Abstract:
A method and an apparatus for separating acidic gases from syngas are capable of reducing the necessary power and are capable of obtaining high-purity CO 2  at a high recovery ratio. A purification method and a purification system of coal gasification gas using the method and the apparatus are also provided. A apparatus for separating acidic gases from syngas containing acidic gases of CO 2  and H 2 S, in order, converts CO in the syngas into CO 2 , removes H 2 S contained in the syngas by using a solvent for physical absorption, and removes CO 2  from the syngas by using a solvent for chemical absorption.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for separating acidic gases from syngas. 
         [0002]    The composition of the conventional crude gas produced by coal gasification includes hydrogen (H 2 ), carbon monoxide (CO), and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) as the main components, and also includes nitrogen (N 2 ), methane (CH 4 ), hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), and the like. When CO 2  is removed from such a syngas to recover CO 2  therefrom, first, CO in the crude gas needs to be converted into H 2  and CO 2  by a reaction with steam (shift reaction). In addition, when the gas after purification is used as a raw material for chemicals such as ammonia or as a fuel for power generation, acidic gases such as H 2 S need to be removed from the crude gas. 
         [0003]    When CO shift reaction is performed without the removal of H 2 S from crude gas, the gas after the shift reaction contains both CO 2  and H 2 S, each of which then needs to be separated and recovered individually. Conventionally, in this separation process, a physical absorption process in which H 2 S is selectively dissolved in a solvent is employed first to separate CO 2  and H 2 S from each other.  FIG. 1  shows the configuration of an apparatus employing a typical physical absorption process for separating acidic gases from crude syngas. 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a plan view showing the schematic configuration of H 2 S removal means and CO 2  removal means in one embodiment of a conventional acidic gas separation apparatus using a physical absorption process. As shown in  FIG. 1 , shifted gas after the CO shift reaction is introduced into an acidic gas absorption tower  101 , and brought into contact with a solvent fed by a pump  102   d.  As a result, H 2 S is removed. The solvent having absorbed H 2 S in the crude gas in the acidic gas absorption tower  101  is introduced into an acidic gas stripping tower  106  through an acidic gas concentrating tower  104 . In the acidic gas stripping tower  106 , the absorbed acidic gas is stripped from the solvent by heating with a reboiler  109 . The stripped acidic gas is exhausted as acidic gas after passing through a condenser  107 . On the other hand, the solvent from which the acidic gas has been stripped is introduced into a CO 2  absorption tower  111  through a pump  102   b,  a heat exchanger  103 , and a cooler  110   a.    
         [0005]    The crude gas from which H 2 S has been removed in the acidic gas absorption tower  101  is introduced into the CO 2  absorption tower  111 , and again brought into contact with the solvent. As a result, CO 2  is removed. The purified gas after the CO 2  removal is used as a fuel for power generation, a raw material for chemical synthesis, or the like. The solvent having absorbed CO 2  is separated into gas components and the solvent in flash drums  112   a,    112   b,  and  112   c.  The gas components from the flash drum  112   a  are returned to the CO 2  absorption tower  111 , whereas the gas components from the flash drums  112   b  and  112   c  are exhausted as CO 2 . The solvent from which the gas has been released returns to the CO 2  absorption tower  111  through a pump  112   e  and a chiller  110   c,  and is reused in the CO 2  absorption tower  111 . 
         [0006]    As described above, the conventional acidic gas separation method using physical absorption is a method in which the crude gas after the coal gasification is washed with a solvent to thereby remove H 2 S, and the crude gas after the H 2 S removal is supplied into the CO 2  absorption tower, where the solvent again removes CO 2 . 
         [0007]    The physical absorption process is characterized that H 2 S and CO 2  are separated and recovered by the same solvent; however, the physical absorption process has a problem that the solvent needs to be cooled to a low temperature by a chiller, and hence power required by the chiller is extremely large. 
         [0008]    Furthermore, the method is advantageous in requiring no heat to strip CO 2  from the solvent having absorbed CO 2 , and in that 90% or more of carbon out of the total carbon (CO+CO 2 +CH 4 ) after coal gasification can be recovered as CO 2  by lowering the pressure. On the other hand, the method has a problem that the purity of the recovered CO 2  is low when compared with that obtained in the case of a chemical absorption process to be described later. This is because CO 2  is dissolved in proportion to the CO 2  partial pressure in the crude gas, and CO, H 2  and the like dissolved along with CO 2  are stripped simultaneously in the striping of CO 2 . 
