METHOD OF MITIGATING HYDROGEN SULFIDE OR MERCAPTAN CONTAMINATION WITH AN ENZYME BASED SCAVENGER
Hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans may be catalytically removed from a fluid stream by introducing to the fluid stream a sulfide quinone reductase (SQR) enzyme.
1 . A method of scavenging hydrogen sulfide and/or mercaptans from a liquid or gaseous stream which comprises bringing the stream into contact with a catalytically effective amount of a sulfide quinone reductase enzyme.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the nucleotide sequence encoding the sulfide quinone reductase enzyme is derived from Acidithobacillus ferroxidans.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the sulfide quinone reductase enzyme has the amino acid sequence set forth in FIG. 1 .
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid or gaseous stream is sour well water.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid or gaseous stream is sea water or brine.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid or gaseous stream has a pH between from about 5.5 to about 7.5.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the sulfide quinone reductase enzyme is effective at a temperature up to about 205° F.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid or gaseous stream is within a hydrocarbon producing reservoir.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid or gaseous stream is within an unrefined or refined hydrocarbon product derived from petroleum or from the liquefaction of coal.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the liquid or gaseous stream is a wet or dry gaseous mixture or hydrocarbon vapors.
11 . A method of scavenging hydrogen sulfide and/or mercaptans from a liquid or gaseous stream which comprises:
(a) contacting the liquid or gaseous stream with a sulfide quinone reductase enzyme; and
(b) Oxidizing hydrogen sulfide and/or mercaptans to a sulfur containing oxidation product.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the liquid or gaseous stream is within a hydrocarbon producing reservoir.
13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the liquid or gaseous stream is within a storage vessel.
14 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the liquid or gaseous stream is an unrefined or refined hydrocarbon product derived from petroleum or from the liquefaction of coal.
15 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the nucleotide sequence encoding the sulfide quinone reductase enzyme is derived from Acidithobacillus ferroxidans.
16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the sulfide quinone reductase enzyme has the amino acid sequence set forth in FIG. 1 .
17 . A method for catalytically mitigating hydrogen sulfide or mercaptans or both hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans from an aqueous or gaseous stream in a hydrocarbon producing reservoir comprising pumping into the reservoir a catalytically effective amount of a sulfide quinone reductase enzyme.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the sulfide quinone reductase enzyme inhibits the formation of hydrogen sulfide, mercaptans or a combination of hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans.
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the sulfide quinone reductase enzyme removes hydrogen sulfide, mercaptans or a combination of hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans from the liquid or gaseous stream within the reservoir.
20 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the sulfide quinone reductase enzyme has the amino acid sequence set forth in FIG. 1 .