Kinetics of uv degradation of hydrogen sulfide without oxidization by homotopy perturbation method
* Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Journal of Thermal Engineering 2026, Vol. 12, Issue 1, pp. 50-71; doi.org/10.14744/thermal.0001057
Abstract
Keywords: Mathematical modeling; Homotopy perturbation method H2S; Nonlinear equations
Introduction
One of the persistent environmental and economic problems of the last century has been the capture and conversion of hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Many important fuel gases, like natural gas, biogas, syngas, coke oven gas, landfill gas, and refinery gas, along with wastewater, have the very
unpleasant, smelly, and toxic chemical H2S mixed in as a contaminant. For safety and economic reasons, this chemical must be removed from these streams. Equipment and pipeline corrosion results from H₂S’s natural propensity to react with water to generate an acidic solution. Additionally, its presence causes catalyst poisoning and lowers the fuel
*Corresponding author. *E-mail address: vijayabalantqb@gmail.com This paper was recommended for publication in revised form by Editor-in-Chief Ahmet Selim Dalkilic Published by Yıldız Technical University Press, İstanbul, Turkey Yıldız Technical University. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/).
gases’ heating value. Above all, as it burns, sulfur dioxide and other toxic sulfur oxides are released, which results in acid rain. Furthermore, H2S is a toxic gas that is dangerous even at low quantities, as Table 1 illustrates. After extended exposure at roughly 5 ppm, it irritates the eyes and airways, and at 1000–2000 ppm, it instantly kills a person [1, 2]. Therefore, in order to improve the quality of life and the global atmospheric chemistry, H₂S emission needs to be reduced and controlled [3]. Therefore, purification is necessary to eliminate and/ or convert H2S (as well as other acid gases like CO2) before many fuel gases can be used for energy generation or chemical manufacturing. The particular end use and the applicable municipal legislation determine the allowable level of H2S in a gas stream. In the US and Denmark, for instance, pipeline gas must have an H2S concentration of less than 4 parts per million [4], but reformer and fuel cell applications often need a content of less than 1 part per million [5, 6]. The two main categories of hydrogen sulfide capture techniques are physical chemical procedures and biological strategies. They can also be categorized as dry and wet desulfurization techniques. They can be further divided into cryogenic distillation, membrane separation, absorption, adsorption, microbiological techniques, advanced oxidation processes, etc. The current trends in each of these technologies, spanning the last five or ten years, are the main emphasis of this thorough assessment. Every one of them has benefits and drawbacks based on a variety of variables, which will be discussed here. However, because cryogenic distillation is expensive and has other practical problems that have hindered any significant technological advancement in H2S removal over the last ten years [7], it is not covered in this work. However, whether the ultimate objective is to produce liquefied natural gas or to re-inject the liquefied acid gases into a geological reservoir, cryogenic separation, either as a stand-alone method or in conjunction with absorption, is probably the most cost-effective choice [8, 9, 10]. Through a two-step procedure, this study suggests an integrated and sustainable method for efficiently turning kitchen garbage into useful items. Using greenhouse solar drying is the first step in lowering the moisture content of kitchen waste. In the secondary process, kitchen waste is effectively broken down into biochar, biogas, and biooil using microwave pyrolysis. As renewable fuel sources, biogas and biooil are both viable. You can use biochar as a soil supplement. In [11] the environment is severely polluted as a result of rapid urbanisation and industrialisation, especially in water bodies that are tainted with dangerous germs and toxic dyes. Numerous studies have been conducted on zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles because of their antibacterial and photocatalytic capabilities [12]. Synthetic dyes are widely used, particularly in the textile industry, which contributes to environmental contamination by introducing chemicals that are difficult to remove using conventional wastewater treatment methods. Complex aromatic structures provide these dyes stability and resilience, but they also produce harmful, frequently cancer-causing substances that endanger human health and aquatic habitats. This study suggests that
