Reactor Parameters Effects on Hydrogen Production from Hydrogen Sulfide

Experimental results are presented on the effect of input and reactor operational parameters on the production of hydrogen from hydrogen sulfide to minimize environmental burden. The effect of reactor temperature, residence time and inlet concentration of hydrogen sulfide (5%-100%), on hydrogen and sulfur production from a laboratory-scale reactor are presented. The results revealed a reduction in the production of hydrogen and decrease in conversion of hydrogen sulfide with increase in the inlet hydrogen sulfide concentration. The results also showed that pyrolysis at higher concentrations of hydrogen sulfide promotes occurrence of a more complex reaction chemistry with significant departure from equilibrium simulation. The results provided significant role of reactor temperature, H2S residence time in the reactor, and inlet concentration of H2S on hydrogen production. Higher temperatures enhanced the H2S conversion even at lower residence time. These results provide more favorable operating conditions of the reactor for the treatment of H2S waste streams to produce valuable hydrogen and sulfur. The results also provide viable means of utilizing various waste streams, containing hydrogen sulfide to ease environmental burden in the existing Claus reactors that are used for recovering sulfur and thermal energy. In-situ thermal energy utilization in the process offers opportunity for hydrogen production from the acid gases.