An Experimental Study of Sulfur Release in Gas Products of Coal Steam Hydrogasification

An Experimental Study of Sulfur Release in Gas Products of Coal Steam Hydrogasification

Qian Luo, Chan S. Park, Joseph M. Norbeck

Bourns College of Engineering

Center for Environmental Research and Technology (CE-CERT)

University of California,  Riverside,  California 92521-0425.

Steam hydrogasification reaction (SHR) is the thermochemical conversion of carbonaceous materials into synthetic gas in steam and hydrogen environment. It has been developed by the Bourns College of Engineering - CE-CERT at the University of California, Riverside (UCR). Like other thermochemical process, the formation of gaseous sulfur species from the solid sulfur in the feedstock becomes inevitable which necessitates the cleaning of gas to make it end-use possible. Therefore, a better understanding of the sulfur release in the gas phase in SHR could help to find the suitable method to remove sulfur containing species for the protection of downstream catalysts.

The temperature, steam and H₂ amount have an effect on the distribution of the various gaseous sulfur species. Experiment results showed that sulfur in the feedstock is mainly converted to H₂S in the SHR process but COS and CS₂ are undetectable. The H₂ and steam environment in the SHR process are favorable for the formation of H₂S and suppress the COS and CS₂ formation. Furthermore, increase of H₂S concentration was observed with the rise in temperature from 700^oC to 800^oC. However, the increasing the partial pressure of H₂ decreased the H₂S concentration released in the gas phase.