A method for selectively removing hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide from
sour gas by reacting the hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide in the sour
gas with sodium hydroxide is disclosed. Also disclosed is a process for
the production of a salt product from a sour gas stream. The reaction
with sodium hydroxide creates a scrubber solution comprising water,
hydrocarbons, contaminants and salts. The scrubber solution may be
oxidized, filtered and can then be subjected to electrodialysis. Ammonia
is introduced into the acid compartments of the cell. Sodium hydroxide
and a salt product comprising ammonium sulfate or ammonium thiosulfate
with ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium carbonate, ammonium carbamate may be
produced. The regenerated sodium hydroxide may be used to sweeten further
sour gas. The salt product may be used as a fertilizer.