This research is aimed at developing a perovskite membrane system for the conversion of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) into water and elemental sulfur. The starting point of the process is the introduction of H2S on one side of the membrane. The system is heated to cause the thermal decomposition of the hydrogen sulfide gas into hydrogen gas (H2) and sulfur. This reaction is further promoted by depositing a catalyst on the face of the membrane to promote the decomposition. The H2 formed will be oxidized to H+ and an electron, and these charged species will be conducted across the membrane. The opposite end of the membrane will be exposed to air and will be coated with a La0.9Sr0.1 CoO3 catalyst. This catalyst will mediate the reaction of the migrating H+ and electron species arriving at the opposite face with oxygen available from the air to form water. The process promises to be a low cost method for removing hydrogen sulfide from the product gases of coal gasification and heavy oil desulfurization, and thereby allowing these reject gases to conform to environmental emission regulations.
