Moderate temperature gas purification system: Application to high calorific coal-derived fuel

• Published in: Powder technology 2008-01, Vol.180 (1), p.178-183
• Main Authors: Kobayashi, Makoto, Shirai, Hiromi, Nunokawa, Makoto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Chemical engineering; Desulfurization; Exact sciences and technology; Halide removal; Miscellaneous; Moderate temperature gas purification; Molten carbonate fuel cell; Oxygen blown coal gas; Reactors; Solid-solid systems; Synthetic fuel production
• ISSN: 0032-5910; 1873-328X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.powtec.2007.03.027

Simultaneous removal of dust, alkaline and alkaline–earth metals, halides and sulfur compounds is required to enlarge application of coal-derived gas to the high-temperature fuel cells and the fuel synthesis through chemical processing. Because high calorific fuel gas, such as oxygen-blown coal gas, has high carbon monoxide content, high-temperature (above 450 °C) gas purification system is always subjected to the carbon deposition. We suggest moderate temperature (around 300 °C) operation of the gas purification system to avoid the harmful disproportionation reaction and efficient removal of the various contaminants. Because the reaction rate is predominant to the performance of contaminant removal in the moderate temperature gas purification system, we evaluated the chemical removal processes; performance of the removal processes for halides and sulfur compounds was experimentally evaluated. The halide removal process with sodium aluminate sorbent had potential performance at around 300 °C. The sulfur removal process with zinc ferrite sorbent was also applicable to the temperature range, though the reaction kinetics of the sorbent is essential to be approved. Moderate temperature (around 300 °C) operation of the gas purification system was suggested to reconcile avoidance of carbon deposition and efficient removal of the contaminants from high calorific fuel gas, such as oxygen-blown coal gas. Evaluation of the removal sorbents for halides and sulfur compounds revealed that acceleration of sulfur removal was essential to achieve acceptable performance at the target temperature. [Display omitted]