Title : Energy production by integrated adsorption and catalysis in fuel cells – the case of hydrogen sulfide
Abstract:
The present study proposes integrated approach for sulfide removal based on combination of chemisorption on electro-conductive sorbent and the consecutive regeneration of the sorbent using sulfide driven fuel cell where the electro-conductive sorbent serves as anode with the simultaneous catalytical sulfide oxidation to sulfite and sulfate thus restoring the sorption capacity of the anode. In the meantime, electricity is generated to meet the energy demand of the facility. The benefit of this approach is double. First, the wastewater containing sulfide is cleaned converting sulfide to sulfate generating energy.Next, the sulfide is concentrated on the electro-conductive sorbent with the consequent catalytic oxidation to sulfate and thus to regenerate the sorbent. The straight use of sulfide as well as the other reductors in a waste stream in a fuel cell is also available for simultaneous wastewater treatment with energy production. The experiments were caried out on industrial wastewater, i.e. stillage from ethanol distillation. Oxides of heavy metals were used as sorbent and catalysts. Complete removal of sulfide was attained.
