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Title:
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Removal of sulphur-containing odorants from natural gas for PEMFC-based micro-combined heat and power applications
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Author(s):
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Published by:
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Publication date:
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ECN
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1-11-2002
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ECN report number:
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Document type:
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ECN-RX--02-059
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Conference Paper
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Number of pages:
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Full text:
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4
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Download PDF
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Presented at: Fuel Cell Seminar 2002, Palm Springs, USA, 18-21 november 2002.
Abstract:
Natural gas is an important feedstock for the production of hydrogenfor Polymer Electrolyte (or Proton Exchange) Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC's)
for residential applications. Presently, much research efforts are carried
out to develop small-scale catalytic fuel processors for on-site generation
of hydrogen from natural gas. A typical residential power generator
(RPG) may consist of several unit process steps such as fuel pretreatment
(e.g. cleaning and preheating), catalytic partial oxidation, high and
low temperature shift, preferential CO oxidation (PROX), PEMFC and off-gas
treatment in the afterburner. In cases where the natural gas is to be
used for residential purposes, naturally occurring sulphur compounds
are first removed, and then sulphur containing odorants are added to
odorise the otherwise odourless natural gas. Typical sulphur containing
odorants are tetrahydrothiophene (THT), mercaptans, organic sulphides
or mixtures thereof. In the Netherlands, and most of Europe, tetrahydrothiophene
is used. Sulphur containing components present in the fuel processor
fuel, are likely to be converted to H2S in the fuel processor
section of the hydrogen generating system. To prevent detrimental effects
on the catalysts in a typical PEMFC-based micro combined heat and power
installation, sulphur removal from the natural gas feedstock is mandatory.
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