(630f) Reformates Desulfurization Using Regenerable Sorbent for Logistic SOFC Power Units

Carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) usually exist in the reformates. They can react with hydrogen sulfide, the major sulfur compound in reformates, and form carbonyl sulfide, which is difficulty to be removed by ZnO based sorbents. As a result, the sorbents usually demonstrate low sulfur capacity or require long packed beds to achieve low sulfur levels. In this study, a specially designed layered bed made of a commercial ZnO sorbent and supported sorbent mixture was investigated in the presence of refomates of high CO and CO₂ concentrations and high face velocities. The layered bed maintained its sulfur capacity and was able to reduce the total sulfur concentration to less than 1ppm (lower than typical sulfur thresholds of most SOFCs) after 30 desulfurization/regeneration cycles. Due to the low weight and small size of the layered bed, it is very suitable to be used as a desulfurizer for logistic power units based on SOFCs.