Low-temperature catalytic decomposition of hydrogen sulfide into hydrogen and diatomic gaseous sulfur

The thermodynamics of three pathways of the hydrogen sulfide decomposition reaction is considered. In the thermal process, the gas-phase dissociation of hydrogen sulfide yields hydrogen and diatomic singlet sulfur. Over sulfide catalysts, the reaction proceeds via the formation of disulfane (H₂S₂) as the key surface intermediate. This intermediate then decomposes to release hydrogen into the gas phase, and adsorbed singlet sulfur recombines into cyclooctasulfur. Over metal catalysts, H₂S decomposes via dissociation into surface atoms followed by the formation of gaseous hydrogen and gaseous triplet disulfur. The last two pathways are thermodynamically forbidden in the gas phase and can take place at room temperature only on the surface of a catalyst. An alternative mechanism is suggested for hydrogen sulfide assimilation in the chemosynthesis process involving sulfur bacteria. To shift the hydrogen sulfide decomposition equilibrium toward the target product (hydrogen), it is suggested that the reaction should be conducted at room temperature as a three-phase process over a solid catalyst under a layer of a solvent that can dissolve hydrogen sulfide and sulfur. In this case, it is possible to attain an H₂S conversion close to 100%. Therefore, hydrogen sulfide can be considered as an inexhaustible source of hydrogen, a valuable chemical and an environmentally friendly energetic product.     

Interaction of Langmuir–Blodgett Layers Bearing Amino Groups with Sulfur Dioxide

The adsorption of SO₂ on thin Langmuir–Blodgett layers of long-chain molecules containing tertiary amino groups is studied by the polarization method. The study was performed at room temperature using 10- to 25-nm-thick layers in the SO₂ concentration range of 100–3000 mg/m³. It is shown that the amount of the adsorbed sulfur dioxide is proportional to its concentration in the gas phase.     

High-efficiency process for production of sulfur from metallurgical sulfur dioxide gases

Process in which sulfur is produced from a gas containing 25–55% SO₂ was studied in order to evaluate the real efficiency of the catalytic post-reduction of sulfur dioxide in a pilot unit with gas flow rate of up to 1.2 nm³ h^–1 at the following temperatures (°C): thermal stage 850–1100, catalytic conversion 350–570, and Claus reactor 219–279. It was found that the conversion at 400–550°C and space velocity of 1600 h^–1 on AOK-78-57 promoted aluminum oxide catalyst provides full processing of organosulfur compounds (CS₂ and COS). The temperature dependence of the conversion/generation of hydrogen sulfide on AOK-78-57 catalyst corresponds to the equilibrium model. It was experimentally confirmed that the homogeneous reduction of sulfur dioxide gas with methane at T ≈ 1100°C, with catalytic post-reduction at 400–550°C and subsequent Claus-conversion of the reduced gas at 230–260°C, provide a sufficiently deep (by 92–95%) general processing of sulfur dioxide gas to sulfur.     

Kinetics of the Reduction of Cupric Ion in Ammonia Solution by Sulfur Dioxide

The reduction of cupric ion in ammonia solution by aqueous sulfur dioxide was studied. Each run was carried out at constant initial cupric concentration, stirred rate and total mixed gas flow rate. The effect of temperature, partial pressure of sulfur dioxide in gas phase and cupric ion concentration of the solution was investigated. The reaction of Cu³⁺+SO₂(aq.)→Cu⁺+SO₄^2? was carried out by bubbling mixed gas (SO₂/N₂) through the aqueous ammonia complex of copper (II). The color change for the system was from deep blue, green, yellow to white. The pH values in the system changed from 10 to 4. The product of the reaction was identified by the analyses of IR spectrum and X-ray diffraction, having the formula of 7Cu₂SO₃· 2CuSO₃·3(NH₄)₂SO₃·24H₂O. The kinetic model of the reduction was proposed as: –d[Cu²⁺]/dt = k exp(–E/RT)[Cu²⁺]α[SO₂%] According to the experiments, the parameters were determined as: α=1.64±0.03, þ=1.20, E=13.7 Kcal/mol and k = (1.77±0.20)×10¹⁰ (g-equ./?)^?0.64min^?2.     

