Reformation of hydrogen sulfide to hydrogen in the presence of xylene

Abstract Hydrogen sulfide is a hazardous gas from environmental, human health and equipment prospective. Hydrogen sulfide occurs naturally from crude oil and natural gas wells along with some other hydrocarbon impurities. Reformation of hydrogen sulfide without or with the presence of xylene (a common impurity present in hydrogen sulfide) has been investigated. Production of hydrogen concurrent with destruction of hydrogen sulfide provides a good alternative method to treat hydrogen sulfide. The role of xylene addition on the reformation of hydrogen sulfide was experimentally investigated. A laboratory-scale reactor was used to examine the effect of reactor temperature in the range of 1273–1573 K and various inlet stream composition on the production of hydrogen and destruction of both hydrogen sulfide and xylene. Results showed enhanced hydrogen production and higher hydrogen sulfide destruction at temperatures above 1273 K. Xylene was destructed completely at a relatively low temperature of 1373 K. Carbon disulfide formation increased with increase in temperature for all the inlet compositions of hydrogen sulfide and xylene examined. Reducing the formation of CS 2 and also mitigation of carbon deposition by reducing the amounts of carbon introduced to the reactor were investigated and quantified experimentally. The most favorable operational conditions for reaction between hydrogen sulfide and xylene were established. The results showed new potential of this binary mixture dissociation as an alluring treatment method of hydrogen sulfide.