BACKGROUNDA wet scrubbing process with in-situ electro-generation of ferrate(VI) has been developed for removing odour from foul gas in wastewater treatment plants. In this process, methyl mercaptan (CH3SH) in synthetic gas is removed through absorption and oxidation by contacting the gaseous stream with aqueous NaOH electrolyte that offers in-situ generation of ferrate(VI). RESULTSThe process parameters including electrolyte concentration, applied current density, initial CH3SH concentration, gas flow rate and gaseous CH3SH compositions were investigated to determine the best operating conditions and design parameters for a scale-up design. Under all the experimental conditions, gaseous CH3SH was completely removed by the wet scrubbing process at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The process proved to be quite effective for dissolved CH3S- degradation under the optimum experimental condition at the NaOH concentration of 6molL(-1), current density of 2.22 mA cm(-2) and CH3SH loading below 30gm(-3)h(-1). A very short contact time of 0.06s between the gas and the liquid phases was achieved in this in-situ ferrate(VI) generation reactor. CONCLUSIONSThis process is effective for CH3SH control, and holds great promise for industrial applications due to its high efficiency, simplicity and stability. (c) 2013 Society of Chemical Industry