Regenerable adsorbents for the adsorptive desulfurization of transportation fuels for fuel cell applications

S. Velu, Shingo Watanabe, Xiaoliang Ma, Chunshan Song

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

33 Scopus citations

Abstract

A wide variety of materials, including metal ions loaded on zeolites or mesoporous materials, mixed metal oxides, hydrotalcite-like anionic clays, metal modified activated carbon, supported metals, etc. were tested as adsorbents. The breakthrough curves for the adsorptive desulfurization of a low sulfur diesel fuel containing 45 ppm wt of sulfur were presented. In addition to the 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (DMDBT), the fuel contained 4-ethyl-6-methyl dibenzothiophene that was even more refractory than the 4,6-DMDBT because of the presence of ethyl group instead of methyl group in the fourth position. The adsorbent was capable of sensing the sulfur compounds from this very dilute feed and removing them completely by the surface reaction. The adsorbent was regenerated by treating with H2 gas at 500°C for 1-2 hr and then reused for the subsequent run. The adsorption performance could be completely regained by the reductive regeneration, be recovered by solvent washing, and the adsorbent could be completely regenerated for subsequent use. In the sense and shoot approach, the adsorbent such as supported Ni metal, adsorbed the sulfur compounds at elevated temperature. The adsorbed sulfur compounds were decomposed and the remaining organic moiety was added to the fuel. The adsorbent could be regenerated by reductive regeneration at 500°C using hydrogen gas.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)526-528
Number of pages3
JournalACS Division of Fuel Chemistry, Preprints
Volume48
Issue number2
StatePublished - Sep 2003

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Energy

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