Syngas Cleaning

Syngas Cleaning | Hot-Gas Filtration | Desulfurization, Tar Cracking, Ammonia Cracking
Trace Metal Capture | Preparation and Characterization of Catalysts and Sorbents
PSDF Transport Gasifier | Laboratory-Scale Gasifer

Desulfurization, Tar Cracking, Ammonia Cracking

Desulfurization

This table summarizes results of recent tar cracking tests at PSDF using various catalysts and operating temperatures.

Southern Research's experience in hot-gas desulfurization includes the evaluation of commercial and custom-developed sorbents based on zinc and iron formulations in the temperature range of 550 to 750°F. One of the commercial sorbents (Johnson-Matthey Puraspec) was used to achieve H2S levels in the ppb range for a slipstream evaluation of a fuel cell. We have also worked closely with DOE on the optimization of the RVS-1 and RVSLT-1 sorbents developed by DOE.

Tar and Ammonia Cracking

Southern Research's experience includes high-temperature cracking of tar and ammonia at 1650 to 1750°F using nickel-based catalysts and lower-temperature tar cracking at 800°F using modified FCC catalysts. A process for the destruction of ammonia is also being developed based on the use of "Reverse" Selective Catalytic Reduction at 700-800°F. In this process, nitrogen oxides are injected or generated in situ to react with the ammonia and convert it to nitrogen.

The table below shows target conversions of ammonia and tar-related compounds. Experimental conversions achieved at the Power Systems Development Facility are shown under the target conversions.

Compound	Experimental Conversion to CO & H2	Target Conversion to CO & H2
Methane (CH4)	20%	80%
Ethane (C2H6)	90%	99%
Ethylene (C2H4)	50%	90%
Tars (C10+)	95%	99.9%
Benzene (C6H6)	79%	99%
Ammonia (NH3)	70%	90%

Experimental Conversions at PSDF:
Ethylene = 100% · Benzene = 75 - 97% · Ammonia = 96 - 99%

Syngas Cleaning | Hot-Gas Filtration | Desulfurization, Tar Cracking, Ammonia Cracking
Trace Metal Capture | Preparation and Characterization of Catalysts and Sorbents
PSDF Transport Gasifier | Laboratory-Scale Gasifer