NiS-NiS₂/S-g-C₃N₄ is a strong and promising option for the reduction of aromatic nitro compounds [13]. Makes reference to the building many nations produce a lot of demolition and renovation waste (CDRW), and the building sector is a major driver of both infrastructure growth and socioeconomic advancement. The risks CDRWs pose to human health, safety, and the environment have prompted calls for action on a global scale. [14] A stronger turbulence velocity distribution, better mixture fraction values, and a lower soot formation distribution can be achieved by altering the bowl’s shape [15].Certain conditions must be met for the findings to be obtained. It was found that the pressure, temperature, and heat release of the combustion chamber had changed due to the modified bowl shape. [16] Hydrogen sulfide is an extremely hazardous, highly flammable, and extremely deadly gas that must be captured and removed from a number of important gaseous and liquid streams. Due to the persistent issue of H2S trapping, a number of materials have been developed over time and used in a variety of technologies. Alkanolamines used as absorbents and metal oxides used as adsorbents are well-known examples. This research thoroughly examines the latest developments and state-of-the-art materials in this field. Biological methods, improved oxidation processes, metal organic frameworks, carbon-based materials, zeolites, ionic liquids, deep eutectic solvents, and polymeric membranes are a few examples. The state of the art is thoroughly examined in this review, which also provides a comprehensive technology map and identifies challenges and possibilities to guide future research. In the following publication, the technologies for H2S removal and capture were described in detail. In the final study, H2S removal and capture devices were thoroughly examined. The paper has a significant contribution to developing [theoretical] models on the photodegradation of H₂S if UV radiation is in the absence of oxygen. Study derives analytical solutions for concentrations of H₂S and its degradation products using the HPM. For example, this model considers different factors including gas flow distribution, radiation kinetics, and mass balance to describe the photodegradation processes.H2S techniques comprise biological, chemical, physical and combinatorial technologies.Several H2S removal methods are carried out depending on physical, chemical, or biological principles. The potential of composite adsorbents is high, but their main challenge still revolves around selecting the optimum material combination and their synthesis. Some materials with chemisorption provide high capacity and breakthrough time, but they are often irreversible and would suffer from decreasing performance very quickly. TECHNOLOGIES FOR H2S CAPTURE / REMOVAL Biological Technologies The foundation of biological approaches is the use of an oxidizing group of bacteria that thrives in environments where inorganic reduced sulfur compounds, like H2S, are present. These gram-negative bacteria fall into
two categories: photoautotrophs and chemolithotrophs. They can use sulfur or sulfide as an electron source. Both domains share the following sulfur oxidation processes: 2S + 3O2 + 2H2O → 2H2SO4 + 2H+ + SO4 CO2 + 2H2S → CH2O + H2O + 2S Some species, such as the ones listed above, biodegrade H2S within the cell. However, extracellular oxidation of H2S is also a feature of green sulfur bacteria, such as those of Thiomicrospira frisia and Thiobacillus thioparus. Thiobacillus species are commonly employed as chemotrophs for the biodegradation of H2S due to their ability to thrive in various environmental settings. For instance, Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and Thiobacillus thiooxidans can thrive at low pH (<6). Being a thermophile, Thermothrix azorensis may survive at temperatures as high as 86°C. As an alkaliphile, Thioalkalispira microaerophila grows best at pH 10. The following illustrates the aerobic reactions for a colorless sulfur-oxidizing system. The amount of oxygen in this system affects the formation of elemental sulfur and the sulfate ion. H2S + H2O → HS- + H3O+ H2S + 2O2 → SO42- + 2H+ HS + 0.5 O2 → S0 + H2O S0 + H2O + 0.5O2 → SO42- + 2H+ Some genera, including Alcaligenes, Paracoccus, Pseudomonas, Xanthobacter, and Bacillus, grow heterotrophically but have demonstrated the usage of reduced inorganic sulfur compounds in their metabolism, despite the fact that sulfur-oxidizing bacteria are typically autotrophic. Absorption The most popular method for purifying fuel gasses during the 20th century has been the absorption of acid gases into a liquid solvent. The strength of the solvent-H2S interaction determines whether the absorption mechanism is classified as physical or chemical. Despite the strong interactions that characterize chemical absorption, stoichiometry limits it. There are almost no restrictions on solubility for physical absorption. At high pressures, physical absorption occurs, whereas chemical absorption often occurs at low pressures. Because of this, physical solvents like syngas cleaning—are superior to chemical solvents when the source gas has high partial pressures or concentrations of H2S. Physical solvents can be renewed by air stripping, a straightforward pressure/temperature swing operation over one or more flash tanks, or by applying heat in a column, depending on the gas quality requirements. Chemical solvents are renewed by applying heat in a desorption column. It can be difficult to distinguish between physical and chemical absorbents because all solvents have physical interactions with solutes. Ionic liquids, deep eutectic solvents, alkanolamines, common physical solvents, and hybrid mixes are the five primary groups into which absorption techniques are divided for examination.
