A reduction in the spalling of zinc titanate desulfurization sorbents through the addition of lanthanum oxide

Initial results of introducing La2O3 into zinc titanate, a potential regenerable desulfurization sorbent, to reduce the spalling of zinc titanate and other similar type mixed metal oxide sorbents used in hot coal-derived fuel gas desulfurization are presented. Sorbents were tested in a bench scale high temperature-low pressure fixed bed reactor using simulated coal-derived hot fuel gas and then removed for analysis. No signs of spalling or physical degradation after five cycles with steam regeneration was observed. The reactivity and capacity of the sorbent was comparable to standard zinc titanate sorbents. Primary analysis consisted, of scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, total sulfur analysis, and X-ray diffraction.