(152q) Adsorption and Desorption Characteristics of Trace Sulfur Compounds on Cu- Activated Carbon

The Hydrogen (H₂) has been considered as alternative energy vector for substituting fossil fuel responsible for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Catalytic reforming of natural gas (NG) has been considered the most economical method for hydrogen production, and integration of CO₂ capture enables production of blue hydrogen. However, the presence of sulfur compounds at even trace levels (ppm) in pipeline natural gas can cause permanent degradation to reforming catalysts and fuel cell electrodes. Therefore, the complete removal (at least ppb level) of low concentration sulfur compounds in natural gas is crucial to sustain the efficiency of SMR process and the fuel cell performance.

In this study, the adsorption behaviors of Cu-impregnated AC (Cu/AC) in the cyclic operation for removal of H₂S, THT, and TBM (4.5 ppm in CH₄) were analyzed via dynamic breakthrough experiments under ambient condition. The regeneration was conducted using thermal and oxidative treatments. The main reaction kinetics and role of impregnated Cu were elucidated based on change of states of Cu and sulfur species via XPS, FE-SEM with EDS, and XRD. In addition, the effective impregnation method to improve performance of activated carbon for the complete removal of low-concentration H₂S was also developed based on the mechanisms.