Sorbent development for continuous regenerative H2S removal in a rotating monolith reactor

A high capacity and regenerable manganese based sorbent for desulfurization of hot dry fuel gas from coal gasification has been developed. Pure γ-Al₂O₃ and washcoated cordierite monoliths impregnated with manganese acetate and calcined at 973 K resulted in highly dispersed Mn₃O₄ on γ-Al₂O₃. MnS was formed during sulfidation and MnAl₂O₄ during subsequent regeneration with steam. The optimal operation temperature was found to be between 1123 and 1223 K. The maximum capacity of the acceptor was 17 mass% sulfur which was obtained for a 32 mass% manganese loading. A deactivation test of 65 subsequent sulfidation and regeneration cycles showed minor deactivation during the first cycles followed by a stable performance. This sorbent will be used in a rotating monolith reactor in which absorption and regeneration takes place simultaneously in separate sections, which enables a continuous operation.