A sulfur trap provides separation of elemental molten sulfur from a process stream comprising a mixture of sulfur and associated tail-gases. The sulfur trap comprises a vertically-oriented cylindrical wall having a chamber for receiving the process stream, a float positioned in the chamber, the float attached to a float end of a lever, a nozzle insert attached to the distal end of the lever, and a lever fulcrum positioned intermediate the lever float end and the lever nozzle insert end. The float, lever, nozzle insert and outlet are constructed to allow the float position to control nozzle insert engagement of the outlet, particularly to close the outlet when the float is elevated by molten sulfur and to disengage from the outlet to allow discharge flow of liquid sulfur at a determined level of sulfur within the chamber. Embodiments of a method of separating liquid sulfur from gases are also provided.

Provided are a preparation method for insoluble sulfur and an anti-reversion stabilizer used thereby. Methane is used as the anti-reversion stabilizer. The methane is added to liquid sulfur at sulfur gasification stage, and is cracked into active free radicals under the action of sulfur vapor active free radicals; in the quenching process of sulfur vapor mixed with methane, the active free radicals generated by methane cracking carry out end capping on insoluble sulfur end groups generated by sulfur vapor polymerization, thus completing insoluble sulfur stabilization. The methane is added at liquid sulfur gasification stage, and after sulfur gasification, the methane is mixed with sulfur vapor in a gaseous form, rather than being added to the product in a solid or liquid manner at a later stage, so that the insoluble sulfur and the stabilizer can be uniformly contacted and mixed to the greatest extent.

This application relates to nanostructured materials having selectively permeable structures that separate a liquid phase contained within the nanostructure from a volume outside of the nanostructure, and methods of making same. Such materials may be used as electrode materials for secondary batteries or other energy storage devices.

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.

A vulcanizing composition useful for the vulcanization of vulcanizable formulations is disclosed. The vulcanizing composition includes a vulcanizing agent which in turn includes a cyclododecasulfur compound. A cyclododecasulfur compound characterized by a DSC melt point onset of between 155° C. and 167° C. when measured at a DSC heat rate of 20° C./minute is also disclosed.

Processes for forming a vulcanizable elastomeric formulation are disclosed. The processes include the steps of mixing an elastomer with a vulcanizing agent to form a vulcanizable elastomeric formulation that includes the vulcanizing agent dispersed in the elastomeric compound, wherein the vulcanizing agent includes a cyclododecasulfur compound. A process for forming a vulcanized elastomeric article is also described.

A vertically oriented sulfur condenser may employ a plurality of condenser tubes arranged longitudinally within an exterior casing, a liquid sulfur reservoir at a longitudinal end of the sulfur condenser, and a condenser tube wall of at least one of the plurality of condenser tubes that protrudes into and below a liquid sulfur reservoir. A catalyst may be located within the liquid sulfur reservoir. A liquid sulfur outlet may be located at the liquid sulfur surface. A Claus process gas inlet may be proximate a first end of the plurality of condenser tubes. A first tube sheet may connect to and seal an end of the plurality of condenser tubes proximate a first end of the plurality of condenser tubes. A second tube sheet may connect to and seals with the plurality of condenser tubes and the exterior casing proximate a second end of the plurality of condenser tubes.

A process of producing degassed liquid sulfur using process gas containing H.sub.2S to agitate the liquid sulfur being degassed while in contact with a degassing catalyst. Process gas is less costly and less complicated and quickly accomplishes substantial degassing rendering the liquid sulfur much safer in storage and transportation.

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.

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.