Apparatus and method for removing sulfur from a hydrocarbon fuel

Abstract

Method and apparatus for removing sulfur from a hydrocarbon fuel. The apparatus includes a combustion reactor ( 3 ) and a sulfur trap ( 4 ) and the combustion reactor ( 3 ) is adapted to operate with an air-to-fuel ratio below 1 and in the presence of steam. The sulfur trap ( 4 ) is located downstream the combustion reactor ( 3 ) and is adapted to remove sulfur compounds formed in the combustion reactor ( 3 ).

1 . An apparatus for removing sulfur from a hydrocarbon fuel, said apparatus comprising: 
 a combustion reactor ( 3 ) and a sulfur trap ( 4 ), said combustion reactor ( 3 ) being adapted to operate such that combustion of the fuel is performed with an air-to-fuel ratio below 1 and in the presence of steam, and wherein said sulfur trap ( 4 ) is located downstream the combustion reactor ( 3 ) and is adapted to remove sulfur compounds in the combustion reactor ( 3 ).    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the combustion reactor ( 3 ) is adapted to operate with an air-to-fuel ratio between 0.2 and 0.5.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the combustion reactor ( 3 ) is adapted to break down at least long hydrocarbon molecules into smaller molecules during operation.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the combustion reactor ( 3 ) is adapted to convert a large fraction of the fuel content of sulfur compounds into H 2 S during operation.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the combustion reactor ( 3 ) is adapted to operate at a temperature of approximately 300-400° C.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the sulfur trap ( 4 ) contains ZnO.  
     
     
         7 . A system for catalytic treatment of a hydrocarbon fuel, said system comprising: 
 a catalytic reactor ( 5 ) located downstream of a combustion reactor ( 3 ) and a sulfur trap ( 4 ), said combustion reactor ( 3 ) being adapted to operate such that combustion of the fuel is performed with an air-to-fuel ratio below 1 and in the presence of steam, and wherein said sulfur trap ( 4 ) is located downstream the combustion reactor ( 3 ) and is adapted to remove sulfur compounds in the combustion reactor ( 3 ).    
     
     
         8 . The system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the catalytic reactor ( 5 ) is a fuel reforming reactor.  
     
     
         9 . The system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the catalytic reactor ( 5 ) is a fuel reforming reactor chosen from the group comprising; a steam reformer, an autothermal reformer and a partial oxidation reactor.  
     
     
         10 . The system as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the system further comprises a plurality of at least one of catalytic reactors and sulfur traps.  
     
     
         11 . A method for removing sulfur from a hydrocarbon fuel, said method comprising: 
 feeding hydrocarbon fuel to a combustion reactor ( 3 ) and in which combustion of the fuel is performed with an air-to-fuel ratio below 1 and in the presence of steam; and    feeding the fuel to a sulfur trap ( 4 ) located downstream of the combustion reactor ( 3 ), said sulfur trap ( 4 ) being adapted to remove sulfur compounds formed in the combustion reactor ( 3 ).    
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the combustion reactor ( 3 ) operates with an air-to-fuel ratio between 0.2 and 0.5.  
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the combustion reactor ( 3 ) breaks down at least long hydrocarbon molecules into smaller molecules.  
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the combustion reactor ( 3 ) converts a large fraction of the fuel content of sulfur compounds into H 2 S.  
     
     
         15 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the combustion reactor ( 3 ) operates at a temperature of approximately 300-400° C.  
     
     
         16 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the sulfur trap ( 4 ) is of a type containing ZnO.  
     
     
         17 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the method further comprises utilizing a catalytic reactor ( 5 ) for removing sulfur from the hydrocarbon fuel, and wherein said combustion chamber ( 3 ) and sulfur trap ( 4 ) are located upstream the catalytic reactor ( 5 ).  
     
     
         18 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the catalytic reactor ( 5 ) operates as a fuel reforming reactor, such as a steam reformer or a partial oxidation reactor.  
     
     
         19 . The method as recited in  claim 17 , wherein the fuel is further treated in at least one of catalytic reactors and sulfur traps.