A proton-conducting solid state H2S–O2 fuel cell. 3. Operation using H2S–hydrocarbon mixtures as anode feed

A H2S–O2 electrochemical cell has been operated for periods up to 10 days using mixtures of H2S with hydrocarbons as anode feed, without loss of activity. The anode catalysts include supported metals, such as Pd/C and Pt/C, and metal sulfides, including MoS2, CoS2 and WS2 admixed with teflonized carbon. When the feed is a mixture of H2S with methane and ethane, the hydrocarbons are not oxidized. The performance of a MoS2–C anode catalyst is unaffected by either hydrocarbons or CO2 in the feed. In contrast, Pd/C anode catalyst gradually loses activity when the feed is a mixture of H2S with both hydrocarbons and CO2. Sustainable power generation of 250 μW/cm2 has been attained using 3% H2S/97% CH4. Sulfur is recovered as liquid product at 120–145°C and 235–510 kPa.