Hydrogen sulphide

Abstract

Hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), a highly toxic and corrosive molecule, is typically found in hydrocarbon reservoirs, sewers and in the waste industry. It can be extremely problematic during drilling, production and processing. This chapter offers a synopsis of H₂S, which is sulphur in its most reduced form of all its numerous oxidation states. It delves briefly into H₂S’s history on planet earth before there was life all through to its diminishment during the latter Proterozoic era to present day. It also investigates its various forms of generation and production, and its effect and impact especially as an occupation-based hazard. Its utilisation in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) as a standalone or together with carbon dioxide (CO₂) and its role in geosequestration together with CO₂ is explored.