Removal of <scp>CH₃SH</scp> with in‐situ generated ferrate(<scp>VI</scp>) in a wet‐scrubbing reactor

Abstract

Abstract BACKGROUND A wet scrubbing process with in‐situ electro‐generation of ferrate( VI ) has been developed for removing odour from foul gas in wastewater treatment plants. In this process, methyl mercaptan ( CH 3 SH ) in synthetic gas is removed through absorption and oxidation by contacting the gaseous stream with aqueous NaOH electrolyte that offers in‐situ generation of ferrate( VI ) . RESULTS The process parameters including electrolyte concentration, applied current density, initial CH 3 SH concentration, gas flow rate and gaseous CH 3 SH compositions were investigated to determine the best operating conditions and design parameters for a scale‐up design. Under all the experimental conditions, gaseous CH 3 SH was completely removed by the wet scrubbing process at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The process proved to be quite effective for dissolved CH 3 S ‐ degradation under the optimum experimental condition at the NaOH concentration of 6 mol L –1 , current density of 2.22 mA cm ‐2 and CH 3 SH loading below 30 g m ‐3 h ‐1 . A very short contact time of 0.06 s between the gas and the liquid phases was achieved in this in‐situ ferrate( VI ) generation reactor . CONCLUSIONS This process is effective for CH 3 SH control, and holds great promise for industrial applications due to its high efficiency, simplicity and stability. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry