An assessment of electrolytic hydrogen production from H2S in Black Sea waters

摘要

In the deeper parts of the Black Sea basin, water is anoxic. Hydrogen sulfide (H_2S) occurs naturally, and its concentration is nearly constant, around 9.5 mg/L at 1500 m depth. Its high solubility, and the existing chemical environment facilitate its accumulation and containment in the seawater, and its extraction poses a challenge. Possibility of hydrogen and sulfur production from H_2S contained in the waters of Black Sea is investigated conceptually. A multistage process is considered which involves extraction of seawater, adsorption of H_2S, electrochemical production of hydrogen and polysulfides; fresh water production by desalination of seawater and further hydrogen production from the resulting salty solution through chlorine-alkaline electrolysis. Some consideration is included regarding the economic and environmental aspects of the process.