UOP LLC United States Paques Biological Systems BV Netherlands

UOP LLC (UNITED STATES)/PAQUES BIOLOGICAL SYSTEMS BV (NETHERLANDS) 

In the biotechnological arena, a process for removing H2S and mercaptans from a hydrocarbon stream, such as a LPG, was disclosed [171]. Sulfide oxidizing microorganisms, such as those from the genera Thiobacillus and Thiomicrospira, are employed to convert H2S to sulfur and mercaptans to disulfides. First a weakly basic stream, (e.g., a sodium bicarbonate solution) is used to extract the sulfur molecules from the hydrocarbon stream using an ordinary extraction column. The extracted sulfur molecules are then 

The disulfides formed in the reaction will float at the top of the aqueous solution, when the concentration is high, or will be dispersed as droplets throughout the solution. Finally, the sulfur and disulfides can be separated from the basic aqueous stream which can be recycled to the washing device. This hydrocarbon cycle treatment can be repeated until purification level reaches the point that it reaches specifications. The purified basic stream can be reused only if it contains less than 0.08 g/1 of elemental sulfur. 

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