Economical method for scavenging hydrogen sulfide in fluids

摘要

Method for removing hydrogen sulfide from fluids such as oil and gas well drilling, treatment, and production fluids and effluents from hydrocarbon operations and mineral mining operations. The sulfide scavenger used in the method is a gluconate salt other than ferrous gluconate. The gluconate salt is added to the fluid along with an iron source if iron is not already in the fluid. The gluconate reacts with the iron and forms iron gluconate in the fluid, which in turn reacts with the hydrogen sulfate to form iron sulfide which may be readily removed from the fluid.

主权项

1. A method of removing hydrogen sulfide from a fluid containing hydrogen sulfide, the method comprising:
adding a gluconate additive other than ferrous gluconate to the fluid, and adding a source of iron to the fluid where the fluid does not comprise iron or iron ions or where more iron is needed in sufficient quantity to react with the gluconate to form iron gluconate in the fluid; mixing the fluid such that the gluconate additive contacts the iron and forms iron gluconate in the fluid, wherein the fluid has a pH no lower than about 11 during the mixing; and allowing the iron gluconate in the fluid to react with the hydrogen sulfide in the fluid, forming iron sulfide, water and gluconic acid, such gluconic acid then being available to react with iron in the fluid to form iron gluconate.