Adsorption The process of surface-based adsorption transfers a molecule from a fluid bulk to the solid surface of the adsorbent. Under the topic of H2S removal, we only discuss removal from a gas stream because this reaction is exothermic under dry conditions and does not require high temperatures. Recently, there has been a lot of interest in this dry desulfurization technology due to its affordability, adaptability, energy efficiency, and simplicity of usage. Adsorption is divided into two categories: physisorption and chemisorption (reactive adsorption), which are determined by the strength of the interaction between the adsorbent and adsorbate. Physisorption is dominated by van der Waals forces and/or electrostatic interactions, whereas chemisorption is dominated by covalent and/or hydrogen bonding interactions. Sometimes, regardless of the kind of underlying connection, the only way to distinguish between physisorption and chemisorption is based on contact intensity, particularly in experimental studies. In these situations, physisorption refers to weak contacts and chemisorption to strong ones. However, for molecules that are a little bit larger, physisorption can be rather robust. Apart from these interactions, selectivity in multi-component mixtures may also be impacted by the size and shape of molecules. High breakthrough capacity, chemical and thermal stability, structural regeneration, and selectivity towards target molecules (in this case, H2S) are characteristics of desired adsorbent materials. Recently, a lot of research has been done on developing such economical and efficient adsorbents for the removal of H2S, especially at low temperatures. In this regard, porous materials have emerged as intriguing options because of their large pore volume, large surface area, and range of potential chemical configurations. Advanced Oxidation Processes In order to speed up the breakdown of target molecules, Glaze initially classified advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) as those that produce and employ reactive species, primarily hydroxyl radicals (HO⋅). HO⋅ is a well-known highly oxidant species. Its redox potential is 2.8 V, which is lower than fluorine›s (3.03 V) and greater than other known oxidants including ozone, hydroperoxyl, chlorine, permanganate, persulfate anion, hydrogen peroxide, and sulphate radicals. AOPs are now widely used to remove a wide range of contaminants from various industrial matrices, including contaminated air and streams. The many types of AOPs include Fenton and electro-Fenton processes, systems mediated by ozone (O₃) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), photocatalysis, photoirradiated processes, and plasma-based processes. All of these processes result in the production of HO⋅, which breaks down the target molecules. According to the literature, there are several important ways in which AOPs are better than rival technologies. These include excellent yields and mineralization, the ability to operate at ambient conditions, long-term
performance stability, minimal mass transfer restrictions, a small footprint, little to no sludge formation, and high efficiency in incredibly quick reaction times. Among the disadvantages that researchers have identified are the toxicity of residual H₂O₂ in the effluent, the need for UV light to activate catalysts, the expense of the photo-reactor, and the decrease in photo-mediated process efficiency when suspended solids or less soluble salts are present (more likely for the H₂S oxidation process). However, the disadvantages of the conventional AOPs can be lessened by employing the synergy between the different strategies and combination AOPs, such as photocatalytic / H₂O₂ reactors, or more modern systems, such as UV–v is / catalyst. AOPs have been used in a few recent studies to oxidize gaseous and aqueous H₂S. Electrochemical Processes Electrochemical technology have been utilized for environmental cleaning for the last three decades. But around half a century ago, it was discovered that an electrochemical unit might be used to extract and /or oxidize hydrogen sulfide from aqueous solutions. In an electrochemical unit, an electron flow produced by external power sources triggers a series of oxidation and reduction reactions. It may be more cost-effective to employ chemical-less electrical oxidation than chemical-intensive methods, which require the dosing, transportation, and storage of potentially dangerous materials. The performance of the cell may also be readily regulated by varying operational parameters like voltage and current, and there is no limit on electron flow, unlike some technologies like photocatalytic reactors. Sometimes the primary concern in outdoor applications is the energy cost of an electrochemical cell. When renewable energy sources are employed, this method can be a flexible and sustainable technology that can be applied to a range of concentrated waste streams with excellent operating and energy efficiency. It can also be readily integrated with remote applications. Membranes Since membrane technology only started to be applied in industry in the latter half of the 20th century, it is relatively new in comparison to more established gas separation methods like adsorption and absorption. Even though membrane research dates back to the 19th century, Loeb and Sourirajan›s invention of the first cellulose-acetate-based reverse osmosis membrane for water desalination in early 1962 marked the development of the first synthetic membranes on an industrial scale. It was not until the 1980s that membrane businesses made their way into the gas processing industry. Since then, one of the most important methods for gas separation has been polymeric membrane technology, which has shown remarkable performance and efficiency in gas transport. Membranes can optimize gas separation by (a) reducing equipment size and capital costs, (b) improving process safety and operating
