Valorization of Calcium Carbonate-Based Solid Wastes for the Treatment of Hydrogen Sulfide from the Gas Phase

Abstract

This paper focuses on the valorization of calcium carbonate-based solid wastes for the removal of hydrogen sulfide from gas phase. Two solid wastes taken from industrial sites for the production of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate by the Solvay process were analyzed by different physicochemical methods. Calcium carbonate was found as the main component of both solid wastes. Trace amounts of other elements such as Mg, Al, Fe, Si, Cl, Na, etc. were also present in these wastes. These solid wastes showed higher sorption activity for the removal of H2S, compared to a pure commercial calcium carbonate. The contact time was found as an important parameter for the complete H2S uptake. The addition of well-dispersed iron-based particles could be carried out by the standard incipient wetness impregnation method. Sorbent containing 1 wt % of spiked iron had the similar sorption behavior compared to a commercial activated carbon, in terms of reactivity and reactivation possibility.