摘要 |
Iron rich dusts created during steelmaking, as in the basic oxygen and open hearth processes, are useful for scavenging hydrogen sulfide. For example, basic oxygen furnace dusts, which are in more abundant supply, are found to consist of fine, nearly spherical particles of iron oxide whose crystalline composition comprises Fe3O4 (major portion) and Fe2O3 (minor portion) as seen by X-ray diffraction. Their great surface area makes them highly reactive to hydrogen sulfide gas. Their reaction yields unexpected products, namely, free sulfur and iron hydroxides. According to the present invention such iron rich dusts are used in water slurries through which sour hydrocarbon gas is bubbled, and in water based drilling muds to scavenge hydrogen sulfide encountered in well drilling.
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