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Abstract

Oxidative and reductive methods are described for the cost-effective destruction of an ammonia-bearing gas stream, potentially containing minor but significant quantities of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), in a conventional Claus sulfur recovery tail gas treating unit, using controlled rates and compositions of combustion gases in order to obtain the temperatures necessary for the desired destruction of unwanted combustibles. In accordance with the present disclosure, a reductive method for the destruction of ammonia in a Claus tail gas treating unit is described, wherein the method includes introducing an ammonia-containing gas stream into a first combustion zone of a reactor in combination with a first oxygen-containing air stream to generate a first combustion gas stream composition; introducing a hydrocarbon-containing fuel gas stream and a second oxygen-containing air stream into a second combustion zone of the reactor to generate a second combustion gas stream composition; combining the first and second combustion gas stream compositions in a waste heat boiler to generate a waste effluent gas; contacting the waste effluent gas with a Claus tail gas stream to produce a primary waste stream; and contacting the primary waste stream with a hydrogenation catalyst system for a period of time sufficient to reduce NO_x in the primary waste stream to ammonia.

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First Claim