Semester

Spring

Date of Graduation

1999

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

Department

Chemical and Biomedical Engineering

Committee Chair

John W. Zondlo.

Abstract

This thesis investigated the use of transport reactor technology to conduct hot gas desulfurization (HGD). The need or market drivers for this technology were assessed to identify the demand and opportunity. A literature review was conducted to assess the status of HGD and the issues involved with its development.;Design requirements were identified for integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) power plants that would utilize transport HGD reactors to baseline the design for the technology. A target of 1/10 of the New Source Performance (NSPS) for the emission of sulfur dioxide was chosen as the sulfur removal requirement for the system. Process design activities were then undertaken to design the experimental unit. Maintaining the reactor gas flowrate above the choking velocity and removal of excessive heat caused by the chemical reaction were the two principle operating parameters of concern.;Finally, the experimental reactor was built and underwent successful shakedown testing. In addition, a preliminary desulfurization test was successfully conducted with the unit. It was shown that a hydrogen sulfide-containing fuel gas could be cleaned from an initial hydrogen sulfide concentration of 1000 ppmv to under 250 ppmv (below NSPS levels). The test was conducted with real coal-gas making it the first and only known test of its kind in the world.

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