Fuel processing system and method for sulfur bearing fuels

Abstract

A fuel processing system and method for a sulfur bearing fuel include a hydrodesulfurization reactor followed by an adsorbent bed for removing sulfur or sulfur containing species from the fuel. In certain embodiments, the adsorbent bed is a ZnO bed. In another embodiment, a fuel processing system and method for a sulfur bearing fuel include a steam reformer, a hydrodesulfurization reactor, and an adsorbent bed.

1 . A fuel processing system for a sulfur bearing fuel comprising a hydrodesulfurization reactor followed by an adsorbent bed for removing sulfur or sulfur containing species from the fuel. 
     
     
         2 . The fuel processing system of  claim 1  wherein the hydrodesulfurization reactor has an operating temperature between about 280° C. and about 450° C. 
     
     
         3 . The fuel processing system of  claim 1  wherein the hydrodesulfurization reactor is a catalytic reactor. 
     
     
         4 . The fuel processing system of  claim 3  wherein the hydrodesulfurization reactor catalyst is nickel molybdenum catalyst. 
     
     
         5 . The fuel processing system of  claim 1  wherein the adsorbent bed is positioned immediately downstream of the hydrodesulfurization reactor in a processing system. 
     
     
         6 . The fuel processing system of  claim 5  wherein the operating temperature of the adsorbent bed is within about 40° C. of the operating temperature of the hydrodesulfurization reactor. 
     
     
         7 . The fuel processing system of  claim 1  wherein the adsorbent bed is a zinc oxide bed. 
     
     
         8 . The fuel processing system of  claim 7  wherein the zinc oxide bed can be regenerated in place in the processing system. 
     
     
         9 . The fuel processing system of  claim 7  wherein the zinc oxide bed can adsorb at least about 20% of bed weight as sulfur before requiring regeneration or replacement. 
     
     
         10 . The fuel processing system of  claim 7  wherein the zinc oxide bed includes a main bed followed by a guard bed. 
     
     
         11 . A method for processing a sulfur bearing fuel comprising directing the fuel to a hydrodesulfurization reactor, then directing the fuel to an adsorbent bed for removing sulfur or sulfur containing species from the fuel. 
     
     
         12 . The fuel processing method of  claim 11  wherein the hydrodesulfurization reactor is operated at a temperature between about 280° C. and about 450° C. 
     
     
         13 . The fuel processing method of  claim 12  wherein the hydrodesulfurization reactor is operated at a temperature between about 330° C. and about 390° C. 
     
     
         14 . The fuel processing method of  claim 11  wherein the fuel undergoes a catalytic reaction in the hydrodesulfurization reactor. 
     
     
         15 . The fuel processing method of  claim 11  wherein the adsorbent bed is positioned immediately downstream of the hydrodesulfurization reactor in a processing system. 
     
     
         16 . The fuel processing method of  claim 15  wherein the adsorbent bed and the hydrodesulfurization reactor are operated at temperatures within about 40° C. of each other. 
     
     
         17 . The fuel processing method of  claim 11  wherein the sulfur bearing fuel comprises kerosene, gasoline, JP8, Jet-A, diesel, other commodity fuel, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The fuel processing method of  claim 11  wherein the adsorbent bed is a zinc oxide bed. 
     
     
         19 . A fuel processing system for a sulfur bearing fuel comprising a steam reformer, a hydrodesulfurization reactor, and an adsorbent bed for removing sulfur or sulfur containing species. 
     
     
         20 . The fuel processing system of  claim 19  wherein the adsorbent bed is a zinc oxide bed. 
     
     
         21 . A method for processing a sulfur bearing fuel comprising directing the fuel through a steam reformer, a hydrodesulfurization reactor, and an adsorbent bed for removing sulfur or sulfur containing species. 
     
     
         22 . The fuel processing method of  claim 21  wherein the sulfur bearing fuel comprises kerosene, gasoline, JP8, Jet-A, diesel, other commodity fuel, or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The fuel processing method of  claim 21  which further comprises vaporizing the fuel prior to the hydrodesulfurization reactor. 
     
     
         24 . The fuel processing method of  claim 21  which further comprises directing reformate to the hydrodesulfurization reactor, the reformate providing hydrogen to desulfurize the fuel. 
     
     
         25 . The fuel processing method of  claim 24  which further comprises extracting the reformate prior to a water gas shift reactor before directing the reformate to the hydrodesulfurization reactor. 
     
     
         26 . The fuel processing method of  claim 24  which further comprises extracting the reformate immediately following a water gas shift reactor before directing the reformate to the hydrodesulfurization reactor. 
     
     
         27 . The fuel processing method of  claim 24  which further comprises cooling the reformate to condense a portion of the water out of the reformate stream before directing the reformate to the hydrodesulfurization reactor. 
     
     
         28 . The fuel processing method of  claim 27  wherein the reformate after condensation contains less than about 20% water. 
     
     
         29 . The fuel processing method of  claim 28  wherein the reformate after condensation contains less than about 10% water. 
     
     
         30 . The fuel processing method of  claim 27  which further comprises reheating the reformate by exchange with reformate prior to condensing the reformate. 
     
     
         31 . The fuel processing method of  claim 21  wherein a gaseous mixture leaving the hydrodesulfurization reactor is directed immediately to the adsorbent bed which is a zinc oxide reactor. 
     
     
         32 . The fuel processing method of  claim 31  wherein the gaseous mixture comprises a mixture of gaseous fuel, reformate and scrap gas. 
     
     
         33 . The fuel processing method of  claim 31  wherein the zinc oxide reactor removes H 2 S, sulfur or other sulfur containing species. 
     
     
         34 . The fuel processing method of  claim 31  wherein the gaseous mixture is directed to a condenser upon leaving the adsorbent bed. 
     
     
         35 . The fuel processing method of  claim 34  wherein the condenser is operated at a temperature between about 15° C. and about 120° C. 
     
     
         36 . The fuel processing method of  claim 35  wherein the condenser is operated at a temperature between about 35° C. and about 70° C.