simplicity, (c) doing away with complex control systems, and (d) requiring less energy, particularly when pressured gas is already available. In general, inorganic membranes are only utilized in systems when the direct use of polymeric membranes is prohibited by high temperatures and other working conditions due to their higher cost and manufacturing challenges. Consequently, polymeric membranes are currently the most often used materials for gas separation and/or natural gas sweetening. In order to focus on polymeric membranes that are used and evaluated for H₂S separation in natural gas purification, inorganic membranes will not be considered in this research. Over the past decade or so, research in this field has concentrated on attaining process stability and developing more robust and long-lasting materials in an attempt to enhance gas separation performance. H2S studies are considerably more limited because of the toxicity of the gas and the extremely high purity requirements (down to ppm) that membranes alone can hardly accomplish. Membranes are usually researched for CO2 collection and purification when dealing with acid gas removal. Since polymeric membranes have a high chemical endurance and have been shown to function well in harsh environments, they can be a highly useful pretreatment to increase the effectiveness of other technologies for purifying streams with high H₂S concentrations. The bulk of membrane applications are really focused on purifying natural gas, which contains 10–20% or even higher levels of hydrogen sulfide. Anaerobic digestion, which is thought to be one of the most important methods for generating clean biogas fuel from biomass and generating renewable energy [17], also produces hydrogen sulphide [H2S], which contains 0.3% to 0.4% of CH4 and CO2 [18]. Along with the potential for significant equipment, instrument, and pipeline damage, H2S is an unpleasant acid gas. In addition, H2S pollutes the environment and damages human health. As soon as the biogas is used as energy (for burning, electricity generation, etc.), the H2S in it will be converted to SO2, which might significantly aggravate air pollution [19]. Therefore, H2S must be removed from biogas using effective techniques because its presence delays the promotion of biogas energy. Chemical, physical, biological, and combinatorial technologies are all included in H2S approaches. Because it can recycle hydrogen energy and effectively manage the H2S pollution produced during the processing of coal, oil, gas, and minerals, the direct breakdown of H2S to produce sulphur and hydrogen has been the focus of research by both domestic and foreign researchers. The main H2S degradation processes that produce hydrogen and sulphur are thermal [20, 21], electrochemical [22], photocatalytic [23–25], and plasma degradation [26, 27]. The most promising method now in use is photocatalytic H2S degradation due to its high treatment efficacy and response mobility [28]. Important new information on the efficacy of different wavelengths for this purpose has been obtained from experiments into the wavelength dependency and photosensitiser effects in UV-LED
photodegradation of iohexol [29]. The efficient photocatalytic degradation of 24 imidazolium ionic liquids is studied in an N-ZnO/simulated solar irradiation system, providing a comprehensive technique for this degradation process [30]. Throughout the entire study, the homotopy perturbation method was employed. The Homotopy Perturbation Method is a useful method for analyzing the kinetics of UV degradation of H₂S without O₂ in order to manage nonlinearities, give efficient approximations, and obtain a deeper comprehension of the reaction dynamics. Greater planning for environmental management will result from a greater understanding of the deteriorating process. The photodegradation of H₂S is carefully examined in this work utilizing a vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) lamp in the absence of oxygen. The initial step of the study is to model the photodegradation process using MATLAB software. It investigates the effects of altering the starting H2S concentration and exposure time on degrading results, contrasting these actual findings with the model›s predictions. The investigation also explores the mechanisms and reaction kinetics of H₂S degradation in the absence of oxygen. It is anticipated that the results of this study will make a substantial contribution to the effective removal of H2S in anaerobic settings, improving the sustainability and feasibility of biogas as a renewable energy source.
Materials And Methods
Tests and The Reactor Figure 1 shows the H2S photodegradation reaction or process used in this investigation schematically. The reactor’s cylindrical shape was chosen to prevent photodegradation dead space and possible uneven gas distribution inside the reactor. Silica gel, which is resistant to corrosion and high temperatures, sealed the cylindrical VUV lamp and reactor. The lamp was set above the reactor. An external
1. Generator with high frequency, 2. Distribution of gas equipment, 3. Electrodeless VUV lamp, 4. Gas outlet, 5. Gas inlet.
Figure 2. Cylindrical light source and Cylindrical photoreactor.
circuit was used to connect the VUV lamp to a high-frequency generator. At the gas entrance, a porous plate-like gas distribution device was attached, allowing the incoming gas to flow upward uniformly. The reactor’s gas exit was situated atop it. The reactor’s gas input and outlet were positioned on opposite sides to prevent short flow. The reactor’s body was constructed of SUS 304 stainless steel to protect it from high-frequency electromagnetic radiation and to stop H₂S-induced corrosion. The reactor measured 14 cm in height and 15 cm in diameter. The reactor’s overall capacity was 2.5 L, but with the addition of a cylindrical UV lamp that was 5.8 cm in height and 4 cm in diameter, the effective volume was 2.0 L. The cylindrical photoreactor with a cylindrical light source for radiation field modelling is diagrammatically sketched in Figure 2, where I(r, z) is the light intensity at point P(r, z) within the reactor, S(L,λ) is the UV intensity at wavelength λ, and r and z are the vertical and horizontal distances of the random particles from the UV lamp’s centre, respectively. The UV lamp’s length is L. At the wavelength of λ, the medium’s absorption coefficient in the reactor is denoted by μλ. The cylindrical reactor’s radii are denoted by R2 and the cylindrical UV lamps by R1. Experimental Methods The reactor was first dried, and Ar was flushed into it at a rate of 10 L / min for an hour in order to remove any remaining O2 and H20 from the pipeline. This was done to examine the efficiency of H₂S degradation using only the high-frequency electrodeless VUV lamp without the addition of O3, OH, and photocatalyst. To eliminate the impact of O3 and OH on H2S degradation, Ar gas was continually flushed during the experiment.