The molecular mechanism of low-temperature decomposition of hydrogen sulfide under conjugated chemisorption-catalysis conditions

The molecular mechanism of interaction of two hydrogen sulfide molecules with the (Co^III-H_o)₂S₂(SH₂)₄ model active center containing occluded hydrogen was studied by the density functional theory method with the B3P86 hybrid exchange-correlation functional. The reaction was found to occur in the following elementary steps: molecular adsorption of hydrogen sulfide ? dissociative chemisorption ? S-S bond formation in the surface intermediate {2Co^III ? (μ-S₂) + 2H(ads)} with the release of the first hydrogen molecule into the gas phase H₂(g) ? the release of the second hydrogen molecule into the gas phase H₂(g) ? the formation of cyclooctasulfur in the reaction 4S₂(ads) → S₈(ads). The first three steps occur spontaneously at room temperature, the thermodynamic driving force of the process being the stoichiometric reaction of S-S bond formation at the stage of conjugated chemisorption of two hydrogen sulfide molecules on two adjacent metal ions with the release of the first hydrogen molecule into the gas phase. The catalytic cycle is terminated by the recombination of molecular sulfur S₂ into cyclooctasulfur S₈ in the adsorption layer and the release of the second hydrogen molecule into the gas phase.     

Sulfur dioxide Plasma Treatment of the Clay (Laponite) Particles

Low temperature plasma treatment of the inorganic clay (Laponite) using sulfur dioxide (SO₂) as a process gas was carried out in order to graft the functional groups containing sulfur and oxygen (sulfonic acid groups) onto the inert clay surface. Conditions for SO₂ plasma modification were optimized by the measurement of the sulfur content as a function of the plasma power, gas flow rate and treatment time. It was found that the sulfur content increased with the increasing of the plasma power as well as the treatment time. Optical emission spectroscopy was presented in order to control the plasma phase and to characterize the different excitation processes of atomic species in SO₂ plasma under different discharge conditions. X-ray diffraction spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, FTIR and thermal analysis measurements of grafted Laponite powder completed the characterization.     

Study on Apparent Kinetics of the Reaction between Sulfuric and Hydriodic Acids in the Iodine–Sulfur Process

The iodine–sulfur (IS) thermochemical process for hydrogen production is one of the most promising approaches in using high‐temperature process heat supplied by a nuclear reactor. This process includes three reactions that form a closed cycle: the Bunsen reaction, in which iodine, water, and sulfur dioxide react to form sulfuric acid and hydriodic acid (HI); HI decomposition; and sulfuric acid decomposition. However, the side reactions between H₂SO₄ and HI may disturb the operation of the IS closed cycle. For optimal process conditions, the reaction kinetics between H₂SO₄ and HI should be examined. In this work, a preliminary kinetic study was conducted. Using the initial reaction rate method, the kinetic parameters of the reaction between sulfuric acid and HI, such as the apparent reaction orders and rate constant were determined. For I^?, the apparent reaction order was approximately 1.77, whereas the orders for H⁺ and SO₄^2? were 7.78 and 1.29, respectively. The apparent rate constant at 85 ± 1°C was approximately 2.949 × 10^?11 min^?1 (mol/L)^?9.84. The H⁺ concentration had more significant influence on the reaction rate than those of SO₄^2? and I^?. Such basic data provide useful information for related process design and further kinetics study.     

