of obtaining sulfur (500) comprises the processes of delivering the solid sulfur particles in the solution to the filer press unit (12) by being deposited in a conical part of the reactor using microbubble rising velocity principle in the regeneration reactor (6) and being collected at certain intervals by the sulfur collecting pump (17), and removing the sulfur particles dewatered in said filter press unit (12) from the system in the form of elemental sulfur (15). A method according to claim 15, characterized in that the step of transferring the Fe solution to the absorption reactor (600) comprises the processes of pumping back the regenerated Fe solution to the absorption reactor (3) by a regeneration circulating pump (8) and maintaining said pumping process until the gas transfer step (100) is stopped.

Description:
A MICROBUBBLE-BASED HYDROGEN SULFIDE (H 2 S) TREATMENT SYSTEM

Subject of the Invention and Technical Field

The invention relates to a treatment system in which a microbubble technology is implemented in removing the hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) contaminant contained in the waste gas. The basic characteristic feature of the invention is a microbubble hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) treatment system, which is configured to minimize the mass transfer resistances encountered in the liquid phase, to increase the oxidation efficiency and to allow the regeneration of the catalyst solution to be performed with a high conversion efficiency.

State of the Art

Today, it is seen that various biochemical, chemical or physicochemical methods are used for the removal of the hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), the contaminant parameter, in gas streams. It is seen that the "sulfur recovery process", which is one of the physicochemical methods in the industry and preferred due to the high hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) treatment efficiency thereof, has found a wide range of uses. It is seen that said process is applied for the treatment of H 2 S contaminant in the gas streams in various production sectors such as petrochemical, paper industry and geothermal energy, which is basically configured according to the principle of purging the hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) contaminant parameter by passing the waste gas through a catalyst solution.

In the state of the art, preparation of the catalyst used in the "sulfur recovery process" using the chemical vanadium (V) or iron (Fe) is technically possible, however it is seen that solutions prepared with the iron (Fe) chemical are used in practice due to the environmental risks of vanadium. Accordingly, hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) ions, which react with the catalyst solution prepared with the iron (Fe) chemical, are oxidized by the ferric iron (Fe +3 ) ion and converted into the elemental sulfur (S°) or, in other words, the elemental sulfur (S°) particles. As can be seen in Equation-1 , 2 moles of ferric iron (Fe +3 ) ions are consumed to convert 1 mole of hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) compound into 1 mole of elemental sulfur (S°). As a result of this reaction, hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) ion is converted into the elemental sulfur (S°), while the Fe +3 ion is reduced to the Fe +2 ion. Equation-1 : 2Fe +3 + H 2 S 2Fe +2 + S° + 2H

In order for a sulfur recovery process carried out with an iron (Fe) based catalyst solution to be continuous, the Fe +2 ion should be oxidized by the oxygen (O 2 ) molecule and converted into the Fe +3 ion. This conversion process, formulated in Equation-2, is also called a regeneration process. Generally, oxygen gas is used in the regeneration of Fe +2 (oxidation to Fe +3 ). The oxidation of Fe +2 is carried out by introducing the O 2 molecule into the system through a diffuser.

Equation-

In the state of the art, normally air is first pressurized to inject the oxygen into the water and then is injected into the water from the bottom of the reactor or tank by means of a diffuser. The disadvantage of this implementation is that the oxygen molecule obtained creates a small gas-liquid contact area due to the large bubble size and has low pressure values. These characteristic features cause the rate of dissolution of oxygen in water to be slow and therefore the oxidation efficiency to be realized at low rates. This, in practice, causes the oxidation rate of Fe +2 in solution to slow down and therefore the industrial facilities need larger reactor areas to prolong the oxidation time of Fe +2 .

In the state of the art, systems in which the regeneration of the catalyst solution is carried out with macrobubble oxygen gas are encountered. A low solubility of oxygen gas of macrobubble size in water and a slow oxidation rate may be listed as the important disadvantageous conditions of the macrobubble oxygen regeneration process.