         [0009]    On the other hand, unlike the physical absorption process, the chemical absorption process using a solvent containing an organic amine or the like is not capable of separating and recovering H 2 S and CO 2  individually from crude gas after the CO shift reaction. For this reason, it is necessary to first separate H 2 S before the CO shift reaction, that is, under a condition in which the CO 2  partial pressure in the crude gas is low, then to perform the CO shift reaction, and then to remove CO 2  by chemical absorption. 
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a plan view showing the schematic configuration of H 2 S removal means and CO 2  removal means in one embodiment of a conventional acidic gas separation apparatus using a chemical absorption process. As shown in  FIG. 2 , crude gas having been subjected to dust removal with a scrubber is introduced into an acidic gas absorption tower  201 , where H 2 S in the crude gas is separated and removed. The solvent used for the removal of the acidic gas is introduced into an acidic gas stripping tower  204 , through a pump  202   a  and a heat exchanger  203   a.  The acidic gas is stripped from the solvent by heating with a reboiler  207   a  in an acidic gas stripping tower  204 , and is exhausted through a condenser  205   a.  On the other hand, the solvent from which the acidic gas has been stripped is supplied into the acidic gas absorption tower  201 , and is reused. The crude gas from which the acidic gas has been removed in the acidic gas absorption tower  201  is introduced into a shift reactor  7 , where CO in the gas is converted into CO 2  by the shift reaction. Next, the crude gas after the shift reaction is introduced into a CO 2  absorption tower, where CO 2  is separated and removed. Thereafter, the gas is exhausted as purified gas. From the solvent having absorbed CO 2  in the CO 2  absorption tower  208 , CO, H 2 , and the like dissolved in the solvent are stripped by flash in a high pressure flash drum  209 , and then the solvent is introduced into a CO 2  stripping tower  210 . CO, H 2 , and the like stripped in the high pressure flash drum  209  join, after passing through a compressor  213 , the crude gas after the shift reaction, and is introduced again into the CO 2  absorption tower  208 . CO 2  stripped from the solvent in the CO 2  stripping tower is exhausted through a condenser  205   b.  Most of the solvent from which CO 2  has been stripped is returned to the CO 2  absorption tower  208  through a pump  202   d.  The rest of the solvent is introduced into a solvent regeneration tower  211  through a pump  202   e  and a heat exchanger  212   a.  The solvent regenerated in the solvent regeneration tower  211  is returned to the CO 2  absorption tower  208 , and is reused. The CO 2  stripping tower  210  and the solvent regeneration tower  211  are generally formed as an integrated tower. 
         [0011]    In such a chemical absorption process, when H 2 S is removed in the acidic gas absorption tower  201 , CO 2  is also removed and eventually exhausted outside the system. Accordingly, when a low grade coal is used as a raw material, the CO 2  partial pressure in the crude gas becomes high, which results in a significant CO 2  loss in the H 2 S removal step. Accordingly, there is a problem that, in the CO 2  recovery step in the downstream, recovery ratio of carbon does not reach 90% or more of total carbon. However, when compared to the physical absorption process, the chemical absorption process is advantageous in that the necessary power is low, and in that the purity of the recovered CO 2  is high because CO 2  is absorbed by a chemical reaction. 
         [0012]    U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0156923 discloses a configuration for separating acidic gas by such a chemical absorption process. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a method and an apparatus for separating acidic gases from syngas, both being capable of reducing the necessary power, and capable of obtaining high-purity CO 2  at a high recovery ratio. 
         [0014]    To achieve the above object, an aspect of the present invention provides an apparatus for separating acidic gases of CO 2  and H 2 S from syngas containing the acidic gases, the apparatus comprising: shift reaction means for converting CO in the syngas into CO 2 ; physical absorption means for removing, by using a solvent of physical absorption, H 2 S contained in the syngas after the shift reaction; and chemical absorption means for removing, by using a solvent of chemical absorption, CO 2  from the syngas from which H 2 S has been removed by the physical absorption means. 
         [0015]    Also, the apparatus of the present invention may further comprise solvent removal means for removing the solvent of physical absorption from the syngas from which H 2 S is removed by the physical absorption means, the solvent removal means being provided upstream of the chemical absorption means. 
