EP1576076A1

EP1576076A1 - Method for removing sulfur compounds from gases containing hydrocarbons

Info

Publication number: EP1576076A1
Application number: EP03789265A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Helge Wessel; Markus HÖLZLE; Bernd Vogel; Roland HAGEBÖKE; Michael Hesse; Norbert Wilden
Original assignee: BASF SE
Current assignee: BASF SE
Priority date: 2002-12-19
Filing date: 2003-12-13
Publication date: 2005-09-21
Also published as: CA2511441C; JP4990529B2; US20060035784A1; AU2003293874A1; JP2006511678A; US7837964B2; WO2004056949A1; CA2511441A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for removing sulfur compounds from gases containing hydrocarbons by using catalysts, apart from activated carbon and zeolites, which contain carbon, silver, zinc, molybdenum, iron, cobalt, nickel or mixtures thereof, at temperatures ranging from (-50) to 150 DEG C and under a pressure ranging from 0.1 to 10 bar.

Description

Process for the removal of sulfur compounds from hydrocarbon gases

description

The present invention relates to a process for removing sulfur compounds from hydrocarbon-containing gases on catalysts, with the exception of activated carbons and zeolites, which contain copper, silver, zinc, molybdenum, iron, cobalt, nickel or mixtures thereof.

Coals hydrogen-containing gases - such as Natural gas - usually contain sulfur compounds or must be mixed with malodorous sulfur compounds for safety reasons. On an industrial scale, natural gas is e.g. hydrodesulfurized. However, this is not possible or useful for every application.

The hydrogen necessary for the operation of fuel cells is usually made up

Natural gas won. Natural gas has the advantage of great availability, since at least in the highly industrialized countries there is a close-meshed natural gas network.

In addition, natural gas has a high hydrogen / carbon ratio and thus enables the production of a hydrogen-rich reformer gas. The term natural gas describes a large number of possible gas compositions that can vary widely depending on the location. Natural gas can consist almost exclusively of methane (CH ₄ ), but in other cases it can also contain considerable amounts of higher hydrocarbons. The term "higher hydrocarbons" is understood to mean all hydrocarbons from ethane (C ₂ H ₆ ), regardless of whether they are saturated, unsaturated or even cyclic hydrocarbons. Typically, the proportions of the higher hydrocarbons in natural gas increase with increasing molecular weight and Ethane and propane are typically found in the percentage range, while hydrocarbons with more than ten carbons usually only have a few ppm in natural gas, and the higher hydrocarbons also contain cyclic compounds such as carcinogenic benzene, toluene and xylenes. Each of these compounds can be present in the natural gas in concentrations of> 100 ppm.

In addition to the higher hydrocarbons in natural gas, there are other contaminants that contain heteroatoms. In this context, sulfur-containing compounds that occur in low concentrations in natural gas should be mentioned in particular. Examples include hydrogen sulfide (H ₂ S), carbon oxysulfide (COS) and disulfide carbon (CS ₂ ). Methane or natural gas per se are odorless gases that are not toxic, but in combination with air can lead to ignitable mixtures. In order to be able to detect an escape of natural gas immediately, a small concentration of malodorous substances is added to natural gas, which, as so-called odorants, cause the odor characteristic of natural gas. The odorization of natural gas is required by law in most countries - together with the odorant to be used. In some countries, such as the United States of America, mercaptans such as tert-butyl mercaptan or ethyl mercaptan are used as odorants, while in the member states of the European Union mostly cyclic sulfur compounds such as tetrahydrothiophene are used. Together with the sulfur compounds that occur naturally in natural gas, this results in a large number of different sulfur compounds in natural gas. The different regulations for the composition of natural gas usually allow up to 100 ppm sulfur in natural gas. The situation is similar with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as a feedstock. Liquefied petroleum gas, which contains propane and butane as its main components, must be mixed with sulfur-containing molecules as odor markers, just like natural gas.

The sulfur components in natural gas or LPG can lead to severe and irreversible poisoning of the catalysts in the fuel cell or in the reformer. For this reason, the gases that are fed to the fuel cell must be cleaned of all sulfur-containing components. For this reason, fuel cells always contain a desulfurization unit for the natural gas or LPG used. If the fuel cell is operated with liquid hydrocarbons, e.g. Heating oil, desulfurization is also necessary.

