Abstract

Methods and systems for separating hydrogen and sulfur from hydrogen sulfide(H.sub.2S) gas. Hydrogen sulfide(H.sub.2S) gas is passed into a scrubber and filtration unit with polysulfide solution. Interaction frees elemental sulfur which is filtered, excess continues to a stripper unit where the excess H.sub.2S is removed. The excess H.sub.2S returns to the scrubber and filtration unit, while the sulfide solution passes into a photoreactor containing a photocatalyst and a light source. The sulfide solution is oxidatively converted to elemental sulfur and complexed with excess sulfide ion to make polysulfide ion, while water is reduced to hydrogen. Hydrogen is released, while the polysulfide solution is fed back to the scrubber unit where the system operation repeats. In a second embodiment, the photocatalyst is eliminated, and the hydrogen sulfide solution is directly illuminated with ultraviolet radiation with a light source such as a low pressure mercury lamp operating at approximatel

Document Type

Patent

Patent Number

US 7,220,391 B1

Application Serial Number

10/165,843

Issue Date

5-22-2007

Current Assignee

UCFRF

Assignee at Issuance

UCFRF

College

Florida Solar Energy Center (FSEC)

Department

FSEC

Allowance Date

3-29-2007

Filing Date

6-7-2002

Assignee at Filing

UCFRF

Filing Type

Nonprovisional Application Record

Donated

no

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