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Hydrogen recovery from hydrogen sulfide by oxidation and by decomposition

Journal Article · · Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ie00029a004· OSTI ID:7041097
;  [1]
  1. Northwestern Univ., Evanston, IL (United States). Ipatieff Lab. and Chemical Engineering Dept.

Selective oxidation of hydrogen sulfide to hydrogen and sulfur oxides in a two-step process and the catalytic decomposition of hydrogen sulfide were studied for the recovery of hydrogen from hydrogen sulfide. Platinum, when adequately dispersed on a silica support, was found to be effective in reacting with hydrogen sulfide to produce hydrogen and platinum sulfide at 500 C. The platinum sulfide could then be treated with oxygen at 400 C to release sulfur oxides and regenerate the platinum. However, oxidation of sulfur dioxide to trioxide, retention of oxygen by platinum, and adsorption of hydrogen sulfide by the silica support also occurred, which resulted in a minor loss in hydrogen yield. In the decomposition of hydrogen sulfide, platinum sulfide was found to be catalytically active. The equilibrium hydrogen yields were measured experimentally over the range 350--650 C and compared with the values calculated on the basis of a model that included the S, allotropes, the H[sub 2]S[sub n] sulfanes, and HS. The values agreed well at low temperatures but deviated from each other up to 20% at high temperatures.

OSTI ID:
7041097
Journal Information:
Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research; (United States), Journal Name: Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research; (United States) Vol. 33:5; ISSN IECRED; ISSN 0888-5885
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English