Effect of metals on the catalytic activity of sulfated zirconia for light naphtha isomerization

We studied on the function of the metal in the sulfated zirconia(SO₄^2–/ZrO₂) catalyst for the isomerization reaction of light paraffins. The addition of Pt to the SO₄^2–/ZrO₂ carrier could keep the high catalytic activity. The improvement in this isomerization activity is because Pt promotes removal of the coke precursor deposited on the catalyst surface. Though this catalytic function was observed in other transition metals, such as Pd, Ru, Ni, Rh and W, Pt exhibited the highest effect among them. It was further found that the Pd/SO₄^2–/ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ catalyst possessed a catalytic function for desulfurization of sulfur-containing light naphtha in addition to the skeletal isomerization. The sulfur tolerance of catalyst depended on the method of adding Pd, and the catalyst prepared by impregnation of the SO₄^2–/ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ with an aqueous solution of Pd exhibited the highest sulfur tolerance.Further, we investigated the improvement in sulfur tolerance of the Pt/SO₄^2–/ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ catalyst by impregnation of Pd. The results of EPMA analysis indicated that this catalyst was a hybrid-type one (Pt/SO₄^2–/ZrO₂–Pd/Al₂O₃) in which Pt/SO₄^2–/ZrO₂ particles and Pd/Al₂O₃ particles adjoined closely. This hybrid catalyst possessed a very high sulfur tolerance to the raw light naphtha that was obtained from the atmospheric distillation apparatus, although this light naphtha contained much sulfur. We assume that such a high sulfur tolerance in the hybrid catalyst is brought about by the isomerization function of Pt/SO₄^2–/ZrO₂ particles and the hydrodesulfurization function of Pd/Al₂O₃ particles. Besides, since the hybrid catalyst also provides high catalytic activity in the isomerization of HDS light naphtha, we suggest that the Pd/Al₂O₃ particles supply atomic hydrogen to the Pt/SO₄^2–/ZrO₂ particles by homolytic dissociation of gaseous hydrogen and also enhance the sulfur tolerance of Pt/SO₄^2–/ZrO₂ particles. Finally, we also propose the most suitable location of Pd and Pt in the metal-supported SO₄^2–/ZrO₂–Al₂O₃ catalyst.     

A biological process for the reclamation of flue gas desulfurization gypsum using mixed sulfate-reducing bacteria with inexpensive carbon sources

A combined chemical and biological process for the recycling of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) gypsum into calcium carbonate and elemental sulfur is demonstrated. In this process, a mixed culture of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) utilizes inexpensive carbon sources, such as sewage digest or synthesis gas, to reduce FGD gypsum to hydrogen sulfide. The sulfide is then oxidized to elemental sulfur via reaction with ferric sulfate, and accumulating calcium ions are precipitated as calcium carbonate using carbon dioxide. Employing anaerobically digested municipal sewage sludge (AD-MSS) medium as a carbon source, SRBs in serum bottles demonstrated an FGD gypsum reduction rate of 8 mg/L/h (10⁹ cells)^-1. A chemostat with continuous addition of both AD-MSS media and gypsum exhibited sulfate reduction rates as high as 1.3 kg FGD gypsum/m³d. The increased biocatalyst density afforded by cell immobilization in a columnar reactor allowed a productivity of 152 mg SO₄ ^-2/Lh or 6.6 kg FGD gypsum/m³d. Both reactors demonstrated 100% conversion of sulfate, with 75–100% recovery of elemental sulfur and chemical oxygen demand utilization as high as 70%. Calcium carbonate was recovered from the reactor effluent on precipitation using carbon dioxide. It was demonstrated that SRBs may also use synthesis gas (CO, H₂, and CO₂ in the reduction of gypsum, further decreasing process costs. The formation of two marketable products—elemental sulfur and calcium carbonate—from FGD gypsum sludge, combined with the use of a low-cost carbon source and further improvements in reactor design, promises to offer an attractive alternative to the landfilling of FGD gypsum.

