| abstract |
A method is disclosed wherein a water stream is improved by oxidizing sulfur and/or the sulfur content of sub-six-sulfur-containing impurities in the stream to sulfate. In the method, the stream is contacted with molecular oxygen under particular conditions which include an elevated temperature, a substantial oxygen gas partial pressure, a pH of at least 9.6 and the substantial absence of a heavy metal oxidation catalyst. For each gram atom of sub-six sulfur, the contact mixture must contain at least one equivalent of a strong inorganic base such as sodium hydroxide. |