Union Oil Company of California

Hugh W Gowdy

Donald M Fenton

Howard D Simpson

Dennis D Delaney

Steven D Light

Roland F Deering

Arnold E Kelley

The long term stability of process solutions used in H.sub.2 S-to-sulfur absorption/oxidation process, wherein the incoming hydrogen sulfide-containing gas stream is contaminated with hydrocarbons and/or organic oxygenated compounds and the process is generating an excessive amount of thiosulfate in the process solution, is improved by a method comprising contacting the gas stream and/or the process solution with charcoal to remove both the contamination and at least a portion of the thiosulfate therefrom.

Method for improving the long-term stability of H.sub.2 S

Oil shale solids are pyrolyzed or retorted by contact with a non-oxidizing recycle gas in a first retorting zone to produce an effluent containing pyrolysis products and pyrolyzed oil shale solids. Liquid and gaseous product hydrocarbons are recovered from the effluent of the first retorting zone. The pyrolyzed oil shale solids are contacted with an oxygen-containing gas in a combustion zone under conditions such that at least a portion of the organic material in the pyrolyzed solids is burned to produce hot, decarbonized solids and a hot flue gas. At least a portion of the gases in the effluent from the first retorting zone is contacted in the substantial absence of molecular oxygen with a portion of the hot, decarbonized solids produced in the combustion zone in the presence of added hydrocarbon-containing fines, preferably oil shale fines, in a second retorting zone such that the gases are heated and the fines are pyrolyzed to produce pyrolyzed fines and pyrolysis products containing gases and vapors. The gases and vapors in the effluent from the second retorting zone are then recycled to the first retorting zone where they serve as the hot, non-oxidizing recycle gas.

Oil shale retorting process

A hydrogen sulfide removal and conversion method in which a hydrogen sulfide-containing gas stream is contacted with a regenerable washing solution having a pH between about 5 and about 10 and containing solubilized vanadium, thiocyanate ions, a carboxylate complexing agent, one or more water-soluble quinones and one or more water-soluble nonquinone aromatic compounds capable of solubilizing tetravalent vanadium. The absorbed hydrogen sulfide is converted to elemental sulfur which, after oxidative regeneration of the washing solution, is separated from the regenerated solution.

Method for removing hydrogen sulfide from gas streams

A hydrogen sulfide removal and conversion method in which a hydrogen sulfide-containing gas stream is contacted with a regenerable washing solution containing solubilized vanadium thiocyanate ions, a carboxylate complexing agent and one or more water-soluble quinones capable of solubilizing tetravalent vanadium. The molar ratio of vanadium to quinone(s) in the washing solution is selected to substantially reduce or eliminate the formation of contaminant sulfate salts. The absorbed hydrogen sulfide is converted to elemental sulfur which, after oxidative regeneration of the washing solution, is separated from the regenerated solution.

Process for producing synthetic fuel gas from either naturally occurring or synthetic liquid hydrocarbons by reacting the liquid hydrocarbons with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to produce methane. The catalyst comprises an interspersed mixture of metals selected from Groups IV(B), V(B), or VI(B) in combination with two Group VIII metals, composited with an inorganic refractory oxide support.

Process for producing synthetic fuel gas by reacting liquid hydrocarbons

Methanation catalysts and process for preparing and using the same are disclosed; said methanation catalysts being especially suitable for producing synthetic fuel gas, from either naturally occurring liquid hydrocarbons or synthetic liquid hydrocarbons produced from solid carbonaceous materials, the product gas having substantially the same heating value and density as natural gas and which may be intermingled therewith and distributed through the same pipe lines. The methanation catalyst comprises an interspersed mixture of metals selected from Groups IV(B), V(B), VI(B) and VIII metals of the Periodic Table, composited with an inorganic refractory oxide support or matrix.

Methanation catalysts and process for their preparation

A hydrogen sulfide removal and conversion method in which a hydrogen sulfide-containing gas stream is contacted with a substantially quinone-free aqueous washing solution containing, inter alia, solubilized vanadium, thiocyanate ions, and one or more water-soluble nonquinone aromatic compounds capable of solubilizing tetravalent vanadium. The absorbed hydrogen sulfide is converted to elemental sulfur which, after oxidative regeneration of the washing solution, is separated from the regenerated solution.

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Irvine, CA, United States of America

Hugh W Gowdy