         [0016]    Also, the apparatus of the present invention may further comprise heat exchange means for heating the syngas after the solvent removal and before the introduction into the chemical absorption means or circulating water used in the solvent absorbing means, by use of the syngas before the introduction into the physical absorption means and after the shift reaction. 
         [0017]    Also, the apparatus of the present invention may further comprise washing means for washing the syngas after the shift reaction, the washing means being provided upstream of the physical absorption means. 
         [0018]    Also, in the apparatus of the present invention, the solvent of physical absorption may be a solvent containing a mixture solution of dimethyl ether and a polyethylene glycols, and the solvent of chemical absorption may be a solvent containing an alkylamine. 
         [0019]    Also, another aspect of the present invention provides a system for purifying coal gasification gas, the system comprising: a gasifier for producing syngas from coal; a scrubber for removing a hazardous substance in the syngas; and the aforementioned separation apparatus for separating acidic gases from the syngas after the removal of the hazardous substance. 
         [0020]    Also, still another aspect of the present invention provides a method for separating acidic gases from syngas containing acidic gases of CO 2 , and H 2 S, the method comprising: a shift reaction step of converting CO in the syngas into CO 2 ; a physical absorption step of removing, by using a solvent of physical absorption, H 2 S contained in the syngas after the shift reaction; and a chemical absorption step of removing, by using a solvent of chemical absorption, CO 2  from the syngas from which H 2 S has been removed in the physical absorption step. 
         [0021]    Also, the method of the present invention may further comprise a solvent removal step of removing, before the chemical absorption step, the solvent of physical absorption from the syngas from which H 2 S is removed in the physical absorption step. 
         [0022]    Also, the method of the present invention may further comprise a heating step of heating the syngas after the solvent removal and before the chemical absorption step or circulating water used in the solvent removal step, by use of the syngas before the physical absorption step and after the shift reaction. 
         [0023]    Also, the method of the present invention may further include, before the physical absorption step, a washing step of washing the syngas after the shift reaction. 
         [0024]    Also, in the method of the present invention, the solvent of physical absorption may be a solvent containing a mixture solution of dimethyl ether and a polyethylene glycols, and the solvent of chemical absorption may be a solvent containing an alkylamine. 
         [0025]    Also, yet another aspect of the present invention provides a method for purifying coal gasification gas, the method comprising: a gasification step for producing syngas from coal; a dust removal step for removing a hazardous substance in the syngas in a scrubber; and a separation step by the aforementioned separation method for separating acidic gases from the syngas after the removal of the hazardous substance. 
         [0026]    The present invention makes it possible to remove, by using a solvent of physical absorption, H 2 S separately from CO 2 , thereby reduces CO 2  accompanying the H 2 S removal, and achieves a carbon recovery ratio of 90%. Also, since CO 2  in crude gas after the H 2 S removal is absorbed by a solvent by chemical absorption, high-purity CO 2  can be recovered. 
         [0027]    Also, according to the present invention, a solvent of chemical absorption is used as CO 2  removal means, thereby making it possible to eliminate the need for a chiller for cooling the solvent to a low temperature, and also to reduce the compressor power to a large extent. Also, according to the present invention, the use of a sour shift reactor containing sulfur makes it possible to reduce steam supplied from the outside, when compared with a sweet shift reactor, which is provided upstream of the CO 2  chemical absorption process, and which contains almost no sulfur. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is a plan view showing the schematic configuration of H 2 S removal means and CO 2  removal means in one embodiment of a conventional acidic gas separation apparatus using a physical absorption process. 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a plan view showing the schematic configuration of H 2 S removal means and CO 2  removal means in one embodiment of a conventional acidic gas separation apparatus using a chemical absorption process. 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing an apparatus for separating acidic gases from syngas, according to the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of the apparatus for separating acidic gases from syngas in one embodiment of the present invention, and specifically shows a part after a shift reactor. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail hereinbelow with reference to the drawings. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is a block diagram showing an apparatus for separating acidic gases from syngas, according to the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the acidic gas separation apparatus of the present invention comprises a gasifier  1 , a scrubber  2 , a CO shift reactor  3 , H 2 S removal means  4 , and CO 2  removal means  5 . 
         [0034]    As the coal gasifier  1 , a general coal gasifier developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Royal Dutch Shell plc, Chevron Corporation, or the like can be used. In such a coal gasifier, crude gas mainly containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen is produced. 
