ENHANCEMENT OF ACID GAS ENRICHMENT PROCESS

摘要

An improved process for the removal and recovery of sulfur from a sour hydrocarbon stream is provided. The process includes contacting a sour hydrocarbon stream that includes hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide with a lean absorbent to produce a rich absorbent stream. The rich absorbent stream is separated and the recovered acid gas is contacted with a second absorbent to produce a second rich absorbent stream. A portion of the second rich absorbent is recycled to the separation step. A second portion of the second rich absorbent is separated to produce an acid gas product stream. Recycling a portion of the second rich absorbent to the first separation step shifts the equilibrium of the process, resulting in an acid gas product stream having an increased hydrogen sulfide carbon dioxide ratio.