Effect of H2 in the synthesis of COS using liquid sulfur and CO or CO2 as reactants

Abstract

The synthesis of COS from CO, CO2 and liquid sulfur in the presence and absence of hydrogen was explored. The reaction of H2 with liquid sulfur produced H2S and polysulfanes, which increase the reactivity of liquid sulfur and provide alternative complementary reaction routes for the formation of COS. The reaction from CO2 proceeds by forming CO as intermediate. Elevated pressure favors formation of COS from both carbon oxides due to the increasing residence time and the saturation of gases in the liquid. Above 350 °C, the solubility of H2S in sulfur and the hydrogenation of COS limit the conversion of CO. The approach provides a highly efficient method for the preparation of COS under mild reaction conditions, without using a catalyst or water adsorbents. © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010.