In the state of the art, a need for high number of a agitator and high ratios of a compressed gas, especially for solutions with a high iron content, causes a significant increase in operating costs depending on the need for equipment. In order to address this negativity, it is seen that various improvements have been made based on the principle of increasing the amount of oxygen introduced into the system during the regeneration process in order to increase the amount of dissolved oxygen in the solution and to shorten the oxidation time of Fe +2 and Fe +3 , but the low solubility of oxygen gas in water and the mass transfer resistances occurring between the gas and liquid phases cause the oxygen molecules not to dissolve sufficiently in the water phase and the oxidation process to occur with a low efficiency. Therefore, it is seen that approaches such as increasing the amount of oxygen in the system do not provide successful results in terms of shortening the oxidation time of Fe +2 and Fe +3 . Normally, during the oxidation processes carried out in this way, the average bubble size of the air bubbles in the air flow introduced into the liquid phase by the diffuser equipment varies between 2 and 4 mm. The number of air bubbles of that size in 1 ml of solution is approximately 2, and the surface area of these bubbles is stated as 12.56 mm 2 . On the other hand, reducing the bubble size to the micrometer levels in the system will cause both an increase in the number of bubbles per unit volume and an increase in the total bubble surface area.

In the state of the art, the gas-liquid mass transfer process is critical in the oxidation process. The mass transfer rate generally causes a decrease in the oxidation reaction rates. Normally, gas molecules are produced in the form of small bubbles to obtain a large surface area, resulting in an efficient mass transfer approach between the gas and liquid phase. Scientific findings have emphasized that the mass transfer rate is inversely proportional to the bubble size. Therefore, the mass transfer efficiency will be increased by reducing the bubble size from millimeter sizes to micrometer sizes. Microbubbles are defined as small bubbles less than a few micrometers (pm) in diameter. Microbubbles appear to have very large interface areas, low rising velocity, and high internal pressure as compared to the conventional bubbles, which are usually only a few millimeters in diameter. These features allow the microbubbles in the gas phase to dissolve easily in the liquid phase. Also, microbubbles may deliver oxygen to the inaccessible areas, resulting in more efficient oxidation results than the conventional bubbles. Therefore, microbubbles may be used as a potential method to increase the amount of mass transfer and increase the efficiency of the oxidation process during the regeneration process. Scientific findings show that the bubbles of a micron size increase the mass transfer rate between the gas and liquid phase due to their large surface areas and high internal pressure values.

In current applications, the Fe +2 ion is reacted with the oxygen (O2) molecule during the regeneration process, thereby oxidizing Fe +2 to Fe +3 . This process is expressed as the Fe +2 oxidation reaction. During this oxidation process, the bubble size of the oxygen gas introduced into the water phase from the diffusers in the regeneration-reactor system varies between 150 and 250 micrometers (pm). Under these conditions, the mass transfer resistances during the transition of the oxygen molecule to the liquid phase cause a decrease in the amount of oxygen dissolved in the water phase.

The Chinese patent document no.CN106076083A discloses a process in which the microbubble technology is used for the removal of the hydrogen sulfide (H2S), the contaminant parameter, in the state of the art. Said patent document discloses a process allowing the hydrogen sulfide to be removed and the sulfur to be recycled simultaneously in an acidic environment using the oxidation effect. The process is characterized by a rapid desulfurization in an acidic liquid phase using two catalysts. The hydrogen sulfide gas is dissolved via the microbubbles in order to increase the reaction rate. High quality sulfur is obtained after degassing, separating, washing, vacuum filtrating and drying processes, respectively. The reactor used in the process basically consists of a regeneration tower, a lower regeneration section and an upper recycling section. When the invention described in the patent document no. CN106076083A is considered in more detail,

■ It has been planned to produce bubbles of a micron size during the introduction of the waste gas into the chemical solution using the micro-bubble technology in the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) oxidation process. In the technology of said patent no. CN106076083A, the waste gas is provided in microbubble size from the bottom of the absorption reactor to the catalyst solution via a diffuser integrated into the absorption reactor system. There exists freshly regenerated catalyst solution (high Fe +3 concentration) in the absorption reactor. This causes the necessity to use a high ratio of Fe +3 compounds to oxidize the H2S contaminant in the solution of the absorption reactor.

■ The oxidation of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is observed to be carried out in acidic conditions, in a pH range of 3 to 5. As the dissolution rate, oxidation rate and reactivity of the H2S contaminant in acidic and basic conditions differ significantly, it has been demonstrated in many scientific studies that the oxidation rate obtained in basic conditions is higher than in the acidic conditions.

