Benefits of Jet Reactor Application in Alkaline Gas Purification

Abstract

Our energy requirements have increased enormously in the last decades. We can get a significant amount of energy by the combustion of flammable gas mixtures of hydrocarbons. Proper gas purification prior to use is essential. A hydrocarbon-based gas mixture which contains sulfur compounds is called sour gas. H2S is one of the most problematic compounds in the transportation and utilization of natural gas or biogas. H2S is a toxic gas. It is corrosive in the presence of water. Upon the combustion of natural gas H2S is converted into SO2 which is not only harmful for the environment by causing acid rain but also constitutes a danger to human health. There are several methods of reducing the content of H2S in natural gas. However, the usability of these methods is limited due the increasingly strict environmental regulations. Our future aim is to develop a new, efficient and selective method. Selectivity is important to avoid unnecessary energy and chemicals consumption. Alkali-based competitive chemisorption method appears to be a good choice. H2S reacts with NaOH faster than CO2, which is the basis of the selectivity. Residence time is a key parameter for the efficiency of the operation. The essence of the method is the very short contact time, thus intensive contact between the gas and liquid phases has to be ensured along with rapid phase separation. Using a spray technology such as in Jet reactor is feasible. The advantage of the application of a Jet reactor is that various parameters can be changed.