         [0035]    As the scrubber  2 , any conventionally known scrubber can be employed which can remove dust and hazardous substances in crude gas, such as mercury, heavy metals, and halogens, by bringing the crude gas into contact with a liquid to transfer the hazardous substances to the liquid. For example, a spray tower, a packed tower, a cyclone scrubber, a jet scrubber, a rotary washer, a venturi scrubber, or the like can be used as the scrubber  2 . The crude gas from which hazardous substances have been removed in the scrubber  2  is sent to the CO shift reactor  3 . 
         [0036]    In the CO shift reactor  3  used in the present invention, CO in the crude gas is reacted with H 2 O to cause a shift reaction producing H 2  and CO 2  (H 2 O+CO→H 2 +CO 2 ). For example, a CO shift reactor performing the shift reaction at 230° C. to 480° C. is preferable. Also, in the shift reaction, in order to prevent the deposition of carbon from carbon monoxide contained in the gas (2CO→C+CO 2 ), it is preferable to supply an excess amount of process steam (H 2 O) at an inlet of the shift reactor  3 . 
         [0037]    Also, as the CO shift reactor  3  used in the present invention, a sulfur-containing (sour) shift reactor using a catalyst based on Co/Mo or the like can be employed because the crude gas to be subjected to the shift reaction contains H 2 S of at least 100 ppm or more. In contrast, a catalyst based on Fe or the like is used for a shift reactor (sweet) used when the conventional chemical absorption process is employed, since the crude gas contains almost no H 2 S. Shift reaction catalysts containing sulfur, such as Co/Mo-based catalysts, are more active than shift reaction catalysts containing almost no sulfur, such as Fe-based catalysts. Accordingly, steam supplied to the crude gas from the outside can be reduced. 
         [0038]    Hereinbelow, detailed descriptions will be given of the H 2 S removal means  4  and the CO 2  removal means  5  with reference to  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  is a schematic plan view showing the configuration of the apparatus for separating acidic gases from syngas in one embodiment of the present invention, and specifically shows a part after the shift reactor. 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the apparatus for separating acidic gases from syngas of the present invention mainly comprises: a washing tower  303  for washing trace amounts of ammonia and hydrocarbons in crude gas after the shift reaction; an acidic gas absorption tower  101  for removing H 2 S in the crude gas by using a solvent; an acidic gas concentrating tower  104  for concentrating H 2 S absorbed in the solvent; an acidic gas stripping tower  106  for stripping H 2 S in the solvent; a solvent absorption tower  306  for removing the solvent contained in the purified gas exhausted from the acidic gas absorption tower  101 ; a CO 2  absorption tower  208  for removing CO 2  from gas having passed through the solvent absorption tower  306  by using a solvent; a high pressure flash drum  209  for stripping gases, such as H 2  and CO, absorbed in the solvent; a CO 2  stripping tower  210  for stripping CO 2  in the solvent; and a solvent regeneration tower  211  for regenerating the solvent used for the CO 2  absorption. The CO 2  stripping tower  210  and the solvent regeneration tower  211  are generally formed as an integrated tower. 
         [0040]    According to the embodiment of the present invention, crude gas having undergone the shift reaction in the shift reactor is cooled by heat exchangers  301   a  and  301   b,  and is introduced into a flash drum  302   a.  The crude gas exhausted from the shift reactor has a pressure of about 20 atm to 50 atm, and a temperature of about 270° C. to 450° C., and is cooled by the heat exchangers  301   a  and  301   b.  The temperature of the crude gas after being cooled by the heat exchanger  301   a  is preferably 125° C. to 135° C. The temperature of the crude gas after being cooled by the heat exchanger  301   b  is preferably 70° C. to 100° C. 
         [0041]    Also, since the crude gas exhausted from the shift reactor is humidified by steam, the flash drum  302   a  removes water in the crude gas cooled by the heat exchangers. The crude gas from which water has been removed by the flash drum  302   a  is next introduced into the washing tower  303 . 
         [0042]    The washing tower  303  removes trace amounts of ammonia and hydrocarbons in the crude gas. To the upper part of the washing tower  303 , piping for supplying make-up water as needed is connected. The make-up water is supplied into the washing tower  303  through the piping. Drain water is discharged from the bottom of the washing tower  303 , and the drain water is circulated by a pump  304   a  to the washing tower  303  through a cooler  305   a.  Alternatively, the drain water is not circulated but may be directly subjected to water treatment. The crude gas from which ammonia and hydrocarbons have been removed is exhausted from the top of the washing tower  303 , and introduced into the acidic gas absorption tower  101 . 