■ In the technology of the patent no. CN106076083A, the oxidation of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is carried out using synergistic effect mechanism of these two catalysts.

The patent document no. CN113952837A encountered in the state of the art discloses a method used for the treatment of industrial waste gas with a microbubble spray tower which has a strong oxidation ability. Microbubbles are produced by the pressure of the soda-water mixing pump. The microbubbles involved in the process are then sucked in from the bottom of the spray tower. The contaminants contained in the industrial waste gas are decomposed by the oxidation in the microbubble spray tower. The object of the invention is to convert the carbon-based organic contaminants contained in the waste gas into CO2 and H2O by the oxidation process. In that system, the chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), potassium persulfate (K2SO4) and silicone oil are planned to be used as catalysts. In the technology of the patent no. CN113952837A, the reactor system is designed and operated as a spray tower (liquid flow from top to bottom).

The patent document no. KR102038046B1 encountered in the state of the art basically relates to a plant used for the removal of hydrogen sulfide contained in biogas. It is characterized by comprising a first a first treating device for dissolving the hydrogen sulfide contained in biogas in the first treated water; a first exhaust device for exhausting gas from the first treating device; a first water storage tank for storing the first treated water; and a storage space to which the microbubbles formed by the spraying unit are transferred via a first connection pipe for communicating the first exhaust device with the first treated water storage tank. In the technology of the patent no. KR102038046B1 , the H2S contaminant in the biogas is treated with water, and no catalyst is used in this system.

The patent document no. US2007267763A1 encountered in the state of the art is related to a microbubble generating system. It is characterized by comprising a main container unit, the bottom of which has a cylindrical space; a liquid inlet configuration provided in tangential direction on a part of the inner wall of said unit; a gas introducing hole at the bottom of said cylindrical unit; and a gas-liquid outlet opening arranged on the top of said cylindrical unit. The technology of the patent no. US2007267763A1 intends to a design of a microbubble generating technology.

The patent document no. US6149887A encountered in the state of the art relates to a method and device for removing hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen polysulfide compounds out of liquid sulfur by stripping with a gas, such as air. The method is conducted in an apparatus equipped with at least two degassing compartments and a sulfur collection pit. There exist degassing compartments herein. The invention did not directly emphasize the microbubble method. The technology of the patent no. US6149887A does not aim to remove hydrogen sulfide compounds by a degassing method, and no chemical catalyst is planned to be used in this treatment process.

As can be seen in the examples examined above, various methods are observed to be used for the removal of the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) contaminant parameter in the state of the art, however, there is a need for a system which is characterized by the parameters like operating conditions, injection pressure range, operating pH value of the regeneration reactor (alkaline oxidation), micro-bubble application point and which allows the regeneration process to be realized with a high conversion efficiency.

Technical Problems to be Solved by the Invention

The present invention relates to a treatment system developed for solving the problems in the state of the art, which are addressed in previous section, in which a microbubble technique is used for the regeneration process in the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment system, wherein the system allows the regeneration of the catalyst solution to be performed with a high conversion efficiency by generating oxygen gas bubbles of a micron size, wherein the system is configured according to the parameters like microbubble application point, operating conditions, injection pressure range, operating pH value of the regeneration reactor (alkaline oxidation). The invention aims at a treatment system which enables the regeneration of the catalyst solution to be carried out with a high conversion efficiency and the oxidation efficiency to be increased by minimizing the mass transfer resistances encountered in the liquid phase by producing oxygen gas bubbles of a micron size.

An advantage of the invention is that the production of small-sized oxygen bubbles with the microbubble device in regeneration studies led to an increase in oxidation efficiency. In this system, the mass transfer resistances in the liquid phase were significantly eliminated by producing 1 xio 6 (1 million) solid bubbles times the normal number of oxygen bubbles per unit time, thereby increasing the solubility of the oxygen molecule in the water phase, and in this case, achieving a high ratio of oxidation efficiency. In this innovative regeneration process proposed, producing a large number of oxygen bubbles with the micro-bubble generating system and increasing the amount of contact area between the gas and liquid phase have paved the way for an increase in oxidation efficiency. Another advantage of the invention is that, in the state of the art, the size of the air bubbles applied in mm in size is reduced from mm to a micrometer (pm) size (between 100 and 1000 times), and the total amount of bubble surface area is increased by 10.000 times. In this way, air bubbles of a micrometer (pm) size increased the solubility of oxygen, eliminating both mass transfer resistances and increasing oxidation efficiency. In addition, small-sized (20-30 pm) oxygen gas bubbles are generated, thereby minimizing the mass transfer resistances encountered in the liquid phase and increasing the oxidation efficiency.

