Compact Regenerable Sulfur Scrubber for Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells.

Abstract : Technology for the direct desulfurization of unprocessed diesel fuel using regenerable copper-based mixed metal oxide sorbents was developed for incorporation in modular phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC) generators. Removal of greater 60% of the sulfur in diesel fuel was demonstrated, and sorbent sulfur loadings of approximately 1 wt% were attained. Preliminary studies indicated that the sorbents are regenerable, with up to 70% of the sorbed sulfur removed during regeneration. Incorporation of this technology into a PAFC power plant should reduce the weight of the sulfur removal unit by a minimum of 25%. Keywords: Desulfurization, Phosphoric acid, Fuel cells, Diesel fuel, Mixed oxide sorbents, Supported catalysts.