Desulfurization of natural gas feedstock

Industrial process of Methanol

Natural Gas

Desulfurization

Syngas Production

Methanol Synthesis

Methanol Distillation

Pure methanol

Purpose of Desulfurization
Since the synthesis gas production is a catalytic

operation, the presence of trace organic sulfur components in natural gas can lead to poisoning of the catalyst, also affecting the downstream processes. The organic sulfur compounds in natural gas can be removed by the process of desulfurization ie. hydrodesulfurization or simply by reacting them with ZnO depending on the sulfur components.

Requirements of the reactant

High sulfur capacity (minimum replacement

frequency, small size) Low cost Reducing total sulfur concentration to sub-ppm levels Inertness (no side reactions or chemisorption of hydrocarbons) Tolerance to possible natural gas contaminants (hydrocarbons, CO2, H2O) Ease of disposal (no toxicity, flammability, pyrophorocity

Reaction Equations
Main reaction of zinc oxide with hydrogen sulfide

H2S + ZnO ZnS + H2O Secondary reaction of zinc oxide with simple sulfur compounds: (i) Organic sulfur compounds react with hydrogen to form hydrogen sulfide: CS2 + 4H2 CH4 + 2H2S C2H5SH + H2 C2H6 + H2S Then hydrogen sulfide is absorbed by zinc oxide H2S + ZnO ZnS + H2O (ii) Zinc oxide reacts directly with organic sulfur compounds COS + ZnO ZnS + CO2

Reaction Equations
Component Methane Feedstock 1 80.73 Feedstock 2 88.73 Feedstock 3 97.7

Ethane
Nitrogen Carbon Dioxide Hydrogen Sulphide

16.97
0.45 1.83 0.02

8.97
0.45 1.83 0.02

0.45 1.83 0.02

Assumptions: The only sulphur component is hydrogen sulphide Conclude main equation: H2S + ZnO ZnS + H2O

Natural Gas (Containing H2S)

Design Specifications:
Reactor: Packed Bed Operating 180 400 Temperature (oC): Operating Pressure (MPa)
Zinc oxide bed ZnO + H2S ZnS + H2O

Desulfurized natural gas

Raw Gas

Product Gas

Conclusion
Purpose of desulfurization: Remove sulfur which acts as poison to the catalyst Reactant: ZnO Main equation: H2S + ZnO ZnS + H2O Design Criteria:
Reactor: Packed Bed Operating 180 400 Temperature (oC): Operating Pressure (MPa) 4

References
Zinc Oxide desulfurization catalyst. 2011. [ONLINE] Available at: http://chinahuge.en.alibaba.com/product/385974673210826332/Zinc_Oxide_desulfurization_catalyst.html. [Accessed 02 August 11]. Organics Group Plc. 2011. Hydrogen Sulfide Scrubbers. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.coastalchem.com/PDFs/Engelhard/Zn9201Eapplicationsbrochure.pdf. [Accessed 02 August 11]. M. Art. 2008. Desulfurization by Hot Zinc Oxide. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.cheresources.com/invision/topic/5583-how-to-design-adsorber/. [Accessed 02 August 11]. CCS Guide. 2010. The main various process steps in pre-combustion CO2 capture. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.ntnu.no/ccs/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10 0&Itemid=131. [Accessed 02 August 11]. Research Institute of Petroleum Industry. 2009. Hydrodesulfurization (HDS). [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.ripi.ir/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=61. [Accessed 02 August 11].