     

Formation of sulfur surface species on a commercial NO<Subscript>x</Subscript>-storage reduction catalyst

The influence of SO₂ exposure under lean (oxidizing) and rich (reducing) reaction conditions on the storage and oxidation/reduction function of a commercial NO_x storage-reduction catalyst was investigated by temperature-programmed uptake experiments and high temperature XRD. Both the storage capacity and the oxidation/reduction function of the catalyst were deactivated by SO₂ exposure under lean and rich reaction conditions. The deactivation of the storage component, i.e. the loss of the NO_x storage capacity, resulted mainly from the formation of Ba-sulfates accumulating in the bulk phase, which have a high thermal stability (>800°C) and, therefore, cannot be removed under the typical operation conditions of a NSR catalyst. For the oxidation function only a temporarily deactivation during lean reaction conditions was observed. Besides the formation of SO^2- ₄ species on the storage component at the beginning of the SO₂ exposure under rich conditions, an adsorption of SO₂ on the noble metal component was observed resulting in the formation of sulfur deposits. The oxidation of these sulfur species with a subsequent spillover of SO^2- ₄ species to the storage component during lean conditions could accelerate the deactivation of the storage capacity.     

The reactions between SO2 and C2H2 (and C2H4) at elevated temperatures. A single-pulse shock tube investigation

The high-temperature reaction between sulfur dioxide and acetylene in an excess of argon was studied in a 1?in. i.d. single-pulse shock tube. Mixtures ranging from 1.81% to 5.40% SO₂ and 1.60% to 4.90% C₂H₂ were heated to reflected shock temperatures of 1550°–2150°K, for dwell times of about 0.6 msec and gas dynamically quenched. Total reaction densities were 0.89 to 5.4 × 10^?2 moles/1. The reaction products were analyzed by gas chromatography. A technique was developed for separating Ar, C₂H₄, C₂H₂, SO₂, CO, CO₂, H₂S, COS, and CS₂. The major products of the reaction are CO, H₂, CS₂, and sulfur. The products observed were compared with those predicted on the assumption that equilibrium was attained. Several preliminary experiments were carried out with ethylene-sulfur dioxide mixtures, and the results indicated that for this combination the sulfur dioxide probably reacted with the acetylene generated from the decomposition of the ethylene, rather than directly with the ethylene. The rate of decline in the sulfur dioxide content in C₂H₂-SO₂ mixtures was found to be approximately second order (total) and can be empirically represented by A mechanism is proposed to account for the overall reaction kinetics.     

Mechanistic study on the atmospheric formation of acid rain base on the sulfur dioxide

The reaction pathways of acid rain formation from reaction of sulfur dioxide vapor and water vapor on the singlet potential energy surface have been investigated theoretically. The calculated results show that the reactants are initially associated with the adduct SO₂–H₂O through a barrier less process. Subsequently, via a variety of transformations of isomer SO₂–H₂O, three kinds of products H₂SO₃, SO₃ + H₂, and H₂O₂ + ³SO are obtained. The cleavage and formation of the chemical bonds in the reaction pathways have been discussed using the structural parameters. Also, by means of the transition states and their connected intermediates or products at the CCSD(T)//B3LYP level, mechanism of H₂O + SO₂ reaction on the singlet potential energy surface are plotted. The calculation results show that the most suitable reaction pathways are the formation of H₂SO₃. Finally, the rate constants have been calculated only for these suitable pathways by the RRKM and TST theories at temperature range of 250–2500 K.     

Reaction rate constant of SO3 + CH3OH in the gas phase

The reaction rates of SO₃ with CH₃OH in He were measured at total pressures of 0.7–1.6 torr in flow tubes. The concentration of SO₃ was monitored by the SO₂* fluorescence from excitation of SO₃ at 147 nm. The reaction rate constant of SO₃ + CH₃OH in the gas phase is determined to be (1.17 ± 0.16) × 10^?13 cm³ molec^?1 s^?1 at room temperature.     

Simultaneous analysis of gaseous and particulate sulfur in the atmosphere by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

An analytical technique for the simultaneous measurement of the atmospheric concentrations of SO₂ gas and sulfur absorbed by aerosol particles has been developed. Aerosol particles are collected on membrane filter and at the same time SO₂ gas is captured on alkali impregnated filter. The sulfur content in each filter is measured by an energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer consisting of a Si(Li) semiconductor detector connected to a multichannel pulse height analyzer and an excitation source of⁵⁵Fe. Two methods are acceptable for the determination of the sulfur content in impregnated filter by X-ray fluorescence analysis. In the first method X-ray fluorescence analysis is made after the collected sulfur has diffused and distributed uniformly enough throughout the filter, and in the second method X-ray fluorescence analysis has to be finished before the diffusion of the collected sulfur becomes appreciable. Some results of simultaneous analysis of SO₂ gas and particulate sulfur in the atmosphere are presented.     

