Use of iron ore agglomerates for acid gas removal

Abstract

A regenerable sorbent for the removal of acid gas from a fluid stream. The regenerable sorbent is made from raw materials such as iron mineral, expansive clay and starch. Acid gas is removed from the fluid stream by a process where the raw materials are obtained, crushed, sifted, possibly pelletized, calcined and contacted with the fluid stream containing the acid gas.

1 . A composition for the removal of acid gas from a fluid stream, comprising: an iron mineral; an expansive clay comprising vermiculite; and, a starch, wherein the iron mineral comprises an iron oxide. 
     
     
         2 . The composition for the removal of acid gas from a fluid stream of  claim 1 , wherein the expansive clay is further selected from the group consisting of Bentonite, montmorillonite, blends of chlorite, kaolinite and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The composition for the removal of acid gas from a fluid stream of  claim 1 , wherein the acid gas is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen sulfide, sulphide carbonyl, mercaptans and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The composition for the removal of acid gas from a fluid stream of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid stream is selected from the group consisting of a gas stream, an oil stream and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The composition for the removal of acid gas from a fluid stream of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is pelletized. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . The composition for the removal of acid gas from a fluid stream of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is renewable. 
     
     
         8 . A process for the removal of acid gas from a fluid stream, comprising the steps of:
 crushing a composition comprising vermiculite and an iron mineral;   sifting the crushed vermiculite and iron mineral composition;   calcinating the crushed vermiculite and iron mineral composition; and,   contacting the calcined vermiculite and iron mineral composition with the fluid stream.   
     
     
         9 . The process for the removal of acid gas from a fluid stream of  claim 8 , further comprising the step of pelletizing the sifted vermiculite and iron mineral composition after the sifting step and before the calcinating step. 
     
     
         10 . The process for the removal of acid gas from a fluid stream of  claim 8 , wherein the composition further comprises starch. 
     
     
         11 . The process for the removal of acid gas from a fluid stream of  claim 8 , wherein the acid gas is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen sulfide, sulphide carbonyl, mercaptans and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The process for the removal of acid gas from a fluid stream of  claim 8 , wherein the fluid stream is selected from the group consisting of a gas stream, oil stream and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         13 . The process for the removal of acid gas from a fluid stream of  claim 9 , further comprising the steps of:
 treating the fluid stream contacted calcined vermiculite and iron mineral composition with hydrogen peroxide; and,   re-contacting the treated calcined vermiculite and iron mineral composition with the fluid stream.   
     
     
         14 . A composition for the removal of acid gas from a fluid stream, consisting essentially of: an iron mineral consisting essentially of an iron oxide; an expansive clay consisting essentially of vermiculite; and, a starch.