SECONDARY RECOVERY PROCESS OF FLUID HYDROCARBONS FROM A SUBTER ANEAN FORMATION UTILIZING BRINE ELECTROLYZED TO REMOVE HYDROGEN SULPHIDE

摘要

1374010 Electrolytic reduction of hydrogen sulphide content of sour brine TEXACO DEVELOPMENT CORP 8 Dec 1972 [7 Jan 1972] 56855/72 Heading C7B [Also in Division E1] The hydrogen sulphide content of sour brine is lowered by electrolyzing the brine to produce sodium hypochlorite therein, or by addition thereto of brine which has been electrolyzed to form sodium hypochlorite therein, which sodium hypochlorite then reacts with the hydrogen sulphide to form insoluble sulphur or sulphate ion. The process may be used in purification of brine which has been used to provide pressure in secondary recovery of oil from oil fields, and which is recovered with the oil in a hydrogen sulphide contaminated state; the purified brine being recycled to the injection well. The cell shown comprises coaxial electrodes 61 (steel cathode) and 66 (graphite anode), the anode 66 extending about half the length of the cathode 61, with inlet 68 and outlet 69 for continuous passage of brine through the cell.