METHOD OF PROCESSING FEED STREAMS CONTAINING HYDROGEN SULFIDE

摘要

A method of processing feed streams high in hydrogen sulfide is provided. The method includes providing a feed gas stream that includes hydrogen sulfide and hydrocarbons. The feed gas stream has at least 5% by volume hydrogen sulfide. At least a portion of the feed gas stream is separated into a hydrogen sulfide stream and a hydrocarbon stream. The hydrogen sulfide stream includes more hydrogen sulfide, by volume percent, than the feed stream; and the hydrocarbon stream contains less hydrogen sulfide, by volume percent, than the feed gas stream. The hydrocarbon gas stream is processed to produce natural gas. At least 34 mol.% of the hydrogen sulfide in the hydrogen sulfide stream is combusted with an oxidant containing molecular oxygen to generate thermal power. The molar ratio of molecular oxygen to hydrogen sulfide in the hydrogen sulfide stream and oxidant that are combusted is at least 1.4:1. Thermal power generated by the combustion is utilized in one or more of the steps of separating the feed gas stream into the hydrogen sulfide stream and the hydrocarbon gas stream, and processing the hydrocarbon gas stream to produce natural gas, compressed natural gas, or liquefied natural gas.