Surface characterization of Pd/Al₂O₃ sorbents for mercury capture from fuel gas

Issue title: Mercury and Other Trace Elements in Fuel: Emissions and Control

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Baltrus, John P. | Granite, Evan J. | Stanko, Dennis C. | Pennline, Henry W.

Affiliations: United States Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Note: [] Corresponding author. Email: john.baltrus@netl.doe.gov

Abstract: The surface composition of a series of Pd/alumina sorbents has been characterized to better understand the factors influencing their ability to adsorb mercury from fuel gas. Both a temperature effect and a dispersion effect were found. Maximum adsorption of Hg occurred at the lowest temperature tested, 204°C, and decreased with increasing temperatures. Maximum adsorption of Hg on a per-atom basis of Pd is observed at low loadings of Pd (< 8.5% Pd) due to better dispersion of Pd at those loadings; a change in its partitioning occurs at higher loadings. The presence of H2S in the fuel gas acts to promote the adsorption of Hg through its association with Hg in the Pd lattice.

Keywords: mercury, palladium, surface characterization, fuel gas, sorbent

DOI: 10.1080/10241220802509432

Journal: Main Group Chemistry, vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 217-225, 2008