Sulfur absorbents

Abstract

A composition and method of making a strength enhanced composition are described. The composition comprises zinc oxide, silica and colloidal oxide solution. The colloidal oxide solution is utilized as a binding agent to provide a strength enhanced absorbent composition that can be utilized in an absorption process for the purpose of removing sulfur contaminants from fluid streams.

That which is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A composition comprising: 
 zinc oxide, silica, and colloidal oxide solution.    
     
     
         2 . A composition as recited in  claim 1  wherein said colloidal oxide solution comprises finely divided, colloidal-size particles of a metal oxide compound that is uniformly dispersed in a liquid medium.  
     
     
         3 . A composition as recited in  claim 2  wherein the ratio of zinc oxide to silica is in the range of from about 0.25:1 to about 4:1 and wherein the amount of colloidal oxide solution present in said composition is such that the metal oxide compound content of said composition is in the range of from an amount effective for providing an agglomerate of said composition having a crush strength at least about 3 lb f  to about 30 weight percent of the total weight of said composition.  
     
     
         4 . A composition as recited in  claim 3  wherein said finely divided, colloidal-size particles have a medium particle size in the range of from about 50 angstroms to about 10,000 angstroms and wherein said liquid medium comprises water and wherein the concentration of said finely divided, colloidal-size particles in said colloidal oxide solution is in the range of from about 1 weight percent to about 30 weight percent.  
     
     
         5 . A composition as recited in  claim 4  wherein said metal oxide compound is selected from the group consisting of alumina, silica, titania, zirconia, tin oxide, antimony oxide, cesium oxide, yttrium oxide, copper oxide, iron oxide, manganese oxide, molybdenum oxide, tungsten oxide, chromium oxide and mixtures of any two or more thereof.  
     
     
         6 . A composition as recited in  claim 5  wherein said composition is in the form of a dried agglomerate.  
     
     
         7 . A composition as recited in  claim 6  wherein said composition is in the form of a calcined agglomerate.  
     
     
         8 . A composition as recited in  claim 7  further comprising a group VIII metal oxide promoter.  
     
     
         9 . A composition as recited in  claim 8  wherein said group VIII metal oxide promoter is present in said composition in the range of from about 0.1 weight percent to about 15 weight percent.  
     
     
         10 . A composition as recited in  claim 9  wherein said group VIII metal oxide promoter is nickel oxide.  
     
     
         11 . A composition as recited in  claim 10  wherein the crush strength of said composition is at least about 5 lb f .  
     
     
         12 . An absorption composition comprising a mixture consisting essentially of zinc oxide, silica, and colloidal oxide solution, said mixture having been dried to remove the liquid medium of said colloidal oxide solution thereby forming a dried mixture having a crush strength of at least 3 lb f  and a sulfur loading capacity of at least about 11 weight percent.  
     
     
         13 . An absorption composition as recited in  claim 12  wherein said colloidal oxide solution comprises finely divided, colloidal-size particles of a metal oxide compound selected from the group consisting of alumina, silica, titania, zirconia, tin oxide, antimony oxide, cesium oxide, yttrium oxide, copper oxide, iron oxide, manganese oxide, molybdenum oxide, tungsten oxide, chromium oxide and mixtures of any two or more thereof having a medium particle size in the range of from about 50 angstroms to about 10,000 angstroms uniformly dispersed in an aqueous solvent.  
     
     
         14 . An absorption composition as recited in  claim 13  wherein the ratio of zinc oxide to silica in said mixture is in the range of from about 0.25:1 to about 4:1 and wherein the amount of said metal oxide compound present in said dried mixture is present in the range of from about 1 weight percent to about 30 weight percent of the total weight of said dried mixture.  
     
     
         15 . An absorption composition as recited in  claim 14  wherein said dried mixture further consists essentially of a group VIII metal oxide promoter which is present in said dried mixture in the range of from about 0.1 weight percent to about 15 weight percent.  
     
     
         16 . An absorption composition as recited in  claim 15  wherein said group VIII metal oxide promoter is nickel oxide and wherein said dried mixture is further calcined to produce a promoted calcined mixture having a crush strength of at least about 5 lb f .  
     
     
         17 . A method for preparing a high crush strength absorption composition comprising the step of: 
 spraying a colloidal oxide solution onto a homogeneous mixture comprising zinc oxide and silica during tumbling agglomeration to form an agglomerate.    
     
     
         18 . A method as recited in  claim 17  wherein the ratio of zinc oxide to silica in said homogeneous mixture is in the range of from about 0.25:1 to about 4:1.  
     
     
         19 . A method as recited in  claim 18  wherein said colloidal oxide solution comprises finely divided, colloidal-size particles of a metal oxide compound that is uniformly dispersed in a liquid medium.  
     
     
         20 . A method as recited in  claim 19  wherein said finely divided, colloidal-size particles have a medium particle size in the range of from about 50 angstroms to about 10,000 angstroms and wherein said liquid medium comprises water and wherein the concentration of said finely divided, colloidal-size particles in said colloidal oxide solution is in the range of from about 1 weight percent to about 30 weight percent.  
     
