Method and apparatus for degassing sulfur

PCT No. PCT/NL96/00360 Sec. 371 Date Jul. 30, 1998 Sec. 102(e) Date Jul. 30, 1998 PCT Filed Sep. 16, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO97/10174 PCT Pub. Date Mar. 20, 1997A method is provided for removing hydrogen sulfide and hydrogen polysulfide compounds out of liquid sulfur by stripping with a gas, such as air. The method is conducted in an apparatus equipped with at least two degassing compartments and a sulfur collection pit wherein the degassing compartments are separated from each other by a first partition wall, the last degassing compartment is separated from the sulfur collection pit by a second partion wall and each degassing compartment contains at least first and second subcompartments which are separated from each other by a third partion wall and are open to each other at the top and the bottom. At least one first subcompartment in each said degassing compartment is provided, at the bottom thereof, with a plurality of stripping gas inlet nozzles and at least one second subcompartment in each said degassing compartment is not provided with stripping gas inlet nozzles. Furthermore, said at least one first subcompartment is constructed for flowing liquid sulfur over or through the first partition wall to a subsequent degassing compartment, the last degassing compartment is constructed for flowing liquid sulfur to the sulfur collection pit over the second partition wall and the apparatus is also provided with a provision for discharging gas comprising hydrogen saulfide.