Reactor, a retained catalyst structure, and a method for improving decomposition of polysulfides and removal of hydrogen sulfide in liquid sulfur

1. A reactor, comprising:

a first inlet for a first stream including liquid sulfur containing polysulfides and dissolved hydrogen sulfide;

a second inlet for a second stream of an inert gas or a low oxygen containing gas;

a retained catalyst structure arranged and disposed to facilitate contact between the first stream, the second stream, and the retained catalyst structure;

the retained catalyst structure having a catalyst material affixed, coated, trapped, or supported such that movement of the catalyst is limited; and

wherein the amount of catalyst is sufficient to increase the rate of decomposition of the polysulfides and facilitate removal of hydrogen sulfide produced by decomposing polysulfides and hydrogen sulfide present in the liquid sulfur of the first stream with the second stream, thereby decreasing total polysulfides and hydrogen sulfide content in the liquid sulfur to less than 5 ppmw.

2. The reactor of claim 1 , wherein the retained catalyst structure is positioned between the first inlet and the second inlet.

3. The reactor of claim 1 , wherein the second inlet includes apertures corresponding in size to flow openings in the retained catalyst structure.

4. The reactor of claim 1 , wherein flow of the first stream through the first inlet is controlled to provide a preselected residence time in the reactor, to achieve a desired level of polysulfides removal from the first stream, and to achieve a desired level of hydrogen sulfide gas removal from the first stream.

5. The reactor of claim 1 , wherein the retained catalyst structure is a catalyst coated on a structured packing.

6. The reactor of claim 1 , wherein the retained catalyst structure is a catalyst formed into a structured packing.

7. The reactor of claim 1 , wherein the retained catalyst structure is a catalyst secured by a structured packing.

8. The reactor of claim 1 , wherein the retained catalyst structure includes a catalyst selected from the group consisting of bauxite, titania, alumina, a mixture of silica with thermally stable alumina, a mixture of silica, and titania, and combinations thereof.

9. The reactor of claim 8 , wherein the retained catalyst structure is promoted with iron oxide or alkaline metal oxide.

10. A structured packing for contacting a first stream and a second stream in a reactor, the structured packing comprising:

a retained catalyst structure;

the retained catalyst structure having a catalyst material affixed, coated, trapped, or supported such that movement of the catalyst is limited and whereby the retained catalyst structure increases the rate of decomposition of the polysulfides and facilitates the removal of hydrogen sulfide produced by decomposing polysulfides and hydrogen sulfide present in the liquid sulfur of the first stream with the second stream, thereby decreasing total polysulfides and hydrogen sulfide content in the liquid sulfur to less than 5 ppmw;

wherein the first stream includes liquid sulfur containing polysulfides and dissolved hydrogen sulfide, and

wherein the second stream includes an inert gas or a low oxygen-containing gas.

11. The structured packing of claim 10 , wherein the retained catalyst structure includes a flow opening corresponding in size to an opening in the second inlet.

12. The structured packing of claim 10 , wherein the retained catalyst structure is a catalyst coated on a structured packing.

13. The structured packing of claim 10 , wherein the retained catalyst structure is a catalyst formed into a structured packing.

14. The structured packing of claim 10 , wherein the retained catalyst structure is a catalyst secured by a structured packing.

15. The structured packing of claim 10 , wherein the retained catalyst structure includes a catalyst selected from the group consisting of bauxite, titania, alumina, a mixture of silica with thermally stable alumina, a mixture of silica and titania, and combinations thereof.

16. The structured packing of claim 15 , wherein the catalyst is promoted with iron oxide or alkaline metal oxide.

17. A method of treating hydrogen sulfide and polysulfides in liquid sulfur, the method comprising:

providing a first stream including liquid sulfur containing polysulfides and hydrogen sulfide;

providing a second stream of an inert gas or a low oxygen-containing gas; and

in a retained catalyst structure, contacting the first stream and the second stream, the retained catalyst structure having a catalyst material affixed, coated, trapped, or supported such that movement of the catalyst is limited; and

wherein the catalyst is sufficient to increase the rate of decomposition of polysulfides to hydrogen sulfide and facilitate the removal of hydrogen sulfide thus produced and hydrogen sulfide present in the liquid sulfur of the first stream with the second stream, thereby decreasing total polysulfides and hydrogen sulfide content in the liquid sulfur to less than 5 ppmw.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the second inlet includes an opening corresponding in size to a flow opening in the retained catalyst structure.

19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising adjusting flow of the first stream through the first inlet to provide a preselected residence time in the reactor, to achieve a desired level of polysulfides removal from the first stream, and to achieve a desired level of hydrogen sulfide gas removal from the first stream.

20. The method of claim 17 , wherein the retained catalyst structure is a catalyst coated on a structured packing.

21. The method of claim 17 , wherein the retained catalyst structure is a catalyst formed into a structured packing.

22. The method of claim 17 , wherein the retained catalyst structure is a catalyst secured by a structured packing.

23. The method of claim 17 wherein the second stream contacts a distributor.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein the distributor comprises a metal sparger diffuser.