Sulfur Partial Oxidation Furnace for Hydrogen and Sulfuric Acid
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for hydrogen production, such as steam reforming of natural gas and electrolysis, are inefficient and produce unwanted byproducts like carbon dioxide, while methods for hydrogen sulfide conversion to elemental sulfur are energy-intensive and produce sulfur dioxide, lacking a efficient process for producing hydrogen and sulfuric acid simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the partial oxidation of elemental sulfur vapor in a furnace to produce sulfur monoxide, followed by a water-gas shift reaction to generate hydrogen and sulfur dioxide, with subsequent conversion of sulfur dioxide to sulfuric acid, utilizing a Claus-type furnace and specific temperature ranges to control reaction pathways.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If sulfur is burned in air to produce sulfur dioxide, then sulfur dioxide is generated, but the process consumes large amounts of air and requires large-volume combustion chambers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the oxidizing agent from air (low oxygen concentration) to pure oxygen or oxygen-enriched gas (high oxygen concentration). This parameter change in oxygen concentration allows the same amount of sulfur to be combusted in a much smaller volume, directly resolving the contradiction between air consumption and combustion chamber volume.
2Productivity
If sulfur dioxide is absorbed in water to produce sulfuric acid, then sulfuric acid is generated, but hydrogen is not produced and large absorption towers are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate processes (sulfur dioxide absorption and hydrogen production) into one integrated process. By using water-gas shift reaction in the absorption tower, the system simultaneously produces sulfuric acid and hydrogen gas, eliminating the need for separate equipment and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The absorption tower is designed to perform multiple functions: absorbing sulfur dioxide to produce sulfuric acid, generating hydrogen through water-gas shift reaction, and purifying the gas stream. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate units needed, directly addressing the contradiction between productivity and device complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional sulfuric acid production methods are used, then sulfuric acid is produced, but hydrogen production is not achieved and energy consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful sulfur dioxide byproduct into a useful resource by using it as feedstock for sulfuric acid production. Simultaneously, the carbon monoxide from the sulfur dioxide absorption process is converted to hydrogen through water-gas shift reaction. This transforms waste streams into valuable products, achieving both hydrogen production and energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of discarding sulfur dioxide and carbon monoxide as waste products, the patent recovers and utilizes them in subsequent process steps. Sulfur dioxide is absorbed to produce sulfuric acid, and carbon monoxide undergoes water-gas shift reaction to produce hydrogen. This recovery approach eliminates waste disposal energy costs and generates additional valuable products.
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 efficiently produces hydrogen and sulfuric acid as co-products, overcoming the inefficiencies of traditional methods by controlling reaction temperatures and utilizing a Claus-type furnace to optimize the production of hydrogen and sulfuric acid.
Implementation Method 1
burns in pure oxygen to produce sulfur dioxide
Implementation Method 2
sulfur dioxide absorbs in water
Implementation Method 3
sulfurous acid oxidizes to produce sulfuric acid
Implementation Method 4
carbon monoxide reacts with water vapor to produce hydrogen and carbon dioxide
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A system and method for producing hydrogen, including converting sulfur vapor and oxygen gas in a first zone of furnace into sulfur monoxide, injecting water into a second zone of the furnace, converting the sulfur monoxide and the water in the second zone into hydrogen gas and sulfur dioxide, discharging furnace exhaust gas (including the hydrogen gas) from the furnace, condensing sulfur vapor in the furnace exhaust gas into liquid sulfur in a condenser (heat exchanger) downstream of the furnace, and discharging the liquid sulfur from the condenser to a vessel.