Part A: Advances in tools and techniques for estimating biogas production and treatment in anaerobic-based STPs Technical Note 4 - Biogas desulfurization by adsorption on low-cost adsorbents

Abstract

Among the existing biogas treatment techniques, adsorption onto activated carbon (AC), in filter columns, has been the mostly used. However, when the reality of the Brazilian STPs is considered, the cost of AC becomes a limiting factor. In this sense, recent studies that evaluated low-cost alternative adsorbents have highlighted the great potential for its use as an alternative to AC or in a pre-treatment unit, with the goal of extending the lifetime of the AC filters. Therefore, this technical note seeks to contribute to the knowledge of the H2 S removal process by adsorption, covering the following main points of interest: (i) applicability and limitations; (ii) fundamentals of the process; (iii) project criteria and parameters; and (iv) aspects related to operation and maintenance.