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 - 13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . A process for removing acid gas from a fluid stream, comprising the steps of:
 contacting the fluid stream with pellets comprising iron mineral, vermiculite and a starch, wherein the iron mineral comprises an iron oxide selected from the group consisting of Fe 2 O 3 , Fe 3 O 4  and combinations thereof, and wherein the iron oxide is present in particle sizes less than 75 microns so as to remove acid gas from the fluid stream and produce deactivated pellets;   regenerating the pellets; and   repeating said contacting step with regenerated pellets.   
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 14 , wherein the regenerating step comprises treating the deactivated pellets with hydrogen peroxide. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 14 , further comprising carrying out the contacting and regenerating steps at least three times with the same pellets. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 14 , wherein the composition further comprising starch. 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 14 , wherein the acid gas is selected from the group consisting of a gas stream, oil stream and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The process of  claim 14 , wherein the fluid stream is selected from the group consisting of a gas stream, oil stream and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 14 , wherein the iron oxide is non-hydrated iron oxide. 
     
     
         21 . The process of  claim 19 , wherein the non-hydrated iron oxide is selected from the group consisting of hematite, magnetite, maghemite and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The process of  claim 14 , wherein the vermiculite is present in an amount of 5% w/w and the starch is present in an amount of 5% w/w.