Apparatus for recovering elemental sulphur

A piping arrangement for two or three Claus catalytic converters and condenser sets used for recovering sulphur from gas streams containing hydrogen sulphide. One of the converters is operated at a sub-dewpoint temperature while the other(s) is(are) operated at a higher temperature for regenerating the catalyst. The piping arrangement includes two four-way switching valves that allow an influent gas stream to be switched between the two converters without leaving stagnant gas in the piping.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to an apparatus for recovering elemental sulphur 
from a gas stream containing hydrogen sulphide, by the "Claus" process. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The Claus process essentially involves the catalytic conversion of hydrogen 
sulphide to sulphur and water. The process is widely used to eliminate 
sulphur compounds from gas streams as a pollution control measure At the 
same time, the process is commercially attractive because it results in 
the production of a saleable sulphur product. A primary use of the Claus 
process is to remove hydrogen sulphide from acid gas streams that result 
from oil refining processes. In this application, hydrogen sulphide is 
oxidized to sulphur dioxide and the hydrogen sulphide and sulphur dioxide 
react to produce elemental sulphur and water. The process is carried out 
at high temperature in a catalytic converter containing activated alumina 
catalyst. 
It has been recognized that, if the Claus process is carried out at 
temperatures below the dewpoint of the sulphur that is produced (e.g. 
about 230.degree. C. to 116.degree. C.), conversion to sulphur increases 
substantially. However, as the reaction proceeds and sulphur is adsorbed 
into the catalyst in the converter, the effectiveness of the catalyst is 
reduced and the catalyst must be periodically regenerated. A second 
catalytic converter is therefore provided so that the catalyst in one 
converter can be regenerated while the other is operated at the dewpoint 
for sulphur recovery. Regeneration can take place "on-line" by directing 
into the converter the full forward flow of the gas stream, which is at 
high temperature. This causes the sulphur that was previously condensed on 
the catalyst to be vapourized. The vapourized sulphur is recovered 
downstream in a separate condenser. 
An enhancement to this process involves the provision of three catalytic 
converters instead of two. In this process one catalytic converter is in 
regeneration and two converters are operated below the dewpoint. Again, 
regeneration takes place by directing into the relevant converter the full 
forward flow of the gas stream, which is at high temperature. The addition 
of the extra converter operating below the dewpoint provides overall 
higher levels of sulphur recovery. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
In a typical sub-dewpoint acid gas treatment unit housing two converters 
and two condensers and using on-line regeneration, six two-way switching 
valves are required to permit the gas flow to be switched between the two 
converters for permitting on-line regeneration of the cataylst. Each of 
the six switching valves must be accessible for maintenance and 
maintenance platforms must be provided (which is expensive). 
When the converters are operating normally (one at a sub-dewpoint 
temperature and one at a high temperature for regenerating the catalyst) 
three of the two-way valves are closed and three are open. During 
switching of the gas stream from one converter to the other, a previously 
closed valve is opened and a previously open valve is closed until all six 
valves have changed position. 
A corresponding installation having three converters and three condensers 
and using on-line regeneration would have nine two-way switching valves. 
As a result of the piping configurations used, there are always sections of 
piping between the converters and condensers that contain stagnant gases. 
These stagnant gases contain trace quantities of sulphur trioxide. If the 
gas stream is allowed to cool to the acid dewpoint, the sulphur trioxide 
combines rapidly with water (which is always present in the gas) to form 
sulphuric acid. The sulphuric acid molecules have an affinity for water so 
that the concentrations of sulphuric acid that occur are very corrosive to 
steel and to almost all plastics as well as to concrete, castables, 
gunites and mortar. Only a very small amount of sulphur trioxide is 
required in the stagnant gas stream to form a fairly concentrated acid. 
