Removal of H₂S in air by using gliding discharges

LEGP, avenue de l'Université, Université de Pau, 64000 Pau, France

Corresponding author: rene.peyrous@univ-pau.fr

Received: 1 December 1999
Revised: 7 February 2000
Accepted: 18 April 2000
Published online: 15 July 2000

Abstract

The aim of this work is to study a reactor submitted to a gaseous flow, using gliding discharges along several divergent electrodes supplied by an AC high voltage power supply. This reactor was used for the treatment of gaseous pollutants (such as hydrogen sulfide H₂S) generally contained in industrial effluents. A systematic survey of the sulfide hydrogen destruction yield was undertaken according to several variables (H₂S initial concentration, hygrometry, gas flow rate, electric power, shape of the electrodes...). We have pointed out also the importance of the residence time of pollutants in the reactor. The best conditions for treatment were defined for the available power supply. A minimum energy density in the 0.1−0.18 kWh/m³ range and a destruction yield > 95% were obtained for a 100 ppmv H₂S initial concentration. Finally, we started a discussion about the formulation of the reactional mechanisms leading to the H₂S removal and about the energy distribution inside the reactor.