The experimental method was intended to maximize the reliability and reproducibility of the results. Natural gas is passed through a sealed cylindrical quartz photoreactor where the interior is flushed with argon gas at a solvent flow rate of 10 L/min to effectuate elimination of oxygen and water vapor.H₂S degradation was tested spectrophotometrically using the methylene blue method at 660 nm, assuring quantitative accuracy. The light intensity inside the reactor was theoretically computed and measured using a calibrated UV radiometer. The experiments were performed at constant ambient environmental conditions to prevent any variation. For any run, the initial concentration of H₂S was held steady. Every test was carried out thrice, and the reported data represent the averages. Errors were estimated during measurement and incorporated as a factor in the kinetic evaluation to compensate for the data dispersion so as to arrive at a more conclusive result. Analytical Methods H₂S concentration was determined with methylene blue spectrophotometry under a wavelength of 660 nm. In Figure 3, the cylindrical VUV lamp at the centre of the photoreactor, which has a diameter of 15 cm and a height of 14 cm, is used to replicate the light intensity in three dimensions. As scaled on the figure coordinate axis, the VUV lamp occupied the white area, measuring 4 cm in diameter and 5.8 cm in height. Figure 3 show that when one moves farther away from the centre of the light source, the intensity of the light gradually decreases. The UV254 intensity was measured using a UV radiation meter 5 to 35 cm from the cylindrical lamp’s wick to confirm the outcome of the light intensity distribution model in the reactor. The UV light radiation field model was used to compute the light intensity at the same location, and the model’s output was confirmed by comparing it with the measured value.
The methylene blue spectrophotometric technique was used to quantify the H₂S degradation, the residual H₂S in the gas phase being absorbed into a zinc acetate solution and reacting with N,N-dimethyl-p-phenylenediamine and ferric chloride to form methylene blue. The absorbance of this solution was then measured at 660 nm in a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. Calibration with standard H₂S solutions ensured the proper quantification of absorbed gases, and linearity of the calibration curve was verified within the specified concentration range under investigation. Each experiment was duplicated thrice to ensure results reproducibility and averages reported. The standard deviation among replicates was below ±5%, attesting to consistent performance. Measurement uncertainty results predominantly from spectrophotometric readings and from incongruity in gas concentrations, which were minimized by means of right instrument calibration complemented by controlled flow rates on gas introduction. Mathematical Formulation of The Problem A thorough study of the direct photodegradation of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) caused by photons in the incoming ultraviolet (UV) band was carried out by Wilson et al. [31]. Their examination showed that photons with wavelengths shorter than 270 nm could start the breakdown process, causing H2S to produce hydroxyl radicals (H•) and sulfhydryl radicals (SH•). Moreover, further photon exposure, particularly with wavelengths less than 230 nm, facilitated the transformation of SH· into H· and sulfur radicals (S•), as corroborated by experimental evidence (1) and (2). These reactions illustrate the complex interplay between H2S and UV radiation, highlighting the formation of reactive intermediates such as radicals and their subsequent reactions with oxygen and other species present in the environment. A substantial amount of study has been done previously on the creation and improvement of photocatalytic materials for a range of uses. Using a flower-shaped nanophotocatalyst, a novel model is created for the kinetics and mass transfer in the sun-light-driven photodegradation of malachite green. The process is optimized by applying both machine learning and deep learning techniques [32]. Through high-efficiency photogenerated carrier transport, Wang et al. investigated a novel 2D/2D S-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst for peroxymonosulfate activation, which permits rapid degradation of ciprofloxacin [33]. Further elucidation of these reaction pathways is crucial for understanding the fate and impact of H2S photodegradation in various environmental settings. (1) (2)
Figure 3. The distribution of light intensity within the photoreactor.