To prevent acid formation during plant shutdown, inert purge gas is flowed 
through all lines to ensure that no acid can condense. However, purge gas 
cannot be used during normal operation of the plant. Therefore, sections 
of pipe which will contain stagnant gas are heat traced and insulated to 
prevent the gas from dropping below the acid dewpoint. The heat tracing on 
these lines is expensive and is provided solely for the purpose indicated. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
An object of the present invention is to provide an improved apparatus and 
method for recovering elemental sulphur gas from a gas stream that is 
intended to avoid the problems outlined above. 
The apparatus provided by the invention includes at least two Claus 
catalytic converter and condenser sets, each comprising a converter 
containing a catalyst and a condenser. Each set has an inlet connection to 
the converter and an outlet connection from the condenser. A two-position 
four-way switching valve is provided in association with each converter 
and condenser set. Each valve has two inlets and two outlets and provides 
two mutually isolated flow paths from the inlets to the outlets, and the 
valve is switchable between a first position in which each inlet is 
coupled to a defined one of said outlets, and a second position in which 
the outlets are reversed. The converter and condenser sets and valves are 
coupled with the gas stream and with an exhaust by piping so that, in use, 
a first one of the valves receives gas from the stream through a first one 
of its inlets and can be set to deliver gas selectively through either 
outlet to the inlet connection of one of the converter and condenser sets, 
while the second valve can be set to receive gas selectively through 
either of its inlets from the outlet connection of either converter and 
condenser set, and can deliver the gas selectively to exhaust or to the 
second inlet of the first valve. 
This arrangement allows the valves to be set so that the incoming gas 
stream can be delivered to any selected one of the converters to 
regenerate its catalyst while the output from that converter is circulated 
through the other converter or converters for sulphur recovery. At the 
same time, gas will always be flowing in the piping so that there is no 
stagnant gas under normal operating conditions; hence no acid can form, 
and heat tracing is not required.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART APATUS 
FIG. 1 shows a typical sulphur recovery unit that might be used to treat a 
tail gas stream from an acid gas treatment unit (not shown). One function 
of the gas treatment unit is to ensure that at least substantially all 
sulphur containing compounds are in the form of hydrogen sulphide and 
sulphur dioxide. 
A feed line from the acid gas treatment unit is indicated by reference 
numeral 10 and an exhaust line to a further waste gas treatment process is 
indicated at 12. The apparatus itself comprises two Claus catalytic 
converter and condenser sets indicated generally at 14 and 16. Each set 
comprises a converter containing a catalyst and a condenser downstream of 
the converter. The converter and condenser of the first set are indicated 
at 18 and 20 respectively while the corresponding converter and condenser 
of the second set are denoted 22 and 24. Each set has an inlet connection 
to the converter and an outlet connection from the condenser, the inlet 
and outlet for set 14 being indicated at 26 and 28 respectively while the 
inlet and outlet of set 16 are indicated at 30 and 32 respectively. 
Connections between each converter and the associated condenser are 
indicated respectively at 34 and 36. Elemental sulphur can be recovered 
from each condenser as indicated by the arrows denoted S. 
The apparatus shown in the drawing includes six two-way switching valves 
denoted 38, 40, 42, 44, 46 and 48. Piping is indicated by solid lines. The 
gas may flow through either of two paths under steady state conditions, 
one of which is indicated by full line arrows (first path) and the other 
by dotted line arrows (second path). The first path is through valve 38, 
converter 18, condenser 20, valve 42, converter 22, condenser 24 and valve 
46. At this time valves 38, 42 and 46 are open and valves 40, 44 and 48 
are closed. The valves that are closed at this time are each represented 
as a pair of solid black triangles, while the open valves are shown as a 
pair of triangular outlines. 
The second path is through valve 48, converter 22, condenser 24, valve 40, 
converter 18, condenser 20 and valve 44. At this time, valves 38, 42 and 
46 are closed and valves 40, 44 and 48 are open. 
