Improvement of the Desulfurization and Regeneration Properties through the Control of Pore Structures of the Zn−Ti-based H2S Removal Sorbents

Abstract

To improve the sulfur removing capacity of the conventional Zn-Ti-based H2S removal sorbents, a new Zn-Ti based sorbent (ZT-cp) was prepared by the coprecipitation method and tested in a packed bed reactor at middle temperature conditions (H2S absorption at 480 degrees C, regeneration at 580 degrees C). The new Zn-Ti-based sorbent showed excellent sulfur removing capacity without deactivation, even after 10 cycles of absorption and regeneration. The conventional Zn-Ti-based sorbents (ZT-700, ZT-1000), however, that were prepared by physical mixing, were continuously deactivated. In particular, the initial sulfur removing capacity of the ZT-cp sorbent showed a very high absorption value (0.22 g S/g sorbent), which corresponded to 91.6% of theoretical absorption amount. These results can be explained by the difference in physical properties such as pore volume, surface area, and particle size. It was also found that the sulfides formed from the ZT-cp and ZT-1000 sorbents with spinel structure were easily regenerated even at 580 degrees C. Those from the ZT-700 sorbent, with separated ZnO and TiO2 structures, needed a temperature higher than 610 degrees C for regeneration.