Desulfurization, Tar Cracking, and Ammonia Cracking

Various syngas production methods, including coal, biomass, and waste gasification processes, can generate a range of potentially problematic and hazardous byproducts. These include ammonia, several sulfur species, and a broad-based group of hydrocarbon contaminants collectively known as tars. The concentration of these contaminants varies based on gasifier feed materials, design, and operating conditions. However, all of these contaminants have the potential to poison downstream syngas conversion catalysts, damage or reduce the life of process equipment, contaminate products, and result in the release of dangerous substances into the environment.

Southern Research has extensive experience and proven success in developing, assessing, and applying sorbents and catalysts for the safe and cost-effective removal of trace metals from syngas before contaminant-related problems occur. Utilizing Southern Research's world-class laboratory and pilot plant facilities, we provide assessment and validation of clients' sorbents, catalysts, and scrubber systems. Our advanced testing facilities include representative, large-scale pilot plant gasifier and syngas conversion systems in addition to laboratory and bench-scale reactors and other systems.

Desulfurization

Southern Research has extensive expertise in syngas desulfurization, including:

• Development of designer sorbents and injection processes to optimize their effectiveness in capturing sulfur and other trace contaminants from syngas, thereby protecting and extending the life of filters, conversion catalysts, fuel cells, gas separation membranes, and other sensitive process equipment while improving product quality
• Demonstration and improvement of caustic and biosolvent-based syngas scrubbing systems
• Evaluation of commercial and custom-developed sorbents based on zinc, iron, and other formulations
• Achievement of ppb-level removal of H₂S in syngas slipstream during a fuel cell demonstration
• Optimization of desulfurization sorbents developed by the Department of Energy
• Validation and improvement of syngas scrubbers for removal of sulfur and a wide range of different tar species

Tar and Ammonia Cracking

We offer comprehensive capabilities in tar and ammonia cracking that include:

• Development and validation of cracking and reforming catalysts for tars and ammonia aimed at protecting and extending the life of filters, conversion catalysts, fuel cells, gas separation membranes, and other sensitive process equipment while improving product quality
• Design and assessment of systems for high-temperature cracking of tar and ammonia at 1650°F to 1750°F using nickel-based catalysts
• Assessment of lower-temperature tar cracking at 800°F using modified FCC catalysts
• Development of a process for destruction of ammonia using reverse SCR at 700°-800°F
• Achievement of ammonia conversion up to 99% and benzene conversion up to 97%