Catalytic oxidation of aqueous hydrogen sulfide in the presence of sulfite

Journal Article · Sat Jun 01 00:00:00 EDT 1985 · Corrosion (Houston); (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.5006/1.3582010· OSTI ID:5403370

Weres, O; Tsao, L; Chhatre, R M

Nickel sulfate catalyzes the reaction of hydrogen sulfide with oxygen in aqueous solution. This reaction was studied, and an empirical rate expression and a reaction mechanism were deduced. The rate of oxidation is independent of oxygen concentration and pH over the range investigated. The reaction rate is one half order in nickel, and it changes from second to first order in sulfide with increasing concentration. The oxidation reaction is an autocatalytic, free radical chain reaction. Nickel catalyzes the chain initiation step, and polysulfido radical ions propagate the chains. Colloidal sulfur is a major, frequently undesirable reaction product. Sodium sulfite suppresses formation of colloidal sulfur by converting it to thiosulfate. Cobalt is an equally potent catalyst, but a colloidal dispersion of cobalt oxysulfide is produced. Iron compounds are much weaker catalysts; iron citrate and iron HEDTA (n-hydroxyethylenediaminetriacetic acid) were among those tested. 24 references, 15 figures, 3 tables.

• Research Organization: Lawrence Berkeley Lab., CA
• DOE Contract Number: AC03-76SF00098
• OSTI ID: 5403370
• Journal Information: Corrosion (Houston); (United States), Vol. 41:6, Issue 6
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC
ORGANIC
PHYSICAL AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
HYDROGEN SULFIDES
CATALYSIS
OXIDATION
CHEMICAL REACTION KINETICS
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
COBALT
IRON COMPOUNDS
NICKEL SULFATES
OXYGEN
PH VALUE
SULFITES
WATER CHEMISTRY
CHALCOGENIDES
CHEMISTRY
ELEMENTS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
KINETICS
METALS
NICKEL COMPOUNDS
NONMETALS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
REACTION KINETICS
SULFATES
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
400201* - Chemical & Physicochemical Properties