I'm designing an experimental gas generator. The details are not really important here, but I want to convert a mixture of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and $\ce{H2O}$ gas to a safer form. I know the water gas shift reaction is capable of doing so, but I want to know if it works without a catalyst.

I do understand that the WGSR is an equilibrium reaction, and therefore will not get rid of the carbon monoxide completely, but I hope to at least reduce the amount. This setup will, of course, be done outside and I will be careful not to allow unburned $\ce{CO}$ gases to escape anywhere.

Edit: Someone pointed out to me in the comments that I can remove the carbon dioxide, a useless product of the WGSR, within the reaction vessel to shift the equilibrium towards the products. So the second paragraph is incorrect.

  • $\begingroup$ You can use sodium arsenite sscrubber to reduce the CO2 conc. thereby causing equilibrium to shift almost towards products side. $\endgroup$ – JM97 Sep 16 '16 at 9:23
  • $\begingroup$ @JM97 That's toxic and carcinogenic -- I'd be trading one poison for another there. Perhaps I can use sodium carbonate. $\endgroup$ – sadljkfhalskdjfh Sep 16 '16 at 10:26

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