Reactions between hydrogen sulfide and sulfuric acid: A novel process for sulfur removal and recovery

Reactions between hydrogen sulfide and sulfuric acid were investigated in a laboratory batch reactor. At 120 degrees C, sulfur is a visible product of reactions between H2S and H2SO4. The amount of SO2 formed in the reaction depends on the sulfuric acid concentration and the reaction temperature. Th e overall reaction was observed to be exothermic. Based on the experimental results and thermodynamic analysis, the following two independent reaction s were identified: (i) H2S + H2SO4 = S + SO2 + 2H(2)O and (ii) 2H(2)S + SO2 = 3S + 2H(2)O. The experimental results can be well explained according to the above-proposed reaction scheme. A novel process is suggested for hydro gen sulfide removal and sulfur recovery.