         [0043]    The acidic gas absorption tower  101  separates and removes acidic gases, particularly H 2 S, in the crude gas by a physical absorption process. A solvent is supplied into the acidic gas absorption tower  101 , and absorbs acidic gas in the crude gas. The crude gas from which acidic gases have been removed is exhausted from the top of the acidic gas absorption tower  101 , and is introduced into the solvent absorption tower  306 . The solvent after the acidic gas absorption is discharged from the bottom of the acidic gas absorption tower  101 , and is heated in a heat exchanger  103  by the solvent regenerated by the acidic gas stripping tower  106 . The solvent is then introduced into the acidic gas concentrating tower  104 . 
         [0044]    As the solvent used in the acidic gas absorption tower  101 , a solvent of physical absorption, such as a mixture solution of diethyl ether and a polyethylene glycols, can be used. Also, the temperature of the crude gas in the acidic gas absorption tower  101  is preferably 20° C. to 40° C. 
         [0045]    The acidic gas concentrating tower  104  strips, by flash, H 2 , CO, CO 2  or the like dissolved in the solvent. H 2 , CO, CO 2  or the like stripped in the acidic gas concentrating tower  104  can be introduced again into the acidic gas absorption tower  101  through a compressor  105   d.  The solvent is exhausted from the bottom of the acidic gas concentrating tower  104 , and is next introduced into the acidic gas stripping tower  106 . 
         [0046]    In the acidic gas stripping tower  106 , acidic gases, particularly H 2 S, dissolved in the solvent are stripped by being heated with a reboiler  109 . The stripped H 2 S is exhausted from the top of the acidic gas stripping tower  106 , passes through a condenser  107 , and is eventually exhausted as acidic gas. In the heat exchanger  103 , the solvent regenerated by the release of acidic gases heats the solvent from the acidic gas absorption tower  101 , and supplied, through a pump  102   f  and a cooler  110   d,  into the acidic gas absorption tower  101 , where the solvent is reused. 
         [0047]    In the condenser  107 , water contained in the acidic gas is condensed and removed. The condensed liquid is sent back to the acidic gas stripping tower  106  through a drum  108  and a pump  102   c.    
         [0048]    The solvent absorption tower  306  removes the solvent contained in crude gas exhausted from the acidic gas absorption tower  101 . In the solvent absorption tower  306 , the solvent is absorbed by water. This prevents the solvent of physical absorption used in the acidic gas absorption tower  101  from being mixed with a solvent of chemical absorption used in the CO 2  absorption tower  208  provided downstream. Drain water discharged from the bottom of the solvent absorption tower  306  is circulated back to the solvent absorption tower  306  through a pump  304   b.  Additionally, a small amount of feed water is supplied into the solvent absorption tower  306 . Also, the drain water can be sent to the acidic gas absorption tower  101  by the pump  304   b.  The crude gas exhausted from the solvent absorption tower  306  is heated by a heat exchanger  301   d,  and is introduced into the CO 2  absorption tower  208  through a flash drum  302   b.    
         [0049]    The heat exchanger  301   d  heats gas exhausted from the solvent absorption tower  306  by utilizing heat of the gas after the shift reaction, in order that the crude gas may have a water saturation temperature that is suitable for the chemical absorption in the CO 2  absorption tower  208 . In other words, the heat exchanger  301   b  and the heat exchanger  301   d  together represent a single heat exchanger. At this time, the crude gas heated by the heat exchanger  301   d  has preferably a pressure of 20 atm to 50 atm, and has preferably a temperature of 60° C. to 80° C., more preferably a temperature of 65° C. to 75° C., and most preferably of 70° C. 
         [0050]    As for conventional heat recovery from the gas cooled to 125° C. to 135° C. by the heat exchanger  301   a,  the heat is used to heat boiler feed water (BFW) or cooled by an air fin cooler and wasted in a case where the heat cannot be used for heating BFW. However, as described above, according to the present invention, the heat can be used to heat the crude gas exhausted from the solvent absorption tower  306 . 
         [0051]    Also, the heat exchanger may be provided at the position of the heat exchanger  301   c  in the water circulating line to the solvent absorption tower  306  so as to raise the temperature of circulating water. Also, the heat exchanger  301   d  and the heat exchanger  301   c  may both be provided. The crude gas heated by the heat exchanger is humidified by make-up water or the like. 
