Storage of Hydrogen Sulfide?

Question

How long can H2S be stored in an airtight plastic or glass container. Also, how concentrated would fumes be once opened?

Answer 1

The answer depends upon the exact nature of the plastic or glass and the pressure of the H2S being stored.

At one atmosphere of pressure, the most Hydrogen sulfide that you could store in a one liter container is about 1.363 grams (the density of H2S is 1.363 g/L).  If the container was Teflon lined, it could be stored for a long time.  Polyehtylene (like many milk jugs) will slowly react and leak.

Storing Hydrogen sulfide has always been a problem.  This is the reason that it is usually generated when needed in the laboratory.  Commercially available H2S is usually sold as a compressed gas in Aluminum tanks.

Answer 2

H2S is a mildly acidic gas, so should store well in plastic or glass. If you are storing pure H2S gas, then the fumes would be pure H2S. If you are storing H2S in a water solution, the gas phase above the liquid would still be very rich in H2S.

Remember that H2S is very toxic.

>300 ppm exposure can lead to pulmonary endema (fluid accumulation in the lungs)

>500 ppm can lead to central nervous system overload leading to loss of breathing

800 ppm exposure for 5 mins will cause death.

If you are going to be using H2S it must be stored or used in a fume hood or well ventilated area.