Another advantage of the invention is that more oxygen bubbles with a larger surface area will be injected into the liquid per unit of time by generating oxygen molecules of 20-30 pm in size for the oxidation process in the microbubble oxidation system, thereby reducing the mass transfer resistances occurring between the gas/liquid phases. The generation of the oxygen bubbles 100-200 times smaller than the normal oxidation technique creates 10.000-20.000 times more surface area, allowing to reduce the mass transfer resistances encountered in the gas-liquid interface area. On the other hand, increasing the pH value above 9 during the oxidation process and operating the microbubble injection pressure of the diffuser with an outlet pressure of 1-4 bar allowed the oxidation rate to increase, and these 2 parameters were considered as strategic operating parameters. Said pH value will allow the oxidation rate to increase, and adjusting the operating pressure of the diffuser microbubble injection between 1-4 bar will pave the way for the microbubble rising velocity to be in the range of 0.02 - 0.05 m/s. The sulfur particles in the reactor solution will be allowed to settle towards the bottom of the reactor within this range of microbubble rising velocity. In this way, the solid sulfur mass collected at the bottom of the reactor is sent to the filter press unit by means of a pump, allowing it to be separated from the solution.

Another advantage of the invention is that the oxidation efficiency is increased due to the 80% reduction of the mass transfer resistance forces occurring between the gas and liquid phase, thanks to the production of micron-sized small bubbles.

In order for the system of the invention to be better understood, the reference will be made to the following drawings. Description of the Figures

Figure -1 is a conceptual design view of the microbubble hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment system of the invention.

Figure -2 is a flow chart showing the process steps in the microbubble hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment system of the invention.

Flow Process Step Name, Section and Part Reference Numerals to Help Explain the Invention

1- Microbubble hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment system

2- Waste gas unit

2a- Waste gas

3- Absorption reactor

4- Air discharge valve

5- Absorption circulating pump

6- Regeneration reactor

7- Oxygen discharge valve

8- Regeneration circulating pump

9- Air vacuum device

9a- Oxygen concentrator

10- Microbubble generator

11- Regeneration diffuser

12- Filter press unit

13- Absorption medium

14- Regeneration medium

15- Elemental sulfur

16- Absorption diffuser

17- Sulfur collecting pump

100- Step of transferring gas

200- Treatment step

300- Step of transferring solution

400- Step of subjecting the Fe solution to regeneration process

500- Step of obtaining sulfur 600- Step of transferring the Fe solution into the absorption reactor

Detailed Description of the Invention

The invention aims at a system in which the microbubble technique is applied in the regeneration process used for the removal of the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) contaminant in the waste gas stream. The present invention aims at a microbubble hydrogen sulfur (H2S) treatment system which enables the regeneration of the catalyst solution to be carried out with a high conversion efficiency and the oxidation efficiency to be increased by minimizing the mass transfer resistances encountered in the liquid phase by producing oxygen gas bubbles of a micron size.

Microbubble hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment system of the invention is especially characterized by the following parameters:

- A microbubble application point,

Operating conditions,

Injection pressure range,

Operating pH value of the regeneration reactor (alkaline oxidation).

Although the invention is related to the removal of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) contaminant, the system of the invention will be in use in, and applicable to, all treatment plants. Drawings will be used to explain the invention in more detail, but the drawings used should not be binding as there may be changes in the constructions of the drawings, dimensions or device details. It should be kept in mind that protection includes all systems.

