Manufacture of hydrogen sulfide

Abstract

Methods and apparatus adaptable to continuous production of hydrogen sulfide from chemical reaction of sulfur with various gaseous sulfur-reducing reactants selected from hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, carbon-containing compounds such as carbon disulfide, hydrogen, of mixtures of such gases are provided utilizing a fired process sulfur heater to vaporize liquid sulfur feed stock. Control of the temperature of the sulfur vapors and the amount of liquid sulfur feed are used to modulate sulfiding reaction temperatures. Viscosity of the liquid sulfur feed stock is modified by contact with product gases in order to facilitate flow rate control as liquid sulfur is pumped into the sulfur vaporizer where its temperature increases above about 300.degree. F. Steam for hydrolysis purposes is introduced with the sulfur vapors, to augment temperature modulation of the sulfiding reactions, and/or with the reductant gas to assist in heat recovery from the reaction product gases. The system is operated at pressures above atmospheric as determined by a back pressure established in removing hydrogen sulfide product gases. Controlled movement of reactants and reaction product gases through the system is achieved without mechanical flow control equipment in any of the relatively high temperature zones approaching sulfiding reaction temperatures or sulfur vaporizing temperature.