Våtavsvavling

Våtavsvavling, also known as wet desulfurization, is a process used to remove sulfur compounds, primarily hydrogen sulfide (H2S), from various gas streams. This method is commonly employed in industries such as oil refining, natural gas processing, and power generation to reduce air pollution and prevent equipment corrosion. The core principle of wet desulfurization involves bringing the sulfur-containing gas into contact with a liquid absorbent.

Several types of liquid absorbents can be used, with aqueous solutions of amines and alkaline chemicals being the most prevalent. In a typical process, the sour gas (containing H2S) is bubbled through or sprayed with the absorbent solution in an absorption tower. The H2S chemically reacts with the absorbent and is removed from the gas stream. The sweetened gas, now with significantly reduced sulfur content, is then released or further processed.

The sulfur-laden absorbent is then sent to a regeneration unit. Here, heat and pressure are applied to reverse the chemical reaction, releasing the concentrated H2S. This concentrated H2S can then be processed further, often in a Claus unit, to recover elemental sulfur, a valuable byproduct. The regenerated absorbent is then recycled back to the absorption tower, making the process continuous and efficient. Different variations of wet desulfurization exist, differing in the specific absorbent used and the design of the absorption and regeneration equipment.