Abstract
The thermal noncatalytic decomposition of H 2S has been investigated in the temperature range 1000–1200°C, neat and admixed with nitrogen or helium at a total pressure of one atm. It has been found that, contrary to earlier literature claims, the inhibiting effect of the back reaction, the reverse reaction between H 2 and S i ( i = 1–8) molecules to regenerate H 2S, can be overcome by the use of readily attainable, sufficiently high gas flow rates. In agreement with thermodynamic predictions, the reaction has been shown to be temperature and H 2S pressure dependent; the experimental conversion was found to increase with rising temperature and declining H 2S pressure. At 1200 °C and one atm. H 2S pressure the measured conversion was 35.6% corresponding to 97.5% of the thermodynamic limit when a steady gas flow of 50 mL/min and residence time of 48 seconds were maintained. The highest experimental conversion, 65.8%, was obtained at the highest temperature, 1200 °C, and lowest pressure, 0.050 atm., employed. For optimum conversions under the present experimental conditions it was necessary to use a quartz reactor packed with quartz chips. Apparently, at 1200 °C the chips have no catalytic effect but serve as heat transfer agents.
- Publication:
-
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
- Pub Date:
- January 1998
- DOI:
- Bibcode:
- 1998IJHE...23..451F