SELECTIVE GAS ABSORPTION UNDER PRESSURE

For selective removal of H(2)S from much larger quantities of CO(2) under pressure, an industrial prototype spray column has been constructed. Sodium hydroxide solution was atomized by a pressure nozzle of special design and entered the scrubber as fine spray to contact the sour gases. Several operating variables were examined in order to indicate optimal operating conditions for maximum selectivity of H(2)S over CO(2). Fine mist and short contact time favor this selective absorption process. An optimum inlet reactant concentration was found dependent upon the H(2)S content relative to CO(2) in the inlet sour gas mixture. A special nozzle/shield configuration to avoid contact of sour gas with highly turbulent liquid during droplet formation significantly improved the selectivity.