Modeling of a Large-Scale High Temperature Regenerative Sulfur Removal Process

Regenerable mixed metal oxide sorbents are prime candidates for the removal of hydrogen sulfide from hot gasifier gas in the simplified integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) process. As part of the regenerative sulfur removal process development, reactor models are needed for scale-up. Steady-state kinetic reactor models are needed for reactor sizing, and dynamic models can be used for process control design and operator training.

The regenerative sulfur removal process to be studied in this paper consists of two side-by-side fluidized bed reactors operating at temperatures of 400-650°C and at elevated pressure. In this paper, hydrodynamic modeling equations for dense fluidized bed and freeboard are applied for the prediction of the performance of a large-scale regeneration reactor.

These equations can partly explain the differences in modeling results observed with a simpler model that does not account for bed hydrodynamics. The pilot-scale test run results, obtained in the test runs of the sulfur removal process with real coal gasifier gas, have been used for parameter estimation.

The validity of the reactor model for commercial-scale design applications is discussed.