Higher alcohols from syngas using a K/Ni/MoS2 catalyst: Trace sulfur in the product and effect of H2S-containing feed

In the second experimental part, the effect of feeding syngas containing 170 ppm H2S compared to a sulfur-free syngas was studied, while all products were carefully monitored online. The presence of H2S in the syngas was found to increase CO conversion, but the largest change was found in product selectivity. The hydrocarbon selectivity greatly increased at the expense of alcohol selectivity, while the alcohol distribution shifted towards longer alcohols (increased C2+OH/MeOH ratio). From product yields it became clear that most of the increased CO conversion with H2S in the feed was due to increased methane formation (and CO2 formation due to the water-gas shift reaction). The presence of H2S in the feed greatly increased the concentration of all sulfur compounds. Together with COS, formation of thiols (methanethiol and ethanethiol) was especially favored by the presence of H2S. The thioether concentration also increased, however, to a much lower extent.