Performance of Sulfide-Driven Fuel Cell Aerated by Venturi Tube Ejector

Hydrogen sulfide is frequently met in natural waters, like mineral springs, but mostly it is found in marine water with low renewal rate. The Black Sea has extremely high hydrogen sulfide content. It can be utilized in different ways, but the most promising one is direct conversion into electricity. This result can be attained by a sulfide-driven fuel cell (SDFC), converting sulfide to sulfate thus releasing electric energy up to 24 GJ/t. One of the most important problems is the mass transfer limitation on oxygen transfer in the cathode space of the fuel cell. This problem can be solved using a gas diffusion electrode or highly efficient saturation by oxygen in an ejector of the Venturi tube type. This work presents experimental data in laboratory-scale SDFC for sulfide conversion into sulfate, sulfite and polysulfide releasing different amounts of electric energy. Two types of aeration are tested: direct air blow and Venturi-tube ejector. Besides pure graphite, two catalysts, i.e., cobalt spinel and zirconia-doped graphite were tested as anodes. Experiments were carried out at initial sulfide concentrations from 50 to 300 mg/L. Sulfate, sulfite and thiosulfate ions were detected in the outlet solutions from the fuel cell. The electrochemical results show good agreement with the chemical analyses. Most of the results show attained high efficiencies of the fuel cell, i.e. up to 80%. The practical applications of this method can be extended for other purposes, like treatment of polluted water together with utilization as energy.