Hydrogen Sulfide Conversion to Hydrogen via Catalytic Decomposition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Natural and industrial gases often contain high levels of hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, and other contaminants, which are difficult to remove efficiently, leading to low-quality sulfur production and safety concerns due to the toxicity and flammability of hydrogen sulfide.

Innovation Solution

A process involving a heated area with a temperature range of 50°C-700°C, using a catalyst or resistance wire, to convert hydrogen sulfide into sulfur and hydrogen, with subsequent separation of sulfur, allowing for the removal of contaminants and recovery of hydrogen, which can then react with carbon dioxide to form water and carbon, thereby purifying the gas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If conventional solvent extraction or adsorption methods are used to remove hydrogen sulfide, then hydrogen sulfide removal is achieved, but the process complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen sulfide removalVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts hydrogen sulfide from the gas stream through direct decomposition in a reactor, separating it from the main gas flow and converting it into useful products (sulfur and hydrogen) rather than using complex extraction or adsorption systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the temperature parameter to enable direct decomposition of hydrogen sulfide at relatively low temperatures (50-700°C) using a catalyst, transforming the removal mechanism from physical separation to chemical conversion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Loss of substance

If the Claus Process is used to recover sulfur from hydrogen sulfide, then sulfur recovery is achieved, but the sulfur quality is low and considered hazardous waste due to amine extractant contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesulfur recoveryVSAvoidsulfur quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful hydrogen sulfide directly into valuable products (high-purity sulfur and hydrogen) through catalytic decomposition, eliminating the need for amine extractants and producing clean sulfur without contamination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a catalyst as an intermediary substance that facilitates the decomposition of hydrogen sulfide into sulfur and hydrogen, enabling the reaction to proceed at lower temperatures and producing higher quality sulfur

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If hydrogen is stored in high-pressure steel cylinders, then hydrogen storage is achieved, but safety risks increase due to extreme flammability and high pressure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen storageVSAvoidsafety risks

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent produces hydrogen in situ within the gas processing system and uses it immediately or stores it in the presence of the original gas mixture, creating an inert environment that prevents flammability hazards associated with pure hydrogen storage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

4Productivity

If high temperatures above 850°C are used in the Claus Process, then hydrogen sulfide conversion is achieved, but energy consumption increases and equipment requirements become more stringent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehydrogen sulfide conversionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the temperature parameter from high temperatures (>850°C) to moderate temperatures (50-700°C) by introducing a catalyst, achieving the same conversion efficiency with significantly lower energy input and simpler equipment requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This process effectively removes at least 50% of contaminants, with up to 100% removal possible, producing high-purity hydrogen and sulfur, and releasing significant energy during hydrogen oxidation, making it a safer and more efficient method for gas purification and hydrogen recovery.

Implementation Method 1

converting the hydrogen sulfide to sulfur and hydrogen by passing the gas through a heated area having a temperature of about 50.degree. C.-700.degree. C.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal decomposition: Pyrolysis

Implementation Method 2

The heated area is produced by a heating element comprising a catalyst and/or a resistance wire

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 3

The heated area is produced by a heating element comprising a catalyst and/or a resistance wire

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 4

reacting the hydrogen with the carbon dioxide to form water and carbon

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Implementation Method 5

separating the sulfur from the gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase separation: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS9290386B2Hydrogen sulfide conversion to hydrogen

Publication Date: 2016.03.22 SWAPSOL CORP

AI summary

A process and system for substantially eliminating contaminants from a gas and a gas produced therefrom.