Enhanced sulfur removal by a tuned composite structure of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Al elements

Abstract

Several combinations of high sulfur affinity elements of Cu, Zn, Fe, and Al were used to prepare sorbent materials that remove hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from air contaminated streams. The combination of these four elements in composite crystallinity structure resembling hydrotalcite-like and aurichalcite-like compounds showed excellent H2S uptake. Further tuning of the relative ratio among these elements resulted in outstanding H2S uptake. XRD revealed that the final sorbent material was featured by crystallinity structure that had two adjacent lower reflection angles. The experimental test showed H2S uptake was around 39% of the sorbent material weight when the concentration of H2S in the outlet was less than 0.5% of its concentration in the inlet. The sorbent material showed high sulfur removal efficiency at ambient temperature without prior calcination.