Properties of Hydrogen Sulfide

As was mentioned earlier, there is significantly less data available for hydrogen sulfide than for carbon dioxide, particularly for the transport properties. This is partially because of the high toxicity of H2S, which makes it difficult to study in the laboratory. Therefore the data for carbon dioxide, combined with the principle of corresponding states, will be used to approximate the transport properties of H2S. 

Goodwin (1983) reviewed the thermodynamic properties of hydrogen sulfide. Using an advanced equation of state a table of properties was constructed over a wide range of pressures and temperatures. 

2 Calculate the Prandtl number for liquid hydrogen sulfide at 50°C. 

Answer The physical properties are taken from table 2.4  

°C) Vapor Pressure (MPa) Density (kg/m3) Heat Capacity (kJ/kg.K) Viscosity (cp) Thermal Conduct. (W/m-K) 

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Physical Properties. Hydrogen sulfide, H2S, is a colorless gas having a characteristic rotten-egg odor. The physical properties of hydrogen sulfide are given in Table 2. 

Table 2. Physical and Thermodynamic Properties of Hydrogen Sulfide...

Nesbitt, L. E., et al., Properties of hydrogen sulfide scavengers used in water-based drilling fluids, Proceedings of 36th Annual Technical Meeting of the Petroleum Society, Edmonton, Canada, June 2-5, 1985. 

Information regarding the physical and chemical properties of hydrogen sulfide is located in Table 3-2. 

Physical and Chemical Properties. Information is available on the physical and chemical properties of hydrogen sulfide (ACGIH 1991 Amoore and Hautala 1983 Budavari et al. 1996 HSDB 1998 Leonardos et al. 1969 Lide and Frederikse 1993 NIOSH 1997). However, additional information on those properties that determine the specific fate, transport, and rates of transformation of hydrogen sulfide as part of the larger sulfur cycle would be useful in discerning the environmental fate and behavior of this compound. 

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless, flammable gas at ambient temperature and pressure. It is an irritant and asphyxiant and has an offensive odor similar to rotten eggs. It has been reported that people can smell hydrogen sulfide at concentrations as low as 0.5 parts per billion (ppb) of air (ATSDR 1999). Hydrogen sulfide has an odor threshold of 0.02-0.13 parts per million (ppm) (Beauchamp et al. 1984). Olfactory fatigue (which causes a loss of odor perception) can occur at 100 ppm, and paralysis of the olfactory nerve has been reported at 150 ppm (Beauchamp et al. 1984). The chemical and physical properties of hydrogen sulfide are summarized in Table 7-1. 

In this chapter, techniques are presented for estimating the physical properties of fluids along with some recommended values for hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, methane, and water - the last two being the major impurities in acid gas. However, we will concentrate on the physical properties of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide and mixtures of these two components. 

Table 2.1 Some properties of hydrogen sulfide, carbon dioxide, methane, and water.

Calculate the injection pressure for a 50-50 mixture of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide. The reservoir is at a pressure of 2000 kPa, is at a depth of 750 m, and is isothermal at 20°C. Assume the acid gas will remain gaseous throughout the injection. Further assume (a) the gas is an ideal gas and (b) the gas is a real gas with properties described by the generalized compressibility chart. Take the properties of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide from table 2.1. 

TABLE 2-226 Thermodynamic Properties of Hydrogen Sulfide Concluded)... 

Sugio T, Mizunashi W, Inagaki K, Tano T (1987) Purification and some properties of sulfur ferric ion oxidoreductase from Thiobacillus ferrooxidans. J Bacteriol 169 4916-4922 Sugio T, Suzuki H, Ota A, Inagaki K, Tanaka H, Tano T (1991) Purification and some properties of hydrogen sulfide-binding protein that is involved in sulfur oxidation of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans. Agric Biol Chem 55 2091-2097... 

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