As detailed in the initial report on this breakthrough, experts at a Beijing evaluation conference on Tuesday praised the 'off-field electrocatalysis' technology developed by academician Li Can's team at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics. They recommended immediate industrial scale-up, following over 1,000 hours of uninterrupted operation at a Xinxiang pilot plant that eliminates nearly 100% of hydrogen sulfide emissions while producing high-value hydrogen and sulfur.
The pilot facility in Xinxiang, Henan province, processes waste gas from a nearby methanol plant operated by Shandong Sunway Chemical Group. It has demonstrated exceptional performance, yielding sulfur with 99.95%+ purity and hydrogen at 99.999% purity—premium products for global markets.
Key innovations include 'electron mediators' that shift H2S decomposition from electrode surfaces to a separate tank, preventing sulfur clogging, hydrogen bubble adhesion, and filter contamination. This keeps electrical components clean and efficient under ambient conditions.
The skid-mounted design occupies 20% less space than traditional Claus plants (which require >1,200°C and waste hydrogen potential), enabling easy transport and integration into refineries.
Li Can highlighted global challenges: China removes 8 billion cubic meters of H2S yearly (global emissions >70 billion), with the tech potentially supplying 40% of China's 1.8 million tons green hydrogen goal by 2030, aligning with 'dual carbon' targets.