US 7,871,459 B2 · Apparatus and methods for non-regenerative and regenerative hot gas desulfurization

Abstract

Disclosed is a doped cerium oxide sorbent that can effectively and regenerably remove H2S in the temperature range of about 500° C. to about 1000° C. Regenerable sorbents (e.g., ZnO, La2O3, CeO2) and methods of using them are disclosed that allow cyclic desulfurization from about 300-500° C., 350-450° C., and at about 400° C. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a method of desulfurizing fuel gas comprising passing the fuel gas through the sorbent at a space velocity wherein the sulfur compounds are adsorbed substantially on the surface of the sorbent; and regenerating the sorbent by passing a regenerating gas through the sorbent, wherein substantially all of the sulfur compounds are desorbed from the sorbent surface. In a further embodiment, the method of desulfurizing fuel gas further comprises repeating the aforementioned steps while the fuel processor is in operation. In another embodiment, the step of passing the fuel gas may be preceded by reducing the sorbent by passing a reducing gas through the sorbent. In another embodiment, the sorbent may be fully sulfided, i.e., sulfided on its surface and bulk (internally).

Claims17

Dependent claims

A method of desulfurizing fuel gas, comprising the steps of:

passing fuel gas comprising a sulfur compound through a sorbent, at a first flow rate, corresponding to a high space velocity, and at a first temperature, wherein the sulfur compound is adsorbed substantially on a surface of the sorbent, thereby generating a substantially desulfurized fuel gas;
and
regenerating the sorbent by passing a regenerating gas stream through the sorbent, at a second flow rate, corresponding to a high space velocity, and at a second temperature, thereby desorbing substantially all of the sulfur compound from said sorbent surface;
wherein the sorbent comprises a lanthanum oxide or a cerium oxide;
the sorbent further comprises a lanthanide metal or a transition metal;
said first space velocity is from about 16,000 h−1 to about 400,000 h−1;
said second space velocity is from about 16,000 h−1 to about 400,000 h−1;
said first temperature is selected from about 400° C. to about 1,000° C.;
and said second temperature is selected from about 400° C. to about 1,000° C.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Apparatus and methods for non-regenerative and regenerative hot gas desulfurization

Life of this patent

Apparatus and methods for non-regenerative and regenerative hot gas desulfurization

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17