Vitrisol® a 100% selective process for H2S removal in the presence of CO2

Abstract Vitrisol®, a novel desulphurization process that is 100% selective for H2S removal from industrial gases containing CO2, can be described with the following overall reaction equation: H2S+0.5O2→H2O+SO(s) $${H_2}S + 0.5{O_2} \to {H_2}O + {S^O}(s)$$ The performance of Vitrisol® is demonstrated for two typical applications in shale gas production by comparing them to a standard amine treating process. The remainder toxic, acid gas produced by the latter technology is compressed for acid gas injection. From the results it can be concluded that significant reductions in utilities can be achieved by using Vitrisol® as depicted in the energy consumptions of the overall process. Contrary to the amine process, Vitrisol® does not require additional treatment of the non-toxic off-gas stream as the H2S is directly converted to crystalline sulphur. This study illustrates clearly that it is advantageous to first remove H2S from a gas stream containing both H2S and CO2 prior to CO2 removal to reduce utilities consumption.