Composite Adsorbent for Refractory Sulfur Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing adsorbents for removing refractory sulfur compounds from refinery streams have low selectivity, saturate quickly, and require severe operating conditions and high hydrogen consumption, making them economically unviable.
Innovation Solution
An adsorbent composition comprising a base component, spinel oxide as a reactive metal oxide, and a bimetallic alloy as an adsorption enhancer, prepared by mixing and calcining the components to create a high-surface-area material that effectively removes refractory sulfur compounds with minimal hydrogen consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional impregnation adsorbents are used to remove sulfur compounds, then selectivity for sulfur compounds is achieved, but saturation occurs at very low treated volume of fuels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite adsorbent material comprising zinc oxide as the base component, spinel oxide (such as nickel aluminate, cobalt aluminate, or mixed metal oxides) as the reactive metal oxide component, and an adsorption enhancer component. This composite structure combines the high sulfur affinity of zinc oxide with the enhanced adsorption capacity of spinel oxides, enabling the adsorbent to treat larger volumes of fuel while maintaining high selectivity for refractory sulfur compounds without rapid saturation.
2Ease of repair
If solvent washing regeneration process is used, then adsorbed compounds are removed, but severe operating conditions and higher hydrogen consumption are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical and physical parameters of the adsorbent material by incorporating spinel oxide components and adsorption enhancers, which alter the binding characteristics of sulfur compounds. This enables the adsorbent to be regenerated under milder conditions with reduced hydrogen consumption compared to conventional impregnation adsorbents, while still effectively removing adsorbed sulfur compounds through thermal or chemical regeneration processes.
3Productivity
If conventional adsorbents are used, then sulfur compounds are adsorbed, but saturation occurs quickly requiring frequent regeneration
Solution Approach 1:
The composite structure combining zinc oxide with spinel oxide and adsorption enhancer creates synergistic effects that significantly increase the adsorption capacity for refractory sulfur compounds. The spinel oxide component provides additional active sites and enhances the overall stability of the adsorbent, allowing it to maintain high productivity over extended operational periods before requiring regeneration, thus extending the duration of action.
4Quantity of substance
If high surface area adsorbent is used to increase adsorption capacity, then more sulfur compounds can be removed, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes porous zinc oxide as the base component, which inherently provides high surface area and porosity necessary for increased adsorption capacity. The porous structure is naturally formed during the synthesis process and requires minimal additional processing to achieve the desired surface characteristics, thereby maintaining manufacturing simplicity while delivering high adsorption capacity for refractory sulfur compounds.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adsorbent achieves enhanced adsorption capacity for refractory sulfur compounds, reducing hydrogen consumption and extending operational duration, while maintaining high porosity and surface area, effectively treating refinery streams with high sulfur content.
Implementation Method 1
adsorbent composition(s) comprising of base component, reactive metal oxide component and an adsorption enhancer component in synergy with base component for removal of refractory sulfur compounds
Implementation Method 2
reactive metal oxide component comprising of spinel oxide
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a adsorbent composition for removing refractory sulphur compounds from refinery streams comprising of base component in the range of 10 to 50 wt %, spinel oxide in the range of 20 to 60 wt % as a reactive metal oxide component and bimetallic alloy in the range of 10 to 40 wt % acting as an adsorption enhancer component, wherein the adsorption enhancer component acts in synergy with base component. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of said composition by mixing in solid state fine particles of base component, spinel oxide and bimetallic alloy, homogenizing the mixture thus obtained with solvent, peptizing the wet solid with dilute mineral acid, extruding the peptized material with extrusion aiding agents, drying the extrudates, further calcining the dried extrudates and reducing the calcined material under hydrogen flow.