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Title: Molten carbonate fuel cell powerplant desulfurization systems. Final report, November 1978-November 1979

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5133848

With an objective to contribute to the integration of coal gasifier with advanced power generation systems, such as molten carbonate fuel cells, this study has investigated high-temperature, regenerable, desulfurization processes in which the H/sub 2/s content of coal gases is reduced from 200 ppM to 1 ppM. Commercially available processes involve very low temperature scrubbing prior to use in the fuel cells and, consequently, introduce penalties in capital cost and system efficiency. As a result of a systematic thermodynamic screening, four candidates (ZnO, V/sub 2/O/sub 3/, Cu and WO/sub 2/) show feasibility for intermediate to high temperature (350 to 700/sup 0/C) desulfurization of fuel gases derived from coal. Of these, ZnO was experimentally studied using a bench scale, isothermal packed bed reactor. It was demonstrated that ZnO can reduce the sulfur levels to less than 1 ppM from coal gases at 650/sup 0/C, and it can be completely regenerated to ZnO. However, severe decrease in sulfur capacity at high temperatures and further degradation upon regeneration were observed. Electron microscopy, microanalysis, and surface area measurements were obtained and examined in conjunction with a pore plugging model for this type of gas-solid reaction. Evidence is presented to conclude that the combination of pore plugging during sulfurization and sintering during regeneration reaction are two major causes for the observed decrease in its activity of the sorbent.

Research Organization:
Giner, Inc., Waltham, MA (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC03-78ET15370
OSTI ID:
5133848
Report Number(s):
DOE/ET/15370-T1; ON: DE83006791
Resource Relation:
Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English