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As a highly toxic compound, hydrogen sulfide can be oxidized to sulfur dioxide and form acid rain, thereby harming the environment and human health. After more than a decade of research, the Li Can team from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences successfully solved the problem of engineering scale-up for the decomposition of hydrogen sulfide, and developed a "discharge electrocatalytic full decomposition of hydrogen sulfide for hydrogen production and sulfur technology" with independent intellectual property rights of China. On January 6th, the "discharge electrocatalytic full decomposition of hydrogen sulfide for hydrogen production and sulfur technology" passed the scientific and technological achievement evaluation. 

"The off-site electrocatalytic full decomposition of hydrogen sulfide for hydrogen production and sulfur technology" decouples the chemical reaction and charge transfer in the reaction space. It uses electron mediation to move the electrode surface reaction away from the electrode, and completes the oxidation of hydrogen sulfide to sulfur and the proton reduction to produce hydrogen in the reactor outside the electrode. This design avoids the problems of sulfur deposition on the electrode surface and contamination of the battery separator, eliminates the influence of bubble adhesion on the hydrogen evolution reaction on the catalyst surface, and invents a new reaction mode for electrocatalytic production of chemicals. This technology provides a key green transformation solution for the natural gas, petrochemical, and coal chemical industries, and also provides solid support for the development of high-sulfur hydrogen resources and the industrial green and low-carbon development. 

Based on the "Off-site Electrochemical Full Decomposition of Hydrogen Sulfide for Hydrogen Production and Sulfur Technology", the research team collaborated to carry out an industrial demonstration project with an annual capacity of 100,000 cubic meters for the elimination and resource utilization of hydrogen sulfide in the coal chemical industry. This industrial demonstration project includes four technological innovations: off-site electrochemical full decomposition of hydrogen sulfide for hydrogen production and sulfur technology; high-efficiency and stable electrochemical cells and systems; high conversion rate and efficient separation of hydrogen sulfide oxidation and molten reaction system; high-quality sulfur and high-purity hydrogen recovery technology. The industrial demonstration project adopts a skid-mounted module design, consisting of three main units: hydrogen sulfide oxidation for sulfur production, proton reduction for hydrogen production, and electrochemical cells. Operational data shows that continuous operation for more than 1,000 hours has achieved complete conversion of hydrogen sulfide (hydrogen sulfide in the exhaust gas < 1 ppm), with product sulfur purity > 99.95% and hydrogen purity > 99.999%. It not only eliminates the pollution caused by hydrogen sulfide but also realizes the resource utilization of pollutants, achieving significant social and economic benefits. 

"The off-site electro-catalytic full decomposition of hydrogen sulfide for hydrogen production and sulfur technology" is a pioneering technology with independent intellectual property rights. It provides a brand-new approach for the complete elimination and resource utilization of hydrogen sulfide, effectively handling pollution emissions such as hydrogen sulfide, protecting the environment, achieving dual resource utilization benefits of "hydrogen production + sulfur", and broadening the production path of clean and low-carbon hydrogen in the industrial sector. At the same time, this technology also plays a positive role in promoting China's hydrogen energy industry and the construction of a low-carbon energy system, with both environmental and economic benefits. 

Off-site electrocatalytic full decomposition of hydrogen sulfide for hydrogen production and sulfur industry demonstration plant