Pressure vessel for separating sulfur from an aqueous sulfur suspension

Abstract

Apparatus for continuously separating sulfur from an aqueous sulfur suspension which is heated above the melting point of sulfur. The apparatus comprises a pressure vessel having heating and stirring means in its upper part, the lower part of the vessel serving as a settling tank where sulfur is precipitated out of the aqueous solution and withdrawn through an outlet in the bottom of the vessel. Intermediate the upper and lower parts of the vessel is a substantially horizontal, shallow conical partition which has apertures or slots therein to permit the suspension to pass from the upper part to the lower part. A steam-heated jacket surrounds the vessel; while pressure sensing devices are utilized to maintain the level of the water in the top part and the boundary surface between the water phase and the sulfur phase in the bottom part at desired heights. The pressure sensing devices also control the withdrawal of sludge at the interface between the water phase and sulfur phase as a function of the differential pressure above and below the interface.