Computer Aided Chemical Engineering

Due to their massive production, H2S and CO2 are two critical pollutants. H2S is toxic and CO2 is responsible for impacts on ecological and environmental system. The aim of this work is to propose and demonstrate the revamping industrial feasibility of an innovative and sustainable process that improves the production of syngas compared to the traditional Claus process and, at the same time, reduces the hydrogen sulfide (H2S) and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. This is the new and established technology called AG2S™ (Acid Gas to Syngas). H2S and CO2 are converted into a regenerative thermal reactor according to the following overall reaction: 2H2S + CO2 → H2 + CO + S2 + H2O. Coupling two different software, i.e. Aspen HYSYS and MATLAB®, a complete plant model, able to manage the recycle of unconverted acid gases has been developed. Simulations of the standard Claus plant, as it currently works, and of revamped Claus process are compared, choosing some critical parameters (e.g. furnace temperature or Sulfur Recovery efficiency). The importance of introduced innovations is highlighted, both at technical and environmental level. An important result is that the nominal flow rate of two plants it is almost the same allowing an easier revamping. The main conclusion is that modified Claus plant definitely leads to improvements from environmental and technical point of view.