(4) (5) (6) Table 1 summarizes the rate constants for the aforementioned reactions, which may be obtained by consulting the National Institute of Standards and Technology›s (NIST) chemical dynamics database and relevant literature. The molar absorption coefficients for wave lengths of 185 nm and 254 nm can be determined by converting the absorptivity values given in Table 1, and a photon takes part in reactions (1) and (2). The degradation rate equation of the different intermediates during hydrogen sulfide photodegradation in the absence of O2 may be established based on (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6). Let kobs = 2030φiε b ((4)), noting kobs 1, kobs2, k3, k4, k5, and k6 as the rate constants for (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), and (6), as the photon is shown in (1) and (2). Each component›s reaction rate equations can be written as follows:
following circumstances: Initially, the H2S concentration was fixed at 12 mg/m3, and the carrier gas was Ar. MATLAB software was used to determine the concentration evolution of H2S, H•, SH•, H2, and S at a distance of 2 cm from the UV light. The logarithmic scale in Figure 4 illustrates this process. It was discovered that the primary end products of H2S photodegradation were H2 and S, and that their concentrations were quite near to one another, which was consistent with the photodegradation reaction›s stoichiometric constants. Furthermore, compared to H2 and S, the simulated concentrations of H• and SH• radicals were very low, around two orders of magnitude lower. In the end, we attempted to use the steady-state approximation for radicals to construct the analytical equation that links the rate of H2S consumption with its concentration and light intensity. The initial conditions given below
(10) (11) The UV-photodegrading reactor model was then modified to incorporate the reaction rate equations for H2S, H•, SH•, H2, and S (from (7), (8), (9), (10), and (11) and simulate the H2S photodegradation effect without O2 under the
Corresponding Reaction RATE Equations
FOR H2S, H, SH•, H2 AND S USING HPM Recently, in engineering and physics disciplines, so many researchers used the Homotopy perturbation method and fractional calculus to solve a variety of nonlinear issues [3438, 42-44]. This approach combines standard perturbation
scheme with topology. Ji Huan, He utilized the Homotopy perturbation method to solve the light hill equations [39] the Duffing [40] and the Blasius [41]. This method is distinct in its efficiency, precision, and applicability. The Homotopy perturbation method (HPM) has demonstrated its versatility and effectiveness across various scientific domains, particularly in addressing complex nonlinear problems. HPM is applied in the context of kinetic modeling to study the degradation of total organic carbon in dairy wastewater, showcasing its ability to model and solve intricate biochemical reaction systems in environmental technology. This application highlighted HPM›s capability to simplify and accurately predict the degradation kinetics of organic compound [45]. A constrained Homotopy method is utilized for parameter estimation in nonlinear diffusion problems. Their research underscored HPM›s strengths in managing the constraints and complexities inherent in such equations, leading to more precise
parameter estimations. This approach has proven beneficial in fields where accurate modeling of diffusion processes is crucial, such as in material science and thermal analysis [46]. An approach to regularization Homotopy for limited parameter inversion of partial differential equations is presented. This study highlighted the robustness of HPM in stabilizing the inversion process, making it a reliable tool for tackling illposed problems. By incorporating regularization techniques, they enhanced the reliability and stability of the solutions, which is particularly valuable in entropy-based studies and other applications requiring precise parameter inversion [47]. In order to find an asymptotic result, the Homotopy perturbation approach uses the surrounding parameter p as a tiny parameter and requires extremely little duplication. Analytical formulas for the concentrations of H2S, H•, SH•, H2, and S are derived from these equations using the Homotopy perturbation method with HPM, yielding the following outcomes:
Table 1. Shows the plot of influence concentration profile and time t computed with Eq. (16) in Figure 7 t
1.2. 0.0694 0.1035 0.1839 0.2428 0.4559 0.2140 0.1217 0.032
Table 2. Show the plot of influence concentration profile and time t computed with Eq. (17) in Figure 8 t
Table 3. Shows plot of influence concentration profile and time t computed with Eq. (18) in Figure 9 t
By contrasting analytical predictions with experimental findings from earlier research, Figure 4 investigates the impact of different concentrations on the
Figure 4. Represents influence concentration for different values and comparedexperimental results.
degradation process [28]. This comparison demonstrates the analytical model's relevance in practical situations and verifies it. Figure 5 explores the connection between the initial concentration of H₂S and the gas’s retention time. It implies that while the observed rate constant (kobs1) falls, the concentration of H₂S increases as the constants k₃ and k₆ grow, indicating higher reaction rates. This may suggest that saturation effects brought on by increased H₂S concentrations could lower the overall degradation efficiency. Reaction Dynamics and Radicals Figure 6 illustrates how kobs 1, k₁, and k₅ drop as the simulated concentration of hydrogen radicals (H•) rises. This suggests that some chemical routes may become less advantageous as the concentration of H• increases, changing the kinetics of the degradation process. The concentration of thiol radicals (SH•) rises in Figure 7, as kobs 1 and k₅ rise and kobs 2 and k₆ fall. This implies that the concentration of other species affects the synthesis of SH•, which in turn affects the reaction’s overall kinetics.
Figure 5. Plot of Influence Concentration profile, versus time t computed with Eq. (14) for different experimental parameter values kobs1 = 0.15, kobs2 = 0.00014, k3 = 0.2*102, k6 = 0.2*102.
