Question

Waste water treatment often has at least one oxidation-reduction step. In the collection of waste water, chlorine can be added to control corrosion by hydrogen sulfide to give sulfur and chloride ions. What is the balanced equation for the reaction that occurs in this step? Include physical states in your answer. H 2

​
S( g)+Cl 2
​
( g)→2HCl(g)+S(s)

Answer 1

The balanced chemical equation for chlorine's reaction with hydrogen sulfide in wastewater treatment is H2S(g) + Cl2(g) → 2HCl(g) + S(s). This is an oxidation-reduction step in the disinfection process of wastewater treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

The balanced chemical equation for the reaction where chlorine is added to wastewater to control corrosion by hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is:

H2S(g) + Cl2(g) → 2HCl(g) + S(s)

In this oxidation-reduction reaction, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is oxidized to sulfur (S), and chlorine (Cl2) is reduced to chloride ions (Cl-), which will later combine with hydrogen ions (H+) to form hydrochloric acid (HCl). This chemical reaction is essential for the disinfection process in wastewater treatment to control corrosion and remove harmful substances, such as hydrogen sulfide, that can cause odor and deteriorate metal pipes.