         [0052]    Into the CO 2  absorption tower  208 , the crude gas from which excess water has been removed in the flash drum  302   b  is introduced. The CO 2  absorption tower  208  removes CO 2  by the contact of the introduced crude gas with a solvent. Purified gas from which CO 2  has been removed in the CO 2  absorption tower  208  is exhausted from the top of the CO 2  absorption tower  208 . The solvent having absorbed CO 2  is discharged from the bottom of the CO 2  absorption tower  208 , and sent to the high pressure flash drum  209 . As the solvent used for the CO 2  absorption, a solvent for chemical absorption, such as an alkylamine, is preferable. Also, the crude gas in the CO 2  absorption tower  208  has preferably a pressure of 20 atm to 50 atm, and has preferably a tower top temperature of 40° C. to 60° C., which is suitable for CO 2  absorption, more preferably a temperature of 45° C. to 55° C., and most preferably of 50° C. 
         [0053]    The high pressure flash drum  209  strips, by flash, physically solved gases such as H 2  and CO dissolved in the solvent. The gases such as H 2  and CO are sent back to the CO 2  absorption tower  208  through a compressor  213 . The solvent from which the physically solved gases have been stripped is discharged from the bottom of the high pressure flash drum  209 , and sent to the CO 2  stripping tower  210 . 
         [0054]    The CO 2  stripping tower  210  flashes the solvent sent from the high pressure flash drum  209 , and releases CO 2  from the top of the CO 2  stripping tower  210 . The released CO 2  is exhausted through a condenser  205   b.  In the condenser  205   b,  water and the like contained in CO 2  are removed. The condensed liquid is sent back to the CO 2  stripping tower  210  through a drum  206   b  and a pump  202   c.    
         [0055]    Most of the solvent from which CO 2  has been stripped in the CO 2  stripping tower  210  is returned as a semi-lean solvent by a pump  202   d  to the CO 2  absorption tower  208 , and is reused. The rest of the solvent, after passing through a pump  202   e  and a heat exchanger  212   a,  is introduced into the solvent regeneration tower  211 . In the heat exchanger  212   a,  the solvent from the CO 2  stripping tower  210  is heated in heat exchange by the solvent discharged from the solvent regeneration tower  211 , and is completely regenerated in the solvent regeneration tower  211 . 
         [0056]    In the solvent regeneration tower  211 , the solvent and the absorbed gas are separated from each other by being heated by a reboiler  207   b  to regenerate the solvent. The gas stripped in the solvent regeneration tower  211  is sent to the CO 2  stripping tower  210  located thereabove. The solvent regenerated in the solvent regeneration tower  211  is discharged, as a lean solvent, from the bottom of the solvent regeneration tower  211 . The solvent, after being cooled by a heat exchanger  212   b,  is sent by a pump  202   f  to the CO 2  absorption tower  208 , and is reused. 
         [0057]    As described above, according to the present invention, since the crude gas is introduced into the CO shift reactor  3  before the H 2 S removal, highly active catalysts based on Co/Mo and the like can be used Accordingly, CO in the crude gas can be converted into CO 2  by the shift reaction using a small amount of steam. Thereafter, the crude gas is introduced into the H 2 S removal means  4 , where H 2 S in the crude gas is removed by the solvent of physical absorption. In this way, the acidic gas separation apparatus of the present invention is capable of separating and removing H 2 S by the solvent of physical absorption, thereby making it possible to reduce CO 2  accompanying the H 2 S removal. 
         [0058]    The crude gas after the H 2 S removal is introduced into the solvent absorption tower  306 , and the solvent of physical absorption contained in the crude gas is removed. This prevents the solvent of physical absorption from being mixed with the solvent of chemical absorption used in the CO 2  removal means  5  provided downstream of the solvent absorption tower  306 . The crude gas from which the solvent has been removed in the solvent absorption tower  306  is next heated by the heat exchanger  301   d,  and introduced into the CO 2  removal means  5 . As the heat required by the heat exchanger  301   d,  heat of the crude gas after the shift reaction, which is conventionally wasted, is used. In the CO 2  removal means  5 , CO 2  in the crude gas is separated and removed by the solvent of chemical absorption, and purified gas is exhausted. In this way, CO 2  removal from the crude gas is performed by chemical absorption, making it possible to eliminate the need for a chiller for cooling the solvent to a low temperature, and to reduce the compressor power to a large extent.