Removal of H2S from Biogas by Iron (Fe3+) Doped MgO on Ceramic Honeycomb Catalyst using Double Packed Columns System

Abstract

Biogas, a clean environment fuel, is produced by anaerobic digestion of biological wastes. The presence of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in biogas has a toxic and corrosive to most equipment such as piping, boilers, and powergenerating machine. H2S removal from biogas is of crucial importance to guarantee better performances in biogas exploitation processes, and to reduce environmental impact of gaseous emissions. Iron (Fe 3+ ) doped magnesium oxide (MgO) catalyst was synthesized using sol–gel dip coating process on foam ceramic honeycomb for removal of H2S in biogas. The synthesis catalyst was characterized by XRD and SEM techniques. Double packed columns containing absorption column and catalytic column were used to remove H2S in biogas in this paper. The absorption column using water absorbent was run with counter current mode to absorb H2S from biogas. The synthesized catalyst was packed in catalytic column to continuously degrade the H2S in water absorbent liquid and regenerated by air flow. The results showed that the double packed columns system was effectively performed in H2S removal from biogas. The L/G ratio of 0.6, biogas flow rate of 1 l/min and 10 pieces of catalyst were optimum operating condition of the double packed columns system to get the highest H2S removal efficiency of 72% without any loss of CH4 in the biogas.