Decomposition of Ethanethiol by a Corona Radical Injection System

Abstract:

The decomposition of ethanethiol by a corona radical injection system, using water vapor and O₃ as radical source, was investigated. It is found that only 83.6% of ethanethiol can be decomposed in dry air flow with relative humidity of 13.4%. A proper quantity of water vapor injection can improve the decomposition efficiency, but which is not always increased. The maximum decomposition efficiency of 99.1% can be obtained in wet air flow with relative humidity of 74.7%. 97.6% of ethanethiol can be decomposed when the relative humidity of gas flow is 51.6%, but it is found that only 76.3% of element sulfur is converted to SO₂, based on sulfur balance. However, the conversion efficiency of sulfur to SO₂ increases obviously with the increasing of O₃ injection. The decomposition efficiency of ethanethiol and conversion efficiency of sulfur to SO₂ can reach 99.8% and 95.3% respectively, when O₃ is injected into the reactor by high voltage electrode tubes with concentration of 1 g/m3 and flow rate of 300 L/h. The decomposition products are SO₂, CO₂ and H₂O, while no organic product is found, based on which the decomposition mechanism is discussed. The weakest chemical bond C-S in ethanethiol molecule is firstly decomposed to ·SH and ·C₂H₅ radicals. ·SH can be oxidized to elemental sulfur and SO₂, and ·C₂H₅ is oxidized to CO₂ and H₂O.

• Periodical: Materials Science Forum (Volume 921)
• Pages: 48-53
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.921.48
• Online since: May 2018
• Authors: Zhan Guo Li*, Hong Jie Zhao
• Keywords: Corona Discharge, Decomposition, Ethanethiol, Ozone (O₃), Plasma, Radical Injection, Water Vapour

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