Method for separating sulphur out of a gas that contains sulphur

Abstract

A method is described for separating sulphur out of a sulphur-containing gas, particularly hydrogen or natural gas, wherein the gas is compressed and the sulphur is removed in an absorptive separation process. According to the invention, the sulphur-containing gas is compressed, or at least precompressed before being passed into the absorptive separation process.

1 . A method for separating sulphur out of a gas that contains sulphur, particularly hydrogen or natural gas, wherein the gas is compressed and the sulphur is removed via an absorptive separation process, characterized in that the sulphur-containing gas is compressed, or at least precompressed before it is introduced into the absorptive separation process. 
   
   
       2 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , characterized in that the sulphur-containing gas is compressed before its introduction into the absorptive separation process to at least such a degree that the compression heat generated thereby enables the absorber material or materials used in the absorptive separation process to be heated to the requisite temperature. 
   
   
       3 . The method as recited in  claim 1 t characterized in that the sulphur-containing gas that is introduced into the absorptive separation process is at a temperature between 20 and 200° C. 
   
   
       4 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , characterized in that the sulphur-containing gas that is introduced into the absorptive separation process is at a temperature preferably between 40 and 100° C. 
   
   
       5 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , characterized in that the gas that is extracted from the absorptive separation process undergoes postcompression. 
   
   
       6 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , characterized in that at least a partial stream of the sulphur-containing gas is diverted around the absorptive separation process, the quantity of this partial stream preferably being variable. 
   
   
       7 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , characterized in that the sulphur-containing gas that is introduced into the absorptive separation process is cooled after it has been (pre)compressed. 
   
   
       8 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , characterized in that the absorptive separation process is designed such that besides sulphur at least one additional component is at least partially separated from the sulphur-containing gas. 
   
   
       9 . The method as recited in  claim 1 , characterized in that the gas from which sulphur has been removed is delivered to a vehicle for use as a power source and/or fuel.