When the gas is flowing in the first path, the catalyst in converter 18 
will be undergoing regeneration while the other converter will be 
operating at a sub-dewpoint temperature for recovering sulphur. The 
reverse will happen during flow through the second path. 
When the gas is flowing through the first path, the sections of pipe 
denoted as follows will contain stagnant gases: 50, 52, 54, 56, 58 and 60. 
When gas is flowing through the second path, the following sections of 
pipe will contain stagnant gases; 62, 64, 66, 68, 70 and 72. 
It will be seen that, except for two very small sections denoted 74 and 76, 
all of the piping will contain stagnant gas at one time or another during 
the operation of the apparatus and will require heat tracing and 
insulation to prevent acid condensation. 
As discussed previously, the process carried out in the installation of 
FIG. 1 may be enhanced by adding a third catalytic converter and condenser 
set. By using suitable piping incorporating nine two-way valves (as known 
in the art) the installation may be operated so that feed line (10) can be 
selectively connected to any one of the three catalytic converter and 
condenser sets for catalyst regneration in the converter of that set, and 
the gas leaving that set can be recirculated through the other two 
converters (which are operated at the dewpoint), before entering the 
exhaust line (12). The catalysts in the three converters can then be 
regenerated in turn by appropriately operating the valves of the 
installation. 
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring now to FIG. 2, the same two converter and condenser sets are 
shown and are denoted by primed reference numerals corresponding to the 
reference numerals used in FIG. 1. However, in contrast to the arrangement 
of FIG. 1, the six two-way valves and associated piping have been replaced 
by two four-way valves. As will be explained, this arrangement eliminates 
any sections of piping which will contain stagnant gas and avoids the need 
for heat tracing of the piping. 
FIG. 6 diagrammatically illustrates one of the four-way valves and FIG. 7 
is a vertical sectional view through a practical form of valve. Each valve 
has two inlets and two outlets, the two inlets being denoted A and B in 
FIG. 6 and the two outlets C and D. The valve provides two mutually 
isolated flow plaths through the valve from the inlets to the outlets. 
Each valve is switchable between the first position indicated in FIG. 6 as 
"Mode 1" in which each inlet is coupled to a defined outlet and a second 
position denoted "Mode 2", in which the outlets are reversed. In "Mode 1", 
inlet A is coupled to outlet C and inlet B is coupled to outlet D. In 
"Mode 2", the outlets have been reversed so that inlet A is connected to 
outlet D and inlet B is connected to oulet C. 
Reverting to FIG. 2, the two valves are denoted by reference numerals 78 
and 80 respectively and the inlets and outlets of the two valves are 
denoted as in FIG. 6. Again, two possible flow paths are provided for the 
gas. The first flow path is shown by the full line arrows and the second 
flow path by the dotted line arrows. 
Assuming that valves 78 and 80 are both in the "Mode 1" position of FIG. 6, 
incoming gas from line 10' will enter inlet A of valve 78 and will leave 
through outlet C to converter 18' for regeneration of the catalyst in that 
converter. Vapourized sulphur from the catalyst will be carried with gas 
from converter 18' into condenser 20' and elemental sulphur will be 
removed at S'. From the outlet of converter and condenser set 14', gas 
leaving the outlet 28' of the first converter and condenser set will enter 
inlet A of valve 80 and will leave from outlet C. From outlet C, the gas 
will enter inlet B of valve 78 and will leave through outlet D of that 
valve and be delivered to the second converter 22', which will be 
operating at a sub-dewpoint temperature. Sulphur will be extracted from 
the gas stream in converter 22' and condensed from the gas stream in 
converter 24', leaving that condenser as elemental sulphur. Finally, the 
gas stream leaving the outlet 32' will enter inlet B of valve 80 and will 
leave through outlet D to the outlet line 12'. 