Figure-1 shows the elements of the microbubble hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment system (1) of the invention as a conceptual design. Said elements basically are as follows:

- A waste gas (2a) containing hydrogen sulfur (H2S) contaminant,

- A waste gas unit (2) preferably made of a kind of a metal, or a composite material with high heat and pressure resistance, in which the waste gas (2a) is stored,

- At least one absorption diffuser (16) allowing said waste gas (2a) to be injected into the absorption reactor (3), at a temperature of 30°C-60°C, a pressure value of 1-5 bar and a pH of 2-5 in an acidic form, wherein the absorption diffuser is connected to the waste gas unit (2),

- At least one absorption reactor (3) having an absorption medium (13) containing an iron (Fe)-based catalyst solution, in which the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) contaminant is separated from the waste gas (2a),

- At least one air discharge valve (4) located on the top of the absorption reactor (3), from which the gas stream free from H2S contaminant leaves the system,

- At least one absorption circulating pump (5) allowing the solution converted into a Fe +2 ion as a result of an oxidation process in the absorption reactor (3) to be transferred to the regeneration reactor (6),

- At least one regeneration reactor (6) with a regeneration medium (14) allowing said Fe +2 ion to be converted into a Fe +3 ion by reacting the Fe +2 ion involved in the system by the absorption circulating pump (5) with the oxygen (O2) molecules of a microbubble size,

- At least one oxygen discharge valve (7) configured on the upper part of the regeneration reactor (6), which allows the excess oxygen which is not used to be discharged from the reactor,

- At least one regeneration circulating pump (8) allowing the regenerated iron (Fe)- based solution to be transferred to the absorption reactor (3),

- At least one air vacuum device (9) used to meet the oxygen (O2) gas requirement of the regeneration reactor (6), and preferably, at least one oxygen concentrator (9a),

- At least one microbubble generator (10) through which the air suctioned from the atmosphere by the air vacuum device (9) is transferred by being subjected to oxygen decomposition processes by at least one oxygen concentrator (9a), which microbubble generator allows said oxygen to be converted into a bubble of a micron size,

- At least one diffuser equipment (11) allowing the oxygen (O2) gas converted into a bubble of a micron size by the microbubble generator (10) to be injected into the regeneration reactor (6),

- At least one sulfur collecting pump (17) allowing the solid sulfur particles precipitated on the bottom in the regeneration reactor (6) to be collected and transferred out of the system, - At least one press unit (12) allowing the mixture of solution liquid and solid sulfur transferred by the sulfur collecting pump (17) to be recovered as the elemental sulfur (15) by dewatering.

In order to carry out Fe +2 oxidation with a high efficiency and rate in the regeneration medium (14) in the microbubble hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment system (1) of the invention, the pH value of the regeneration medium (14) containing iron (Fe)-based solution is above 9, preferably between 9 and 10. The outlet pressure of the injection pressure of the microbubble injected into the regeneration medium (14) comprising iron (Fe)-based solution is in the range of 1-4 bar; the microbubble size of the oxygen (O2) injected into the regeneration medium (14) comprising iron (Fe)-based solution is in the range of 20 to 30 micrometers (pm); and the rising velocity of the oxygen (O2) microbubbles injected into the regeneration medium (14) comprising iron (Fe)-based solution is in the range of 0.02-0.05 m/s.

Increasing the pH value above 9 during the oxidation process carried out in the regeneration medium (14) in the microbubble hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment system (1) of the invention, wherein this value will preferably be between 9 and 10, and operating the microbubble injection pressure of the regeneration diffuser (11) with an outlet pressure between 1-4 bar have allowed the oxidation rate to increase, and the parameters of said pressure and pH values have been evaluated as strategic operating parameters. The oxidation rate has been increased to high rates as the pH value in the regeneration medium (14) preferably is between 9 and 10. Adjusting said microbubble injection operating pressure between 1 and 4 bar has enabled the microbubble rising velocity to be in the range of 0.02 - 0.05 m/s. The sulfur particles in the regeneration medium (14) precipitate towards the bottom of the reactor as said microbubble rising velocity is in the range of 0.02 - 0.05 m/s. In this way, the solid sulfur mass collected at the bottom of the regeneration reactor (6) is sent to the filter press unit (12) by means of the sulfur collecting pump (17) and is allowed to be separated from the solution. As a result, the production of micron-sized small bubbles has increased the oxidation efficiency by substantially reducing the mass transfer resistance forces between the gas and liquid phase.

