Oxidation of Sulfide by O ₂ : Catalysis and Inhibition

Abstract

Reaction rates between sulfide and oxygen in the presence of extraneous substances were studied. Divalent metal ions and organic substances such as phenols and aldehydes were found to exert accelerating effects. Compounds containing a basic nitrogen with a free electron pair were found to be chain-breakers and to inhibit the reaction. Four types of influence were observed in this study: (1) A shortening or lengthening of the induction period; (2) a change in the stoichiometry of the reaction; (3) a change in reaction rate; and (4) an induced oxidation of the added organic material. It is concluded that the treatment of sulfide-bearing industrial wastewater as well as the oxygenation of sulfide in natural environment can be greatly accelerated through proper use of catalysts.