Importance

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Abstract

A method, apparatus and system for treating a stream containing H.sub.2 S are disclosed. A preferred method comprises mixing the stream containing H.sub.2 S with a light hydrocarbon stream and an oxygen containing stream to form a feed stream; contacting the feed stream with a catalyst while simultaneously raising the temperature of the stream sufficiently to allow partial oxidation of the H.sub.2 S and partial oxidation of the light hydrocarbon to produce a product stream containing elemental sulfur, H.sub.2 O, CO and hydrogen, and cooling the product stream sufficiently to condense at least a portion of the elemental sulfur and produce a tail gas containing CO, H.sub.2, H.sub.2 O and any residual elemental sulfur, and any incidental SO.sub.2, COS, and CS.sub.2 from the hydrocarbon stream or produced in the process. The tail gate is contacted with a hydrogenation catalyst so that CO is then reacted with water to produce CO.sub.2 and hydrogen and any elemental sulfur, SO.sub.2, COS, and CS.sub.2 in the tail gas is preferably converted into H.sub.2 S. The resulting H.sub.2 and H.sub.2 S-containing tail gas stream is then contacted with an alkanolamine absorber to remove the H.sub.2 S, producing a hydrogen stream which may be compressed and further purified for use in a hydrogen consuming process.

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First Claim