Plasma-Chemical Conversion of Hydrogen Sulfide in the Atmosphere of Methane with Addition of CO2 and O2

Abstract

Plasma-chemical conversion of hydrogen sulfide in the atmosphere of methane with addition of CO2 and O2 in the nonequilibrium plasma of barrier discharge is studied. The degree of hydrogen sulfide removal reaches 97 vol%. The degree of methane transformation does not exceed 14 vol%. Gaseous reaction products contain hydrogen, carbon oxides, and C2–C4 hydrocarbons. The energy consumption for the removal of hydrogen sulfide ranges from 84 to 182 eV molecule−1. The process is accompanied by the formation of deposits on the surface of reactor electrodes. The composition of deposits is studied. Organic linear and cyclic polysulfides, as well as sulfones of various structures are identified in soluble components of deposits. Based on the experimental data and the results of theoretical estimates, a radical chain reaction mechanism is proposed. It is shown that the formation of polysulfide compounds with terminal alkyl and oxygen-containing groups is provided by the reactions between atomic oxygen, SH, and alkyl radical which were formed in the initial stages of processes in the non-equilibrium plasma of barrier discharge.