sour gas

…and some natural gases, called sour gas, that contain appreciable quantities of hydrogen sulfide. Certain metal sulfides, such as those of zinc and copper, are contained in the ores of those metals. When these ores are roasted, sulfur dioxide is given off. Sulfur is usually shipped in its elemental form…

…gas is known as “sour gas.” Sulfur compounds are removed in processing, as they are toxic when breathed, are corrosive to plant and pipeline facilities, and are serious pollutants if burned in products made from sour gas. However, after sulfur removal a minute quantity of a noxious mercaptan odorant…

Sour gas is sweetened, or purified of its sulfur compounds, by treatment with ethanolamine, a liquid absorbent that acts much like the glycol solution in dehydration. After bubbling through the liquid, the gas emerges almost entirely stripped of sulfur. The ethanolamine is processed for removal…