A continuous process for the removal of hydrogen sulfide from a gaseous stream.

摘要

Hydrogen sulfide is removed from a gaseous stream by contacting said stream with an alkaline aqueous solution of ammonium hydroxide to produce ammonium sulfide. The ammonium sulfide is converted into an ammonium polysulfide intermediate in an electrolytic cell (10) at ambient temperature and pressure and said ammonium polysulfide is oxidized to sulfur in a heating zone (6) utilizing an oxygen-containing gas sparge. The pH of the alkaline aqueous ammonium hydroxide is maintained at at least pH 12 by recycling to the contact zone (4) ammonia and sulfur-free aqueous liquid from the heating zone (6) and catholyte from the electrolyte cell (10).