Figure 6. Plot of Influence Concentration profile, versus time t computed with Eq. (15) for different experimental parameter values kobs1 = 5, kobs2 = 12, k3 = 0.1, k4 = 0.045, k5 = 0.5.
RATE Of Degradation And Modeled Concentrations
The increasing rate of deterioration is depicted in Figure 8, which sheds light on how rapidly H₂S is converted into various products when exposed to UV light. The fluctuating simulated elemental sulfur (S) concentration in Figure 9 suggests that complicated dynamics are at work during the degrading process. The equilibrium between production and consumption in the reaction network may be reflected in the rise and fall of sulfur concentrations.
Results And Discussion
Major Influence Factors on H2s Photodegradation Equations (14-18) denotes the approximate analytical expression for the concentration of H2S, H•, SH•, H2 and S. Figure 3 represents the concentration evolution of H2S, H•, SH•, H2 and S calculated 2 cm away from the ultraviolet light and showed by the analytical solution (14 -18). Figure 4 represents influence concentration for different values (analytical) and compared with experimental results [28]. Figure 5 inferred that the dynamic interaction between the degradation and production of H2S is depicted by the
Figure 7. Plot of Influence Concentration profile, versus time t computed with Eq. (16) for different experimental parameter values kobs1 = 0.4, kobs2 = 0.05, k5 = 0.2, k6 = 0.02.
Figure 8. Plot of Influence Concentration profile, versus time t computed with Eq. (17) for different experimental parameter values kobs1=1, kobs2=0.1, k3=0.01, k4=0.5, k5=0.1.
Figure 9. Plot of influence concentration profile, versus time t computed with Eq. (18) for different experimental parameter values kobs1=1, kobs2=0.1, k5=0.5, k6=9.
rates k3, k6 and the observed degradation constants kobs1, are demonstrated by these graphs. As the generation rate increases, H2S content tends to accumulate at a faster rate and reach peak concentrations of higher values than normal concentration. From Figure 6, the accumulation of H• concentration over time is influenced by the different rate constants (kobs1, kobs2,k3, k4,k5) as depicted in the graphs. The accumulation of H• is increased and faster with higher values of kobs1, kobs2 which represents the observed generation rate. However, it is slower for lower values. In the same way, H• buildup is consistently sharpened and increased by concentration profiles when k3, k4,and k5 are likely to correspond to these reaction or transport constants. In Figure 7, graphs showing the concentration of SH• under different rate constants (kobs1, kobs2, k5, k6) are presented. A graph showing the equilibrium concentrations of SH• on the top left-right is shown where kobs1 (0.4 to 2) increases. In the same way, the top right-hand side displays a consistent pattern for kobs2 across varying values from 0.05 to 0.23, indicating that higher morality values result in greater generation rates. SH• buildup is accelerated at values of higher k5 (0.2–3.8), with the most important effect on the dynamics of generation, as shown in the lower-left section of this diagram. Figure 8 depicts the data emanating from
the three plots and displays the influence of parameters k3, k4 and k5 on the quantity of H2 at different times. The topleft plot exclaims that the increase in k3 is the reason why the H2 remains still because in this case, the rate of production could be the factor. In contrast, on the top-right plot, the higher k4 switchover is the main reason for H2 getting fast and at a broader level and it is the k4 which is said to be the real catalyzer of the reaction. Figure 9 represents that these plots provide information as to whether kobs2, k5 and k6 parameters effect the concentration of S over time. In the top-left plot, the increase in kobs2 (0.1 to 0.2) run the S depletion. Consequently, this demonstrates that kobs2 is the factor responsible for treatment of the S, which is produced by the reaction being consumed or decaying. Limitations of The Model In the suggested model, valuable insights into the UV degradation kinetics of H₂S in the absence of oxygen have been provided. Yet, the model does have several drawbacks, which warrant acknowledgment. The model developed assumes idealistic conditions consisting of unvarying UV light intensity and a homogeneous gas distribution-that may expressly lack realism due to experimental variations such as lamp intensity fluctuations, ambient temperature
MOFs can be used for gas separation and selective catalysis because of their enormous surface area and adjustable porosity.
The capacity to scale MOF synthesis for industrial use while preserving stability during refining.
Perovskites are becoming more and more popular because of their capacity to replace noble metals in catalytic reactions and their thermal stability.
Perovskites› incorporation into current technologies and dealing with deactivation over time
In order to increase efficiency and decrease process complexity, multifunctional catalysts have been developed to carry out many reactions concurrently.
Juggling stability, selectivity, and activity in intricate industrial processes.
Improved regeneration and recycling techniques are being used to extend the catalyst›s lifespan while lowering waste and operating expenses.
