Profile
The main objective of this PhD research is to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the H₂S molecule, a common and highly toxic pollutant in the process industry that cannot be released into the atmosphere. This study aims to explore innovative strategies for its abatement and the subsequent utilization of its hydrogen content, compared to conventional approaches, in alignment with the principles of circularity. Two alternatives are investigated: the thermal splitting of H₂S for hydrogen recovery and the decomposition of H₂S in the presence of CO₂ for syngas synthesis (H2 and CO). The study is multi-level and conducted at different scales: kinetic, reactor, and process scale. Thermodynamic analyses are conducted to assess the limits and yields of the reactions.
The optimal operating conditions are identified. Then, the detailed modeling and design of the reactors, including their characteristic dimensions, is performed to simulate real units under real operative conditions. The investigated technologies are, then, integrated into real process-scale frameworks to evaluate their feasibility at an industrial scale, considering different processes. Finally, the feasibility of implementing these technologies is assessed through a techno-economic and environmental analysis, considering different key performance indicators.