When the catalyst in converter 22' is to be regenerated, both valves will 
be switched to their "Mode 2" positions. Incoming gas entering inlet A of 
valve 78 will then leave through outlet D and be delivered to the second 
converter and condenser set 16'. Gas from that set will then return to 
inlet B of valve 80 and leave through outlet C of that valve and enter 
valve 78 through inlet B. The gas will leave valve 78 through outlet C 
into converter 18' which at this time will be the converter operating at a 
sub-dewpoint temperature. Gas leaving outlet 28' of converter and 
condenser set 14' will enter inlet A of valve 80 and leave through outlet 
D to line 12'. 
As indicated previously, at no time will any of the lines contain any 
stagnant gas. Accordingly, heat tracing will be unnecessary. Further, a 
single maintenance platform can be provided for accessing the two valves 
78 and 80. 
The two valves 78 and 80 have been omitted from FIGS. 3 and 4, which show 
the two flow paths separately. 
FIG. 5 shows an apparatus similar to that of FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, but having 
three converter and condenser sets, each set having associated therewith a 
four-way switching valve. The respective converters and condenser sets are 
denoted 82, 83 and 84, while the respective valves are denoted 86, 88 and 
90. As noted previously, the apparatus can be operated in three different 
modes in each of which the feed line is connected to a selected one of the 
converter and condenser sets for catalyst regeneration in the converter in 
that set while the gas leaving that set is circulated through the other 
two converters (operating at the dewpoint) before entering the exhaust 
line of the apparatus. 
In the first mode, the incoming gas flows from gas stream 10' along a first 
path through valve 86, converter and condenser set 82, valve 88, converter 
and condenser set 83, valve 90, converter and condenser set 84 and then 
back through valve 86, valve 88 and valve 90 to exhaust line 12'. The 
second path is through valve 86, valve 88, valve 90, converter and 
condenser set 84, valve 86, converter and condenser set 82, valve 88, 
converter and condenser set 83 and valve 90. The third path is through 
valve 86, valve 88, converter and condenser set 84, valve 86, converter 
and condenser set 82, valve 88 and valve 90. 
As in the preceding embodiment, at no time will any of the lines contain 
any stagnant gas. Accordingly, heat tracing will be unnecessary. 
While it may be possible to obtain suitable four-way switching valves from 
normal commercial sources, a four-way switching valve that can be used as 
the valve 78 and 80 forms the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 4,842,016 
(McKenzie). FIG. 7 is a vertical sectional view through this valve and 
will now be described. 
The valve itself is generally indicated by reference numeral 110 and has a 
generally cylindrical casing 112 that extends about an axis 114. The valve 
has two inlets 116 and 118 denoted respectively as "inlet A" and "inlet B" 
and two outlets 120 and 122 denoted as "outlet C" and "outlet D". As 
discussed previously, the valve can adopt either of two positions referred 
to as "mode 1" and "mode 2". In mode 1 inlet A is connected to outlet C 
and inlet B is connected to outlet D, while in mode 2 the outlets are 
reversed. As drawn, the valve is in an intermediate, transitional position 
between the positions of mode 1 and mode 2. 
Disposed concentrically within casing 112 and extending about axis 114 is 
an inner hollow member 124 of cylindrical shape. Member 124 defines an 
internal chamber having open opposite ends 124a and 124b. The inlets 116 
and 118 and outlet 122 are formed by respective tubular members 126, 128 
and 130 that extend inwardly through the outer casing 112 and are joined 
to the inner cylindrical member at openings in its wall forming first, 
second and third ports (denoted respectively 132, 134 and 136) spaced 
along axis 114. 
At their outer ends, the tubular members have respective flanges 138, 140 
and 142 for connection to external pipework. Casing 112 is open at its 
lower end and forms outlet 120. In this particular embodiment, the lower 
end portion of the casing is flared inwardly because the opening from 
outlet 120 is required to be narrower than the diameter of the casing 
(although this is not of course essential). A connection flange 144 is 
provided for outlet 120. 
