Sorption and Desorption of a Minor Amount of H₂S on Silica Gel Covered with a Film of Triethanolamine

Sorption and desorption behavior of a minor amount of H₂S (190 ppm) contained in methane on a new kind of sorbent was experimentally studied by a dynamic method. The sorbent consists of a carrier (silica gel) and a stationary phase (the film of triethanolamine, TEA), which spreads outside the carrier granules. Breakthrough curves of H₂S passed over an adsorber filled with the sorbent were measured at ambient temperature and different pressures. It was shown that the TEA film considerably enhanced the H ₂S sorption capacity, and the capacity is quite sensitive to the total pressure of the gas phase; therefore, saturated sorbent can be regenerated merely by releasing pressure at ambient temperature. On the basis of the study, a new cost competitive technology of sweetening natural gas might be developed.