H2S absorption on activated carbons NoritRB1: CFD model development

Micro-CHP technologies based on fuel cells appear to be a good answer to growing worldwide demand for less polluting forms of energy. Some components that constitute the balance of plant of these systems are resulted to be field of improvements in order to increase the overall efficiency. In particular this paper deals issues relative to the clean-up system.Considering as powering system the methane gas distribution, in fact, a high degree of desulphurization is requested to avoid poisoning of the reformer and stack catalyst. Therefore, a parametric CFD model of a typical desulphurization reactor has been developed using experimental data obtained by the FClab of the University of Perugia. Particular attention has been devoted to the kinetic of the adsorption process of the hydrogen sulphide on activated carbons Norit RB1, used in the test session. The H2S adsorption process has been modelled as a mass transfer process between the gas phase mix and the solid phase. The model has been developed and validated by means of further experimental data not used for the model development. This tool will allow, in future studies, to optimize the geometry of an innovative desulphurization system for residential application.

► A CFD model of a desulphurization reactor has been developed.
► Adsorption kinetic of H2S on activated carbons has been implemented in the model.
► The model has been developed and validated by means of experimental data.