The working method of the microbubble hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment system (1) of the invention is generally the treatment of a waste gas containing hydrogen sulfide (H2S) contaminant (2a) in the absorption medium (13) containing iron (Fe)-based solution, transfer of the solution in said absorption medium (13) to the regeneration medium (14), performing of the regeneration process in said regeneration medium (14) with a high conversion efficiency, transfer of the solution in said regeneration medium (14) back to the absorption medium (13). Said method shown as a flow chart in Figure-2 is characterized by including the following steps:

- A step of transferring the gas (100),

- A treatment step (200),

- A step of transferring the solution (300),

- A step of subjecting the Fe solution to a regeneration process (400),

- A step of obtaining sulfur (500),

- A step of transferring the Fe solution into the absorption reactor (600).

The above-mentioned steps are explained in more detail below.

Step of transferring gas (100): the waste gas (2a) which is stored in the waste gas unit (2) and contains hydrogen sulfide (H2S) contaminant is transferred to the absorption reactor (3) via the absorption diffuser (16). Said absorption diffuser (16) injects said waste gas (2a) into the absorption reactor (3), at a temperature of 30°C-60°C, a pressure value of 1-5 bar and a pH of 2-5 in an acidic form.

Treatment step (200): This is the step which takes place after the step of transferring gas (100). Under the pressure effect created by the absorption diffuser (16), the bubbles of the waste gas (2a) rise in the iron (Fe)-based catalyst solution in the absorption medium (13) and move towards the top of the absorption reactor (3). During said upstream transfer -the movement from the absorption diffuser (16) to the air discharge valve (4), the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) molecules in the waste gas (2a) react with the Fe +3 ion in the solution and turn into the elemental sulfur (S°) compound. The gas stream free from the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) contaminant therein leaves the system through the air discharge valve (4) and is provided to the atmospheric environment.

Step of transferring the solution (300): following the treatment step (200), the solution converted into the Fe +2 ion upon the oxidation occurred in the absorption medium (13) in the absorption reactor (3) to the regeneration reactor (6) by at least one absorption circulating pump (5). Step of subjecting the Fe solution to a regeneration process (400): This is the step beginning after the step of transferring solution (300). The oxygen(C>2) gas introduced into the solution from the bottom of the regeneration reactor (6) by means of a regeneration diffuser (11) oxidizes the Fe +2 ion in the liquid medium to the Fe +3 ion. The excess oxygen, which is not used in the regeneration reactor (6), is provided to the atmosphere from the top part. The oxygen (O2) gas requirement of the regeneration reactor (6) is met by at least one air vacuum device (9). The air bubbles sucked in from the atmosphere by said air vacuum device (9) are separated from the nitrogen gas in an oxygen concentrator (9a) and sent to the microbubble generator (10) together with the catalyst solution pumped from the regeneration reactor (6). The oxygen (O2) gas molecules in the solution in the micro-bubble generator (10) are converted into micronsized bubbles and injected into the regeneration reactor (6) by the regeneration diffuser (11) at the bottom of the regeneration reactor (6).

Step of obtaining sulfur (500): Following the step of subjecting the Fe solution to the regeneration process (400), the solid sulfur particles in the solution are deposited at the bottom of the regeneration reactor (6) using the micro-bubble rising velocity principle in the regeneration reactor (6) and are collected by means of the sulfur collecting pump (17) at regular intervals and sent to the filter press unit (12). The sulfur particles dewatered in said filter press unit (12) are removed from the system as the elemental sulfur (15).

Step of transferring the Fe solution into the absorption reactor (600): this is the next step after the step of obtaining sulfur (500). During this step, the regenerated Fe solution is pumped into the absorption reactor (3) by means of at least one regeneration circulating pump (8). Continuing said pumping process until the step of transferring gas (100) is stopped ensures that the process in the microbubble hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment system (1) repeats itself continuously in a cyclic manner.

The invention is described through a specific embodiment in the description section. The object herein is not to be a limitation, but to provide exemplification in order to facilitate the understanding of the invention. It is obvious that different modifications or variations of the invention may be made by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope of the inventive concepts described by using the claims, description and drawings. In this context, the invention is intended to have the full scope as defined by the claims and various modifications or variations of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

Industrial Applicability of the Invention

The microbubble hydrogen sulfide (H2S) treatment system (1) of the invention is basically configured according to the principle of removing the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) contaminant parameter in gas streams, and may also be used in treatment processes in various production fields such as petrochemical, natural gas treatment, paper industry and geothermal energy facilities.