Removal of hydrogen sulfide from gas stream using a novel metal membrane prepared by wire arc spraying

In this research, we have demonstrated the feasibility of fabrication of a novel metal membrane by wire arc spraying. The feedstock wires were made of carbon steel (1.1% C, 1.9% Mn, and 1.8% Cr). The effects of stand-off distance between the gun and the substrate and the pressure of atomizing gas on the oxides, the porosity and mean pore size of the prepared membranes were studied. The SEM micrograph showed that the prepared membranes are asymmetrically porous. They were not uniform. The performance of prepared membranes was elucidated using gas stream containing hydrogen sulfide. The membranes with higher porosity exhibited gas permeability. Hydrogen sulfide reacts with the available iron in the membrane and produces iron sulfide and hydrogen. Hydrogen sulfide was considerably removed from the gas stream. The EDX test on the reacted membrane indicated that FeS covered the active surface of the metal membrane. Copyright © 2010 The Berkeley Electronic Press. All rights reserved.