Q22.66CP

Question

The production of S8 from the H2 S( g) for step 2, found in natural gas deposits occurs through the Claus process (Section 22.5):

(a) Use these two unbalanced steps to write an overall balanced equation for this process:

  1. H2S(g) + O2(g)S8(g) + SO2(g) + H2O(g)
  2. H2S(g) + SO2(g)S8(g) + H2O(g))
    (b)  Write the overall reaction with Cl2 as the oxidizing agent instead of O2. Use thermodynamic data to show whether Cl2(g) can be used to oxidize  H2S(g).
    (c) Why is oxidation by  preferred to oxidation by  Cl2?

Step-by-Step Solution

Verified
Answer

 

 (a) The overall balanced reaction should be: 8H2 S(g)+2O2(g)S8(g)+8H2O(g).

(b) The overall reaction with Cl2 as the oxidizing agent instead of O2is: 8H2 S( g)+8Cl2(g)S8(g)+16HCl(g). It is also spontaneous at low temperatures because the reaction with Cl2is exothermic and the overall entropy of the process lowers. It is, for example, spontaneous at As a result, this reaction can likewise be used for the production.

(c) As a by-product of the reaction with Cl2 a large amount of HCL is produced. Because requires special treatment, it is preferable to use O2 which produces merely water

1Step 1: Concept Introduction

The Claus method is used to handle gas streams with high concentrations of H2S(over 50%). The units' chemistry includes hydrogen sulphide partial oxidation to sulphur dioxide and the catalytically stimulated coupling of H2Sand SO2 to generate elemental sulphur.

2Step 2: Combine two responses into a single one

(a)

We have to synchronizing every reaction at first, 

  1. 16H2 S(g)+16O2(g)S8(g)+8SO2(g)+16H2O(g)
  2. 16H2 S(g)+8SO2(g)3 S8(g)+16H2O(g)

Combining these two responses into a single reaction is now possible.

16H2 S( g)+16O2(g)+16H2 S( g)+8SO2(g)S8( g)+8SO2( g)+16H2O(g)+3 S8(g)+16H2O(g)

On both lines, cross out the terms that are repeated.

32H2 S(g)+16O2(g)4 S8(g)+32H2O(g)

Therefore, after reducing the coefficients, the resulting balanced reaction would be:

8H2 S( g)+2O2( g)S8( g)+8H2O(g)

3Step 3: Write the overall reaction with Cl 2 as the oxidizing agent instead of O 2

(b)

Let’s synchronize every reaction at first, 

  1. H2 S(g)+Cl2(g)S8(g)+SCl2(g)+HCl(g)
  2. H2 S(g)+SCl2(g)S8(g)+HCl(g)

Combining these two responses into a single reaction is now possible.

H2S(g)+Cl2(g)+H2S(g)+SCl2(g)S8(g)+SCl2(g)+HCl(g)+S8(g)+HCl(g)

On both lines, cross out the terms that are repeated.

2H2S(g)+Cl2(g)2S8(g)+2HCl(g)

By equating the number of  S molecules on both sides of the formula and rectifying the H number, the reaction can be balanced.

16H2S(g)+16Cl2(g)2S8(g)+32HCl(g)

Finally, the coefficients are minimized.

Therefore, the overall reaction with Cl2 the oxidizing agent instead of O2 is:

8H2S(g)+8Cl2(g)S8(g)+16HCl(g)

To compare the thermodynamic data, first calculate the enthalpy and entropy of each conceivable reaction, then compare the Gibb's energy for both processes:

Computing the enthalpy and entropy of the process using Appendix B for the O2 reaction.

ΔHrxn=ΔHproducts -ΔHreactants ΔHrxn=1 mol×ΔHS8+8 mol×ΔHH2O--8 mol×ΔHH2S+2 mol×ΔHO2

ΔHrxn=[1 mol×101.00 kJ/mol+8 mol×(-241.826)kJ/mol]-[8 mol×(-20.20)kJ/mol+2 mol×0.00 kJ/mol]ΔHrxn=-1672.008 kJ

Therefore, the value of  ΔHrxn=-1672.008 kJ

Then, find the value of ΔSrxn

ΔSrxn=ΔSproducts -ΔSreactants ΔSrxn=1 mol·ΔSS8+8 mol·ΔSH2O--8 mol·ΔSH2S+2 mol·ΔSO2ΔSrxn=1 mol·430.211Jmol·K+8 mol·188.72Jmol·K--8 mol·205.60Jmol·K+2 mol·205.00Jmol·KΔSrxn=-114.829JK=-0.114829kJK

Therefore, the value of ΔSrxn=-0.114829kJK

The Gibb's energy for is then,

ΔG25=-1672.008 kJ-(25+273)K·-0.114829kJKΔG25=-1637.789 kJ

At low temperatures, the reaction with O2 is spontaneous because it is exothermic (ΔH<0) and the overall entropy of the process reduces. It is, for example, spontaneous at   25°C

Computing the enthalpy and entropy of the process using Appendix B for the reaction Cl2.

ΔHrxn=1 mol·ΔHS8+16 mol·ΔH(HCl)--8 mol·ΔHH2S+8 mol·ΔHCl2

ΔHrxn=[1 mol·101.00 kJ/mol+16 mol·(-92.31)kJ/mol]--[8 mol·(-20.20)kJ/mol+8 mol·0.00 kJ/mol]ΔHrxn=-1214.36 kJ

Therefore, the value of  ΔHrxn=-1214.36 kJ

Find the value of ΔSrxn

ΔSrxn=1 mol·ΔSS8+16 mol·ΔS(HCl)--8 mol·ΔSH2S+8 mol·ΔSCl2ΔSrxn=1 mol·430.211Jmol·K+16 mol·186.79Jmol·K--8 mol·205.60Jmol·K+8 mol·223.00Jmol·KΔSrxn=-9.949JK=-0.009949kJK

Therefore, the value of  ΔSrxn=-0.009949kJK

The Gibb's energy for 25°C is then,

ΔG25=-1214.36 kJ-(25+273)K·-0.009949kJKΔG25=-1217.325 kJ

At low temperatures, the reaction with Cl2 is spontaneous because it is exothermic (ΔH<0) and the overall entropy of the  process reduces. 

4Step 6: Reason to prefer the oxidation by O 2

(c)

The O2 reaction's equilibrium temperature is:

ΔG=-1672.008 kJ-T K·-0.114829kJK=0T=-1672.008 kJ-0.114829kJKT=14560 K

The response would be non-spontaneous over 14560 K.

 The equilibrium temperature for the Cl2 process is:

ΔG=-1214.36 kJ-T K·-0.009949kJKT=-1214.36 kJ-0.009949kJKT=122058.5 K

The response would be non-spontaneous over 122058.5 K.

Because thermodynamics cannot provide a solution (because both reactions would occur spontaneously in industrial conditions), the results of the reactions should be evaluated.

The by-product of oxygen is water, whereas chlorine gas produces a large amount of hydrochloric acid HCl

Because HCl is a hazardous chemical, working with it necessitates extra caution. Additionally, the manufacturing of large quantities of HCl  necessitated specific storage and handling. 

Therefore, O2 is the recommended oxidation method.