A Process For Cleaning And Removal Of Sulfur Compounds From Low Btu Gases

Production of low Btu fuel gas for use in gas turbines imposes stringent requirements on a gas cleaning process to prevent corrosion and erosion of turbine blades. The gas must be cleaned at high temperatures (1200°-1700°F to achieve maximum efficiency. Battelle-Northwest is developing a venturi scrubber which utilizes a molten salt as the working fluid to clean the gas. The venturi utilizes kinetic energy in the gas to disperse the molten salt in the gas phase. High rates of mass transfer generally obtain as the salt extracts sulfur from the fuel gas. The high velocity salt droplets impinge upon particles to yield effective agglomeration and collection. A highly efficient de-entrainer-demister collects and returns the salt to the feed supply. Laboratory studies have demonstrated process feasibility and a pilot plant has been constructed to accept 50-100 SCFM of fuel gas from Battelle's fixed bed gasifier. Gasifier and pilot plant gas scrubbing equipment are in shakedown operation.