Mechanistic Insight into the Reaction of Organic Acids with SO3 at the Air–Water Interface

The gas‐phase reaction of organic acids with SO₃ has been recognized as essential in promoting aerosol‐particle formation. However, at the air–water interface, this reaction is much less understood. We performed systematic Born–Oppenheimer molecular dynamics (BOMD) simulations to study the reaction of various organic acids with SO₃ on a water droplet. The results show that with the involvement of interfacial water molecules, organic acids can react with SO₃ and form the ion pair of sulfuric‐carboxylic anhydride and hydronium. This mechanism is in contrast to the gas‐phase reaction mechanisms in which the organic acid either serves as a catalyst for the reaction between SO₃ and H₂O or reacts with SO₃ directly. The distinct reaction at the water surface has important atmospheric implications, for example, promoting water condensation, uptaking atmospheric condesation species, and incorporating “SO₄^2?” into organic species in aerosol particles. Therefore, this reaction, typically occurring within a few picoseconds, provides another pathway towards aerosol formation.     

Theoretical Studies on Mechanism and Rate Constant of Gas Phase Hydrolysis of Glyoxal Catalyzed by Sulfuric Acid

The gas phase hydration of glyoxal (HCOCHO) in the presence of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) were studied by the high-level quantum chemical calculations with M06-2X and CCSD(T) theoretical methods and the conventional transition state theory (CTST). The mechanism and rate constant of the ve di erent reaction paths are consid-ered corresponding to HCOCHO+H₂O, HCOCHO+H₂O H₂O, HCOCHO H₂O+H₂O, HCOCHO+H₂O H₂SO₄ and HCOCHO H₂O+H₂SO₄. Results show that H₂SO₄ has a strong catalytic ability, which can signi cantly reduce the energy barrier for the hydration reaction of glyoxal. The energy barrier of hydrolysis of glyoxal in gas phase is lowered to 7.08 kcal/mol from 37.15 kcal/mol relative to pre-reactive complexes at the CCSD(T)/6-311++G(3df, 3pd)//M06-2X/6-311++G(3df, 3pd) level of theory. The rate constant of the H₂SO₄ catalyzed hydrolysis of glyoxal is 1.34×10^-11cm³/(molecule s), about 10¹³ higher than that involving catalysis by an equal number of water molecules, and is greater than the reaction rate of glyoxal reaction with OH radicals of 1.10×10^-11cm³/(molecule s) at the room temperature, indicating that the gas phase hydrolysis of glyoxal of H₂SO₄ catalyst is feasible and could compete with the reaction glyoxal+OH under certain atmospheric condi-tions. This study may provide useful information on understanding the mechanistic features of inorganic acid-catalyzed hydration of glyoxal for the formation of oligomer     

Determination of Sulfur Compounds in Water Samples by Ion Chromatography Dynamic Reaction Cell Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

An ion chromatography‐inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric (IC‐ICP‐MS) method for the speciation of sulfur compounds, namely sulfite [SO₃^2?], sulfate [SO₄^2?] and thiosulfate [S₂O₃^2?], was described. Ionic sulfur compounds were well separated in about 3 min by ion chromatography with a Hamilton PRP‐X100 column as the stationary phase and 60 mmol L^?1 NH₄NO₃ and 0.1% v/v formaldehyde (HCHO) solution (pH = 7) as the mobile phase. The analyses were carried out using dynamic reaction cell (DRC) ICP‐MS. The sulfur‐selective chromatogram was determined at m/z 48 as ³²S¹⁶O⁺ by using its reaction with O₂ in the reaction cell. The method avoided the effect of polyatomic isobaric interferences at m/z 32 caused by ¹⁶O¹⁶O⁺ and ¹⁴N¹⁸O⁺ on ³²S⁺ by detecting ³²S⁺ as the oxide ion ³²S¹⁶O⁺ at m/z 48, which is less interfered. The detection limit of various species studied was in the range of 3.6–4.6 ng S mL^?1. The accuracy of the method has been verified by comparing the sum of the concentrations of individual sulfur compounds obtained by the present procedure with the total concentration of sulfur in several natural water samples. The recovery was in the range of 97–102% for various compounds studied.     

