The invention relates to a method for the desulfurization of methane-containing gases by bamboo-based activated carbon. The method according to the invention is particularly suitable for the desulfurization of methane-containing gases such as biogas, landfill gas, mine gas, flue gas, marsh gas or natural gas with a view to further use of the gas or the sulfur extracted.

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a sulfur trap comprising an inlet, a first chamber, a divider, a second chamber, an outlet, and a float assembly. The float assembly may have many different configurations, but generally comprises a float and plug, is configured to float within liquid sulfur, and is operatively coupled to a seal seat in the divider for sealing and unsealing the first chamber from the second chamber. Generally, only liquid sulfur is allowed to pass from the first chamber into the second chamber. However, the sulfur trap may be configured to allow for pressure relief, such that during an overpressure event the plug and seal seat disengage and allow the liquid-gas mixture to flow into the second chamber to prevent damage within the system. In some embodiments a filter and/or the flow of liquid sulfur is directed to collect debris from the liquid sulfur.

Ancillary embodiments and modifications to a homogenizer unit (PPH), and methods of use directed to purification of biogas or other raw methane streams. The apparatus includes a homogenizer body, one or more stream inlets (for the raw methane), one or more chilled water inlets, a mixing zone where the water stream is commingled with the raw methane stream, and a venturi immediately downstream from the mixing zone such that the commingled streams are pulled into the venturi resulting in homogenization. The PPH components are insulated to maintain the chilled water of the various streams at a cooled, below ambient temperature, increasing dissolution of the contaminant gases into the chilled water, and producing a purified methane stream including little or no H.sub.2S and CO.sub.2.

An embodiment described herein provides a method of treating a gas stream, where the method includes: flowing the gas stream containing H.sub.2S and CO.sub.2 into a plasma reactor; igniting a plasma in the plasma reactor containing the gas stream; decomposing the H.sub.2S to generate H.sub.2 and elemental sulfur in the plasma generating a product gas stream; condensing the elemental sulfur from the product gas stream as a liquid; and separating the H.sub.2 from the product gas stream.

A method of treating an aqueous solution, where the method includes separating H.sub.2S from the aqueous solution, generating a gas stream including the H.sub.2S, flowing the gas stream into a plasma reactor, igniting a plasma in the plasma reactor including the gas stream, decomposing the H.sub.2S to generate H.sub.2 and elemental sulfur in the plasma generating a product gas stream including the H.sub.2, and condensing the elemental sulfur from the product gas stream as a liquid.