Process of regenerating absorbent solutions for sulfur-containing gases

Abstract

In a process of regenerating laden absorbent solutions used to desulfurize gases which contain H.sub.2 S and CO.sub.2 and possibly COS, which solutions contain at least one highly volatile secondary amine in an organic solvent, the laden absorbent solution is flashed and stripped with its own vapor. The overhead vapors from the regenerator, which consists of an indirectly heated plate column, are cooled to approximately ambient temperature. The resulting condensate is separated and fed to the top of the regenerator. The cooled gas is withdrawn. A partial stream of the vapor is withdrawn from the regenerator 1 to 10 plates below the outlet for the overhead vapors and the inlet for the condensate and is cooled to ambient temperature. The resulting condensate is fed to the regenerator 1 to 10 plates above the inlet for the absorbent solution. The remaining gas is fed to a re-absorber, in which it is scrubbed in a counter-current operation with at least one partial stream of the absorbent solution, preferably with the effluent from the desulfurization COS. The exhaust gas is withdrawn from the top of the re-absorber. The absorbent solution drained from the re-absorber is fed to the upper portion of the regenerator. The regenerated absorbent solution is withdrawn and used to desulfurize gases which contain H.sub.2 S and CO.sub.2 and possibly COS.