MSW landfill biogas desulfurization

Biogas utilization in MCFC systems requires a high level of gas purification in order to meet the stringent sulfur tolerance limits of both the fuel cells and the reformer catalysts. In this study, two commercial activated carbons (ACs) have been tested for H2S removal from the biogas produced at the Montescarpino Municipal Solid Waste landfill in Genoa, Italy. The performed analyses show a low selectivity of activated carbon towards the adsorption of only sulfur species. This represents a drawback for the use of this type of system, however, the use of mixed beds of different ACs has demonstrated to be advantageous in improving the removal efficiency of H2S. Thus, the adsorption treatments with AC can ensure the high level of gas desulfurization required for fuel cell application. Nevertheless, the low adsorption capacity observed using landfill biogas would lead to high operative costs that suggest the application of a preliminary gas-scrubbing stage.