Hydrogen Sulfide Removal from Household Water- Treatment Options

Hydrogen Sulfide or H2S is a dangerous and common compound in water. However, it is not considered a primary or a secondary water contaminant according to current drinking water standards. But, when the Hydrogen Sulfide concentration is over 0.5 ppm-parts per million in drinking water, it can make the water unnatural. This is when hydrogen sulfide removal measures have to be taken to make it better for consumption and use.

Presence of Hydrogen Sulfide in the water

The presence of H2S in household water can:

  • An unpleasant/unusual smell like a rotten egg.
  • It can corrode steel, iron, brass casing, copper casing in plumbing and bathroom fixtures.
  • It can discolor/tarnish brassware, silverware, and copperware.
  • It can stain your laundry and all your bathroom fixtures either yellow or black.
  • Change the taste and look of cooked items.
  • Beverage discoloration.

Hydrogen Sulfide Removal/Treatment

There are many treatment choices for removing H2S from household water. The treatment choice depends on the size, this treatment option, and the concentration of H2S present within the water.  Whether you are looking for whole house water treatment or only at the usage point of drinking or cooking also alters the treatment option. This is based on the concentration of H2S in the water. When H2S is high concentration, a whole house H2S treatment is suggested. To proceed with the treatment option, test your water for this concentration.

Common treatment options

Shock chlorination- When there is a rotten egg smell in the water, it could be because of sulfur-reducing coliform bacteria in the water source as well. When this is the case, shock chlorination treatment can remove the problem. Place a high dosage of bleach meant for household use within the well. After 12-24 hours, the bacteria is killed. This treatment may fail because sulfur bacteria and iron form thick layers and are covered by slime. Continuous chlorination may be needed or head to other treatment options to remove H2S.

Replacement of water heater- If the hot water usage point is detected with H2S smell, your heater is the issue. Anode or magnesium rod within the heater reacts with sulfate to result in H2S. So, magnesium rod is replaced with zinc or aluminum made rod.

Granular activated carbon-GAC- A GAC filter will minimize the unpleasant taste and odor when H2S levels in household water are lower than 0.3ppm. The filter has a limited capacity, so it gets exhausted very quickly when it is over 0.3ppm. The filters eliminate trichloroethylene, tannins, and dissolved compounds.

Catalytic carbon-This has a conventional GAC’s adsorptive properties, but another plus is it can transform H2S to elemental sulfur. First, H2S is adsorbed onto the catalytic carbon surface. Then this is oxidized in the presence of oxygen (dissolved form) to elemental sulfur. They can be used for higher H2S concentration treatment.

Aeration- Water tank water is bubbled using a large air volume to strip or separate H2S to outdoors. The air is introduced with a blower or an air compressor. It is efficient when the concentration of H2S is below 2.0 ppm.

Manganese Filter- This entry point filtration method eliminates H2S concentrations of up to 10ppm. It eliminates H2S through oxidation of H2S gas to sulfur particles (solid).

Conclusion

Hydrogen Sulfide removal options become essential for household water to be compatible with drinking, cooking, laundry, cleaning, etc. It is also necessary to keep your fixtures and casing free of corrosion. There are several treatment options for its elimination.

Chemical Products Industries Also Offers Following Services:

Hydrogen Sulfide Adsorbent

Surfactant Chemicals

Non Toxic Surfactant

Scavenger Chemical

Contact US:

Chemical Products Industries, Inc.

Address: 7649 SW 34th St, Oklahoma City, OK
Phone: (800) 624-4356