Keywords

hydrogen sulfide dissociation, nonthermal plasma, pulsed corona discharge, energy efficiency, hydrogen production

Abstract

A novel pulsed corona wire-in-tube reactor with quartz view-ports allowed visual observation of the effect of charge voltage and gas composition on the corona distribution. The H2S conversion and energy efficiency of H2S decomposition in this pulsed corona discharge reactor varied at constant power due to the selected values of the electrical parameters of pulse forming capacitance, charge voltage, and pulse frequency. Low pulse forming capacitance, low charge voltage, and high pulse frequency operation produce the highest energy efficiency of H2S conversion at constant power. H2S conversion is more efficient in Ar-N2 gas mixtures than in Ar or N2. these results can be explained by corona discharge observations, the electron attachment reactions of H2S at the streamer energies, and a proposed reaction of mechanism of H2S dissociation in the Ar-N2 gas mixture. The energy consumption per molecule of converted H2S in an equimolar mixture of Ar and N2 is the lowest that has been reported for any plasma reactor operated at non-vacuum pressures. The results reveal the potential for energy efficient H2S decomposition in pulsed corona discharge reactors.

Original Publication Citation

S. John, J.S. Hamann, S. Muknahallipatna, S. Legowski, J.F. Ackerman, M.D. Argyle, "Energy efficiency of hydrogen sulfide decomposition in a pulsed corona discharge reactor." Chemical Engineering Science, 64, 4826-4834, 29. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/9259/64/23