Numerical simulations of the thermal stage in claus process: Equilibrium and kinetic investigation

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

The presence of contaminants in the acid gas produced from natural gas sweetening has a significant impact on the operating conditions of Claus furnace required for maximum sulfur recovery. Carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water vapor are the most common contaminants that accompany hydrogen sulfide in the acid gas stream. In this paper, equilibrium and chemical kinetic analyses are conducted on acid gas that contains carbon dioxide, nitrogen, and water vapor along with hydrogen sulfide. The objective of the equilibrium investigation is to find the optimum operating temperature for the Claus furnace that provides maximum sulfur recovery for different acid gas compositions. On the other hand, the objective of the chemical kinetic analysis is to study rigorously the reactions that occur in isothermal and adiabatic Claus furnace in order to compare the behavior of both reactors. Our equilibrium investigations indicate that the presence of contaminants decreases the optimum operating temperature and the sulfur conversion efficiency. Meanwhile, our chemical kinetic analysis revealed the main reaction that is responsible for the reduction of sulfur recovery in adiabatic Claus furnace and the factors that has a direct effect on this reaction. Equilibrium and chemical kinetic analyses are based on numerical simulations.

Original languageBritish English
Title of host publication48th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting Including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition
StatePublished - 2010
Event48th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting Including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition - Orlando, FL, United States
Duration: 4 Jan 20107 Jan 2010

Publication series

Name48th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting Including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition

Conference

Conference48th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting Including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityOrlando, FL
Period4/01/107/01/10

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