Hydrogen generation by plasma-assisted electrochemical pumping

We demonstrated that the reaction between water vapor and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) can be catalyzed plasma-chemically and hydrogen species, products of the reaction, can be pumped out electrochemically as hydrogen molecules (H₂) with the help of palladium (Pd) bipolar electrode. The plasma-energizing effect on the reaction between water vapor and SO₂ is solely played by non-thermal electrons generated by atmospheric pressure electrical microdischarge. Of the reaction products the hydrogen atoms are dissolved in the Pd membrane, transferred to the interface contacting a proton conducting medium through diffusion and eventually anodized at the interface. This type of electrolysis does not require platinum catalyst and opens a possibility of increasing the energy efficiency for hydrogen generation.     

Density functional theory study on sensing properties of g-C3N4 sheet to atmospheric gasses: Role of zigzag and armchair edges

The ability of the polymer-based graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) as a gas sensor toward NO, NO₂, CO, CO₂, SO₂, SO₃, and O₂ gasses is assessed using density functional theory (DFT) calculations in terms of energetic and electronic transport characteristics. In particular, this study is aimed to explore the role of zigzag and armchair edges of the g-C₃N₄ sheet on sensing performances. The electronic properties of adsorption systems, such as Bader charge analysis, band gaps, work function, and density of states (DOS), are used to understand the interaction between the adsorbed gas molecules and the g-C₃N₄ sheet. Our calculated results indicate that SOx (SO₃ and SO₂) gasses have higher adsorption energies on the g-C₃N₄ sheet than other gasses. Furthermore, the transport properties, such as current–voltage (I-V) and resistance-voltage (R-V) curves along the zigzag and armchair directions are calculated using the non-equilibrium Green's function (NEGF) method to understand the performance of the g-C₃N₄ sheet as a prominent conductive/resistive sensor. The I-V/R-V results indicate that the zigzag g-C₃N₄ sheet has excellent sensing ability toward SOx gasses at low applied voltages. However, the presence of H₂O degrades the sensing performance of the armchair g-C₃N₄ sheet. Theoretical recovery time has also been calculated to evaluate the reusability of g-C₃N₄ sheet-based gas sensors. Our results reveal that the zigzag g-C₃N₄ sheet-based sensing device has a remarkably high sensitivity (>300%) and selectivity toward SOx gasses and has the potential to work in a complex environment.     

Negative Ion Formation by Thermal Surface Ionization of Sulfur Dioxide

The generation of negative ions from SO₂ in the gas phase was studied using the thermal surface ionization method. Six anion types were measured: O⁻, S⁻, SO⁻, and SO₂⁻ and anions with m/z=96 and m/z=128. The most abundant anion formed was S⁻ and the formation routes are discussed for each of the six anions. O⁻, S⁻, and SO⁻ are formed via dissociative electron attachment to the molecule, whereas the generation of SO₂⁻ and anions with m/z=96 and m/z=128 are probably associated with the formation of H₂SO₄ in the gas inlet system and the ion source. Using statistical thermodynamics the dissociation temperatures of SO₂ and SO in the gas phase are calculated and values of above 1800 °C are obtained for both molecules. We also estimated the optimal filament temperatures for the formation of all anions measured, indicating that for SO₂ the optimal temperature is related to the electron affinity of the molecules: the optimal temperature increases with decreasing value of the electron affinity for the molecule corresponding to the respective anion.