Metal Organic Frameworks for Selective Adsorption of t-Butyl Mercaptan from Natural Gas

Selective adsorption of t-butyl mercaptan (TBM), a sulfur odorant, from natural gas

(methane) for turbine corrosion prevention was studied using metal organic frameworks

(MOF) at ambient temperatures and pressures. TBM capacities were measured via

thermogravimetric analyzer and was found to be higher for the MOFs MIL-53(Al) and

Cu-BTC than for zeolites Y and beta, the current leading technology for desulfurization

of gaseous fuel. TBM selectivities were the highest for MIL-53(Al) and zeolite beta,

followed by Cu-BTC and UiO-66(Zr). All adsorbents were regenerated under the same

conditions as pretreatment and subsequent capacities measured over four cycles. MIL-

53(Al) lost about 7% of its original capacity after four cycles, however UiO-66(Zr) was

able to retain all of its original capacity after four cycles, despite having the lowest

initial TBM capacity out of all the materials studied.