The solubility of H 2S in liquid sulfur

Abstract

The need for fundamental data describing the dissolution of hydrogen sulfide, H 2S, in Claus recovered liquid sulfur prompted an examination of equilibrium H 2S solubility at typical industrial condensation temperatures and partial pressures. An FT/IR absorption technique has been described and new H 2S solubility measurements have been reported for partial H 2S pressures from 0.4 to 56 kPa and temperatures from 120 to 155 °C. The measurements were combined with previously reported values for atmospheric pressures of H 2S and used to calibrate a semi-empirical equation for the Henry's law solubility in liquid sulfur as a function of temperature. Estimations were compared to Claus plant field data and appear to underestimate the H 2S solubility for the first and second catalyst condenser stages. This underestimation was attributed to rapid condensation resulting in super-saturation of the recovered sulfur liquid, or an inaccurate measurement of the condensation temperatures.