Hydrogen sulfide reformation in the presence of methane. (15th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: El-Melih, A.M.; Al Shoaibi, A.; Gupta, A.K.
• Is Part Of: Applied energy. Volume 178(2016)
• Page Start: 609
• Page End: 615
• Publication Date: 2016-09-15
• Subjects: Hydrogen production from hydrogen sulfide -- Reformation of hydrogen sulfide and methane -- Hydrogen and sulfur from H2S; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy conservation -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.06.053
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-2619

Abstract

Highlights: Examined hydrogen production from thermal decomposition of sub-quality natural gas. Temperature impacts H2 production from hydrogen sulfide reformation with methane. H2 from H2 S reformation with methane increased at higher reactor temperatures. Increased reactor temperature increased CS2 concentration at the exit stream. Abstract: This paper provides experimental investigation on the potential of hydrogen production from hydrogen sulfide and methane mixtures in nitrogen. The reformation of H2 S in natural gas represents a viable alternative option for the treatment of acid gases extracted from gas wells that contains H2 S, CH4 and N2 in the gases without their separation, using for example, the amine process to remove H2 S. A laboratory-scale quartz reactor was used to investigate experimentally the effect of temperature and inlet stream composition on the production of hydrogen from a mixture of hydrogen sulfide and methane diluted in nitrogen. The results reveal the important role of reactor temperature on the decomposition of both hydrogen sulfide and methane as well as the production of hydrogen. The results also showed that the production of hydrogen increased dramatically at temperatures exceeding 1473 K wherein the conversion of hydrogen sulfide is more significant. The methane was consumed at temperatures above 1373 K. The conversion of hydrogen sulfide in presence of methane was higher than that in case of hydrogen sulfide only. The carbon disulfide formed during the reformation process increased with increase in temperature. These results provide favorable reactor operational conditions for the reformation of methane with hydrogen sulfide. These results also provide a viable alternative option for the treatment of various waste streams containing hydrogen sulfide to produce clean hydrogen and sulfur.