Intellectual Property Office

Non-Confidential Disclosures

“Process for Removing H2S and CO2 Contaminants from Gas Streams”

PSU Inv. Disc. No 2006-3226
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Keywords

Gas stream purification; nanoporous sorbent; biogas; CO2 capture; coal gasification; fuel cells

Inventors:

Chunshan Song, Xiao Liang Ma, Xiaoxing, Wang

Links:

Inventor Website

Background:

In gas streams such as natural gas, coal/biomass gasification gas, biogas, landfill gas, coal mine gas and reformate gas in hydrogen production two of the main contaminants are hydrogen sulfide (H¬¬2S) and carbon dioxide (CO2). H2S has a strong odor, is corrosive to equipment and pipelines, and poisonous to downstream catalysts in fuel cells while CO2 is a greenhouse gas and lowers efficiency in production, transportation, storage and application of fuel gases and H2. A major challenge in production of these gases is to remove these impurities. Current methods for removal include, liquid absorption using chemical or physical solvents, use of metal oxides to remove H2S and membrane separation technology. High operation costs, inability to effectively reduce H2S concentrations, corrosive conditions and high operating temperatures are problems associated with current separation methods. There is an immediate need to develop novel materials and innovative processes for removing H2S and CO2 contaminants from these gasses.

Invention description:

The present invention provides a new type of sorbent, nanoporous-material-supported polymer sorbents, and an innovative process for removing H2S and CO2 more efficiently, economically and environmentally friendly. The process is able to remove H2S in a one-step process or remove both H2S and CO2 in a two-step process. The invention can remove both contaminants from the gas streams with high capacity and selectivity at reasonable temperature for both normal operation (20-80 ?C) and sorbent regeneration (75-100 ?C). The process invented is simple, energy efficient and easy to control and can be used for gas steams including, but not limited to, natural gas, coal/biomass gasification gas, biogas, landfill gas, coal mine gas, and reformate gas in hydrogen production and process gases in refineries. It is suitable not only for mass treatment of gas but also for on-site or on-board treatments for fuel cells, and for landfill and bio gas in farms.

Advantages:

• High-capacity, high-selectivity sorbent for H2S and CO2 removal
  
• Energy efficient, economical and easy to control gas purification process
  
• High sorption/adsorption rate done at 20-80 C without use of high pressure
• Regeneration at mild conditions
• Potential to remove other impurities
  

Contact:

Bradley A. Swope
Sr. Technology Licensing Officer
Intellectual Property Office
113 Technology Center
The Pennsylvania State Univ.
University Park, PA 16802-7000
Phone: (814) 863-5987
Fax: (814) 865-3591
E-mail:bradswope@psu.edu