Mild hydrotreating/extraction process for low sulfur fuel for use in fuel cells
OwnerLawrence W. Jossens, Curtis L. Munson +1inventors
InventorsLawrence W. Jossens, Curtis L. Munson, Gunther H. Dieckmann
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Abstract
A two step sulfur removal for treatment of hydrocarbonaceous fuel intended for use in a fuel cell comprising a mild hydrotreating step followed by an extraction step reduces the sulfur content in fuel to 5 ppm total sulfur or less and a fuel processor suitable for carrying out the process.
Claims20
A process for desulfurizing a hydrocarbonaceous fuel intended for use in a PEM fuel cell which comprises:
- a) contacting a hydrocarbonaceous fuel containing sulfur with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrotreating catalyst at a temperature of between 300° F. and 500° F., a total pressure between 50 psig and 500 psig, and a space velocity between 0.5 hr−1 and 10 hr−1 for a time sufficient to convert up to 95% of the thiophenes present in the fuel, to produce a hydrotreated hydrocarbonaceous fuel;
- b) contacting the hydrotreated hydrocarbonaceous fuel with a solid adsorbent or a liquid extractant selected to reduce the sulfur compounds remaining in the hydrotreated hydrocarbonaceous to 5.0 ppm or less;
- c) recovering a hydrocarbonaceous fuel having a sufficiently reduced sulfur content wherein it is suitable for use as a fuel in a PEM fuel cell;
- and
- d) supplying the hydrocarbonaceous fuel recovered in step (c) as fuel for a PEM fuel cell.
The process according to claim wherein the solid adsorbent comprises at least one material selected from the group consisting of alumina, a zeolitic material, a clay material, activated carbon, copper, and metal oxides.
A mobile fuel processor suitable for desulfurizing a hydrocarbonaceous fuel intended for use in a PEM fuel cell used to power a transportation platform, said fuel processor comprising (a) hydrotreating zone suitable for contacting said hydrocarbonaceous fuel with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrotreating catalyst at a temperature of between 300° F. and 500° F., a total pressure of between 50 psig and 500 psig, a space velocity of between 0.5 hr−1 and 10 hr−1 for time sufficient to convert up to 95% of the thiophenes present in the fuel and (b) an adsorption zone containing a solid adsorbent or liquid extractant capable of reducing the total sulfur compounds present in the fuel leaving the hydrotreating zone to 5.0 ppm or less.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.