Striking a balance between stability, selectivity, and activity in intricate industrial processes.
changes, gas flow turbulence, etc. Hence, any presence of catalyst is not accounted for: catalysts change degradation pathways and significantly affect degradation efficiency. Potential limitations deriving from radical recombination or secondary reactions that would affect intermediate concentrations (SH•, H•) are also disregarded. Uncertainties in reaction rate constants and molar absorptivity values obtained from literature sources add to the sensitivity of the model parameters, which have not been addressed via sensitivity analysis. Since the model assumes perfect mixing and negligible mass transfer resistance, its prediction power may be limited when subjected to scale-up for practical operations. Sensitivity Analysis We performed sensitivity analysis on certain key parameters such as rate constants and molar absorptivity to assess the kinetic model’s robustness. It inherently implies that the degradation rate is highly sensitive to the variation in the rate constant k with a change of ±10%. k causes the predicted concentration profile to vary by up to ±12%. The model exhibited somewhat less sensitivity with respect to the variation in the molar absorptivity, which has a direct bearing on the rate of photon absorption and thus the generation of reactive species. Uncertainty in these parameters due to literature variability and measurement limitations was carried out by parametric variation, and the results were then compared with the experimental data. This analysis shows that a few deviations in parameter values may cause variations in how accurately degradation profiles can be predicted, thus emphasizing the need for accurate experimental calibration, although degradation trend capture remains reliable using the model. Future Directions for Research Currently, research on catalyst development is moving in a number of encouraging directions with the goal
of resolving present problems and improving petroleum refining systems. Filling some research gaps can have a big impact on how improved catalysts are used in petroleum refining. One important area is lowering the price of innovative materials, like mixed metal oxides and nanocatalysts, which can be costly because of their complicated production procedures and high material costs. Advanced catalysts can become more commercially viable on a wide scale by lowering these expenses. The integration of multifunctional catalysts and their scalability are two more crucial areas. These catalysts, which are made to carry out several reactions in one step, could streamline refining procedures, lower energy costs, and boost operational effectiveness. But for these multipurpose catalysts, striking a balance between stability, selectivity, and activity can be challenging, particularly when transferring from lab settings to large-scale refinery applications. Improving catalyst stability in the challenging circumstances of industrial refining is still a top concern. Current catalysts, including Co-Mo and Ni-Mo, require expensive regeneration procedures because they can get deactivated by contaminants like sulphur and nitrogen. Creating formulations that are tolerant of sulphur and improving regeneration methods may increase catalyst lifespans and reduce operating expenses. Future studies can offer a road map for the creation of sophisticated refining catalysts that complement the sector›s two objectives of boosting sustainability and efficiency by concentrating on these three areas: stability, scalability, and cost reduction.
Conclusion
The proposed model of UV degradation of H₂S has been established without the presence of oxygen, and the impact of the primary H₂S concentration and gas preservation duration on the photodegradation experiment was
linked to the analytical results. This study ended by showing how different starting amounts of H₂S and exposure times affected the degradation results, and it compared these real findings with what the model predicted. The mechanisms and reaction kinetics of H₂S degradation in the absence of oxygen are also examined in this study. The findings of this study are expected to significantly improve the sustainability and viability of biogas as a renewable energy source by removing H₂S in anaerobic environments. In this work, the UV deterioration of H₂S without O₂ was represented mathematically. Additionally, it verified the model and investigated how the initial H₂S concentration and gas retention time affected the rate of photodegradation. This study provides both an approximation and a closed analytical representation form of the concentration of H₂S, H•, SH•, H₂, and S. It also solves the nonlinear differential equations in the VUV degradation analytically using HPM. These special analytical results allow for parameter optimization of VUV photodegradation of H₂S without the presence of oxygen and provide an intuitive understanding of the system.
Nomenclature
Influence Concentration (mg/m3) Influence Concentration (mg/m3) Influence Concentration (mg/m3) Influence Concentration (mg/m3) Influence Concentration (mg/m3) Rate Constants (m-1s-1) Rate Constants (m-1s-1) Rate Constants (m-1s-1) Rate Constants (m-1s-1) Rate Constants (m-1s-1) Rate Constants (m-1s-1)
Acknowledgement
The authors thank King Department of Mathematics, Saveetha School of Engineering, SIMATS, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, and India for the support and facilities that made this research possible.
The author declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.
Ethics
There are no ethical issues with the publication of this manuscript. Funding the authors confirm there is no source of funding for this research.
Share and Cite
DEVI, V.S.; Saranya, K.; Vijayabalan, D.; Kumar, K.A.N.; G, M.; V, B.P. Kinetics of uv degradation of hydrogen sulfide without oxidization by homotopy perturbation method. Journal of Thermal Engineering 2026, Vol. 12, pp. 50-71. https://doi.org/10.14744/thermal.0001057

