Photocatalytic conversion of hydrogen sulfide to hydrogen
A system for photocatalytic conversion includes a flowline, in which a production flow travels in a flow direction; and a reactor module. The reactor module includes a waveguide; a photocatalyst coupled to the waveguide, configured to convert hydrogen sulfide in the production flow to hydrogen and sulfur; a heater configured to heat a bottom of the reactor module, such that the sulfur is in liquid phase; and a sulfur collector configured to collect the sulfur. A method for photocatalytic conversion includes introducing a production flow from a flowline to a reactor module, the production flow including hydrogen sulfide and traveling in a flow direction; directing a light from a light source to a photocatalyst through a waveguide; converting the hydrogen sulfide into hydrogen and sulfur using the photocatalyst; and heating a portion of the reactor module to an elevated temperature, the sulfur in a liquid phase under the elevated temperature.
1 . A system for photocatalytic conversion, comprising:
a flowline, in which a production flow travels in a flow direction; and
a reactor module,
wherein the reactor module comprises:
a waveguide;
a photocatalyst coupled to the waveguide, configured to convert hydrogen sulfide in the production flow to hydrogen and sulfur;
a heater configured to heat a bottom of the reactor module, such that the sulfur is in liquid phase; and
a sulfur collector configured to collect the sulfur.
2 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a light source configured to generate a light directed to the photocatalyst through the waveguide.
3 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a tubing configured to guide the sulfur to the sulfur collector, wherein at least a portion of the tubing is curved.
4 . The system of claim 3 , further comprising a valve disposed at an uppermost point of the portion of the tubing that is curved.
5 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising one or more of a first outlet for the hydrogen, a second outlet for the sulfur, and a third outlet for a residue of the production flow.
6 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a permeation filter configured to allow selective permeation of the hydrogen.
7 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a filter configured to remove unreacted hydrogen sulfide.
8 . The system of claim 7 , wherein the filter comprises porous silicon carbide doped with aluminum or copper.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the photocatalyst is in form of nanoparticles and is embedded in a cladding of the waveguide.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the photocatalyst is in form of a thin film and is coated on an outer surface of the waveguide.
11 . A method for photocatalytic conversion, comprising:
introducing a production flow from a flowline to a reactor module, wherein the production flow includes hydrogen sulfide and travels in the flowline in a flow direction;
directing a light from a light source to a photocatalyst through a waveguide;
converting the hydrogen sulfide into hydrogen and sulfur using the photocatalyst; and
heating a portion of the reactor module to an elevated temperature, wherein the sulfur is in a liquid phase under the elevated temperature.
12 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising directing the sulfur in the liquid phase to a sulfur collector through a tubing having a curved portion.
13 . The method of claim 12 , further comprising controlling a valve disposed at an uppermost point of the curved portion of the tubing.
14 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising directing the hydrogen to a hydrogen collector.
15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising filtering unreacted hydrogen sulfide before the directing the hydrogen to the hydrogen collector.
16 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising allowing selective permeation of the hydrogen before the directing the hydrogen to the hydrogen collector.
17 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising directing a residue of the production flow to a gas-oil separation plant.