     
         21 . A method as recited in  claim 20  wherein the amount of said colloidal oxide solution utilized in said spraying step is such to provide said agglomerate with a content of said metal oxide compound of from an amount effective for providing said agglomerate having a crush strength at least about 3 lb f  to about 30 weight percent of the total weight of said agglomerate.  
     
     
         22 . A method for preparing a high crush strength absorption composition comprising: 
 agglomerating a homogeneous powder mixture comprising zinc oxide and silica by spraying a colloidal oxide solution upon said homogeneous powder mixture while tumbling said homogeneous powder mixture within a inclined rotating disk having a rim to form an agglomerate substantially in the shape of a sphere.    
     
     
         23 . A method as recited in  claim 22  further comprising: 
 drying said agglomerate to form a dried agglomerate.  
 
     
     
         24 . A method as recited in  claim 23  further comprising: 
 calcining said dried agglomerate to form a calcined agglomerate having a crush strength of at least about 3 lb f .  
 
     
     
         25 . A method as recited in  claim 24  wherein the ratio of zinc oxide to silica in said homogeneous powder mixture is in the range of from about 0.25:1 to about 4:1 and wherein the amount of colloidal oxide mixture utilized is such to provide said calcined agglomerate with a metal oxide compound content in the range of from about 0.1 weight percent to about 30 weight percent of the total weight of said calcined agglomerate.  
     
     
         26 . A method as recited in  claim 25  further comprising: 
 adding a Group VIII metal oxide promoter to said dried agglomerate in an amount such as to give a metal oxide compound content in said dried agglomerate in the range of from about 1 weight percent to about 30 5 weight percent to give a promoted agglomerate.  
 
     
     
         27 . A method as recited in  claim 26  further comprising: 
 calcining said promoted agglomerate to give a promoted calcined agglomerate having a crush strength of at least 5 lb f .  
 
     
     
         28 . A method for preparing a high crush strength absorption composition comprising the steps of: 
 (a) mixing zinc oxide and silica with water to form a mixture;    (b) drying said mixture to form a dried mixture;    (c) milling said dried mixture to form a powder;    (d) spraying said powder with a colloidal oxide solution during tumbling agglomeration to form an agglomerate;    (e) drying said agglomerate to form a dried agglomerate; and    (f) calcining said dried agglomerate to form a calcined to agglomerate.    
     
     
         29 . A method as recited in  claim 28  wherein said agglomerate or calcined agglomerate, or both, is substantially in the shape of a sphere.  
     
     
         30 . A method as recited in  claim 29  wherein said calcined agglomerate has a crush strength of at least about 3 lbs.  
     
     
         31 . A method as recited in  claim 30  wherein said colloidal oxide solution comprises finely divided, colloidal-size particles of a metal oxide compound selected from the group consisting of alumina, silica, titania, zirconia, tin oxide, antimony oxide, cesium oxide, yttrium oxide, copper oxide, iron oxide, manganese oxide, molybdenum oxide, tungsten oxide, chromium oxide and mixtures of any two or more thereof that is uniformly dispersed in a liquid medium.  
     
     
         32 . A method as recited in  claim 31  wherein said finely divided, colloidal-size particles have a medium particle size in the range of from about 50 angstroms to about 10,000 angstroms and wherein said liquid medium is water and wherein the concentration of said finely divided, colloidal-size particles in said colloidal oxide solution is in the range of from about 1 weight percent to about 30 weight percent.  
     
     
         33 . A method as recited in  claim 32  wherein the ratio of zinc oxide to silica utilized in mixing step (a) is in the range of from about 0.25:1 to about 4:1.  
     
     
         34 . A method as recited in  claim 33  wherein the amount of colloidal oxide solution utilized in spraying step (d) is such to provide said calcined agglomerate of step (f) or said dried agglomerate of step (e) with a metal oxide compound content in the range of from about 0.1 weight percent to about 30 weight percent of the total weight of either said dried agglomerate or said calcined agglomerate.  
     
     
         35 . A method as recited in  claim 34  wherein the spraying step (d) utilizes an amount of said colloidal oxide solution that is effective in producing said calcined agglomerate of step (f) having a crush strength of at least about 3 lbs.  
     
     
         36 . A product prepared by the method of  claim 17 .  
     
     
         37 . A product prepared by the method of  claim 18 .  
     
     
         38 . A product prepared by the method of  claim 19 .  
     
     
         39 . A product prepared by the method of  claim 20 .  
     
     
         40 . A product prepared by the method of  claim 21 .  
     
     
         41 . A product prepared by the method of  claim 22 .  
     
     
         42 . A product prepared by the method of  claim 23 .  
     
     
         43 . A product prepared by the method of  claim 24 .  
     
     
         44 . A product prepared by the method of  claim 25 .  
     
     
         45 . A product prepared by the method of  claim 26 .  
     
     
         46 . A product prepared by the method of  claim 27 .  
     