Four valve seats are provided inside cylindrical member 124 and are 
arranged in pairs respectively above and below each of the first and third 
ports 132 and 136. The upper pair of valve seats above and below port 132 
are denoted respectively as 146 and 148 while the corresponding valve 
seats for port 136 are denoted 150 and 152. 
Disposed on axis 114 and extending inwardly through the upper end of casing 
112 and through the cylindrical member 124 is a valve stem 154 that 
carries two disc-shaped valve seals 156 and 158 disposed respectively 
between the two pairs of valve seats 146, 148 and 150, 152. 
A conventional packing gland generally denoted 160 is provided at the top 
of the casing around the valve stem 154. This packed gland can be equipped 
with jacketing with heating coil or graphite lubricant through a latern 
ring in the packing if required in service. The gland is also equipped 
with a cast-iron scrapper bushing 162 which acts as a stem guide and also 
as a scraper for remvoing deposits on the stem which would deteriorate the 
packing in service. The lower end portion of the valve stem 154 is guided 
by a cast-iron bushing 164 supported at the lower end of the cylindrical 
member 124 by a spider denoted 166. 
The two valve seals 156, 158 are biassed outwardly against shoulders 154a, 
154b on stem 154 by respective springs 168, 170. The springs in turn react 
against respective nuts 172 and 174 that are screw-threaded onto stem 154. 
This arrangement allows "thermal growth" permitting the valve discs to 
seal even when the valve stem elongates due to thermal expansion. 
Fluid leakage through the seals 156, 158 where the valve stem passes 
through is prevented with the use of metal-to-metal piston ring type seals 
generally indicated at 156a, 158a. Two rings are employed positioned one 
inside the other with the ring splits located 180.degree. apart. This 
configuration greatly reduces the amount of leakage due to the labyrinth 
sealing effect. 
The valve seals and seats are of what might be termed "plug-line" contact 
crushing type. In other words, the seals in effect plug the seats to form 
a closure. At the same time, the seals have slightly convex surfaces where 
they contact the seats so that in fact line contact is established, as 
opposed to face-to-face surface contact. The seals have the effect of 
crushing any particles that might accumulate on the seats. In alternative 
embodiments, the valves could be designed for knife-edge type seats or 
shearing-type seats. 
Stroking of the valve stem 154 can be accomplished manually or by suitable 
power actuator means (e.g. pneumatic). Upward vertical movement of the 
valve stem from the position shown will bring the two valve discs into 
contact with the upper valve seats 146 and 150 respectively. Fluid 
entering inlet A will then flow into the interior of the cylindrical 
member 124 and out through outlet D. At the same time, the fluid entering 
inlet B will flow downwardly and out of the lower end of cylindrical 
member 124 and through outlet C. Downward vertical movement of the valve 
stem 154 to bring the valve discs into contact with the seats 148 and 152 
will in effect reverse the outlets. Fluid entering through inlet A will 
then flow upwardly through valve seat 146 and into the space between the 
exterior of the cylindrical member 124 and the casing. The fluid will then 
flow downwardly in the space and out of outlet C. The fluid entering 
through inlet B will flow upwardly in the cylindrical member and out of 
outlet D. 
It will of course be understood that the preceding description relates to a 
particular preferred embodiment of the invention and that modifications 
are possible within the broad scope of the invention. Some possible 
modifications have been indicated previously and others will be apparent 
to a person skilled in the art. 
In some instances the valves may be re-positioned without affecting their 
function. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, valve 80 could be 
re-positioned above the inlet 30' of the converter 22'. One inlet of valve 
80 would then be connected to outlet D of valve 78 while the other inlet 
would be connected to outlet 28' of condenser 20'. One outlet of valve 80 
would go to exhaust, and the other to converter inlet 30'. Condenser 
outlet 32' would be connected to inlet B of valve 78. In this 
configuration, the piping layout is somewhat more similar to the layout of 
FIG. 5 than the layout actually shown in FIG. 2.