     
         47 . A product prepared by the method of  claim 28 .  
     
     
         48 . A product prepared by the method of  claim 29 .  
     
     
         49 . A product prepared by the method of  claim 30 .  
     
     
         50 . A product prepared by the method of  claim 31 .  
     
     
         51 . A product prepared by the method of  claim 32 .  
     
     
         52 . A product prepared by the method of  claim 33 .  
     
     
         53 . A product prepared by the method of  claim 34 .  
     
     
         54 . A product prepared by the method of  claim 35 .  
     
     
         55 . A process for absorbing hydrogen sulfide from a fluid stream, said process comprising: 
 (a) mixing zinc oxide and silica to provide a dry homogeneous mixture;    (b) providing said dry homogeneous mixture within a pan of a tumbling agglomerator;    (c) spraying a colloidal oxide solution, wherein said colloidal oxide solution comprises particles of a metal oxide compound dispersed in a liquid medium said metal oxide compound comprises colloidal-size particles having a median particle size in a range from about 50 angstroms to about 10,000 angstroms upon said dry homogeneous mixture while rotating said pan to thereby form pellets;    (d) drying said pellets to provide dried pellets; and    (e) contacting said dried pellets with a fluid stream containing hydrogen sulfide under conditions suitable for absorbing hydrogen sulfide.    
     
     
         56 . A process for absorbing hydrogen sulfide from a fluid stream, said process comprising: 
 (a) mixing zinc oxide and silica to provide a dry homogeneous mixture;    (b) providing said dry homogeneous mixture within a pan of a tumbling agglomerator;    (c) spraying a colloidal oxide solution, wherein said colloidal oxide solution comprises particles of a metal oxide compound dispersed in a liquid medium said metal oxide compound comprises colloidal-size particles having a median particle size in a range from about 50 angstroms to about 10,000 angstroms upon said dry homogeneous mixture while rotating said pan to thereby form pellets;    (d) calcining said dried pellets to provide calcined pellets; and    (e) contacting said calcined pellets with a fluid stream containing hydrogen sulfide under conditions suitable for absorbing hydrogen sulfide.    
     
     
         57 . A process as recited in  claim 55  wherein the ratio of zinc oxide to silica in said dry homogeneous mixture is in the range of from about 0.25:1 to about 4:1 and wherein the amount of colloidal oxide present in said pellets is such that the metal oxide content of said pellets is in the range of from an amount effective for providing said dried pellets with a crush strength of at least about 3 lb f  to about 30 weight percent.  
     
     
         58 . A process as recited in  claim 56  wherein the ratio of zinc oxide to silica in said dry homogeneous mixture is in the range of from about 0.25:1 to about 4:1 and wherein the amount of colloidal oxide present in said pellets is such that the metal oxide content of said pellets is in the range of from an amount effective for providing said calcined pellets with a crush strength of at least about 3 lb f  to about 30 weight percent.  
     
     
         59 . A process as recited in  claim 55  wherein said colloidal-size particles in said colloidal oxide solution are in the range of from about 1 weight percent to about 30 weight percent.  
     
     
         60 . A process as recited in  claim 56  wherein said colloidal-size particles in said colloidal oxide solution are in the range of from about 1 weight percent to about 30 weight percent.  
     
     
         61 . A process as recited in  claim 59  wherein said metal oxide compound is selected from the group consisting of alumina, silica, titania, zirconia, tin oxide, antimony oxide, cesium oxide, yttrium oxide, copper oxide, iron oxide, manganese oxide, molybdenum oxide, tungsten oxide, chromium oxide and mixtures of any two or more thereof.  
     
     
         62 . A process as recited in  claim 60  wherein said metal oxide compound is selected from the group consisting of alumina, silica, titania, zirconia, tin oxide, antimony oxide, cesium oxide, yttrium oxide, copper oxide, iron oxide, manganese oxide, molybdenum oxide, tungsten oxide, chromium oxide and mixtures of any two or more thereof.  
     
     
         63 . A process as recited in  claim 61  wherein said dried pellets further comprise a Group VIII metal oxide.  
     
     
         64 . A process as recited in  claim 62  wherein said calcined pellets further comprise a Group VIII metal oxide.  
     
     
         65 . A process as recited in  claim 63  wherein said Group VIII metal oxide is present in said dried pellets in the range of from about 0.1 weight percent to about 15 weight percent.  
     
     
         66 . A process as recited in  claim 64  wherein said Group VIII metal oxide is present in said calcined pellets in the range of from about 0.1 weight percent to about 15 weight percent.  
     
     
         67 . A process as recited in  claim 65  wherein said Group VIII metal oxide is nickel oxide.  
     
     
         68 . A process as recited in  claim 66  wherein said Group VIII metal oxide is nickel oxide.  
     
     
         69 . A process as recited in  claim 67  wherein the crush strength of said dried pellets is at least about 5 lb f .  
     
     
         70 . A process as recited in  claim 68  wherein the crush strength of said calcined pellets is at least about 5 lb f .