A procedure is preferred in which the hydrocarbon-containing gas is passed in a single pass at room temperature through an adsorber which completely removes all sulfur components as far as possible. The adsorber should preferably be operable at room temperature and at normal pressure. Since the adsorber should be suitable for operating natural gases of different compositions, it is also important that only the sulfur-containing components are adsorbed from the natural gas and the co-adsorption of higher hydrocarbons is suppressed to a negligible extent. Only under these conditions is it possible to achieve high adsorption capacities for sulfur-containing compounds, which corresponds to a sufficiently long service life. In this way, the frequent exchange of the adsorber medium can be avoided.

The co-adsorption of higher hydrocarbons, especially of benzene from natural gas, can also result in legal limits for benzene levels in the adsorber being exceeded and the adsorber unit therefore subject to labeling becomes (carcinogenic). Such adsorbers saturated with benzene also cause considerable additional effort, for example when changing the adsorber medium or when transporting the adsorber for recycling.

EP-A-1 121 922 discloses the adsorptive removal of sulfur-containing organic components such as sulfides, mercaptans and thiophenes from natural gas with the aid of silver-doped zeolites at room temperature. The high silver content is a disadvantage.

Another significant disadvantage of zeolite-based systems is the fact that zeolites readily adsorb all of the higher hydrocarbons found in the gas stream in their pore system. In particular cyclic hydrocarbons, such as. eg benzene are completely adsorbed and can be enriched in the zeolite in the range of a few% by weight. The examples from EP 1 121 977 A2 also show the effectiveness of the catalysts according to the invention for the adsorption of organic sulfur compounds, but not for inorganic sulfur compounds such as H ₂ S and COS.

US-A-2002/0159939 discloses a two-stage catalyst bed consisting of an X zeolite for removing odorants and then a nickel-based catalyst for removing sulfur-containing components from natural gas for operation in fuel cells. A disadvantage of this process is that COS cannot be removed directly but only after hydrolysis to H ₂ S.

It is known from BWK 54 (2002) No. 9 pages 62 to 68 that a simple solution for the removal of all sulfur components from natural gas which are disruptive for use in the fuel cell sector has hitherto been lacking.

The object of the present invention was therefore to remedy the disadvantages mentioned above and in particular to enable the use of hydrocarbon-containing gases contaminated with sulfur compounds for fuel cells.

Accordingly, a new and improved process for removing sulfur compounds from hydrocarbon-containing gases has been found, which is characterized in that catalysts, with the exception of activated carbons and zeolites, which contain copper, silver, zinc, molybdenum, iron, cobalt, nickel or mixtures thereof Temperatures from (-50) to 150 ° C and a pressure of 0.1 to 10 bar. The procedure can be carried out as follows:

The hydrocarbon-containing gas contaminated by sulfur compounds can be very particularly preferably at a temperature of (-50) to + 150 ° C., preferably (-20) to 80 ° C., particularly preferably 0 to 80 ° C., in particular 15 to 40 ° C. at room temperature and a pressure of 0.1 to 10 bar, preferably 0.5 to 4.5 bar, particularly preferably 0.8 to 1.5 bar, in particular at normal pressure, are passed over one or more catalysts according to the invention.

Examples of suitable hydrocarbon-containing gases contaminated with sulfur compounds are natural gas, town gas, biogas and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), preferably natural gas and town gas, particularly preferably natural gas.

The contaminating sulfur compounds are generally COS, H ₂ S, CS ₂ as well as mercaptans and disulfides and for safety reasons, malodorous sulfur compounds such as tetrahydrothiophene, ethyl mercaptan, n-butyl mercaptan, t-butyl mercaptan or mixtures thereof.

Suitable catalysts according to the invention, which can also act as an adsorbent, are those which contain 1 to 99.8% by weight, preferably 2 to 85% by weight, particularly preferably 3 to 75% by weight, in particular 5 to 70% by weight .-% copper, silver, zinc, molybdenum, iron, cobalt, nickel or mixtures thereof and 0.2 to 99 wt .-%, preferably 15 to 98 wt .-%, particularly preferably 25 to 97 wt .-%, in particular 30 to 95 wt .-% oxides from the group MB, IIIB, IVB, VIB, VIII, IIIA and IVA of the periodic table of the elements, which are at least up to 250 ° C solids, such as the oxides of magnesium, calcium, scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, titanium, zircon, chromium, tungsten, boron, aluminum, gallium, silicon, germanium and tin, preferably magnesium, calcium, lanthanum, titanium, zirconium, chromium, aluminum and silicon, particularly preferably contain magnesium, calcium, titanium, zircon, aluminum and silicon, preferably consist thereof. The aforementioned oxides from the group MB, IIIB, IVB, VIB, VIII, IIIA and IVA of the Periodic Table of the Elements can optionally be used as carriers, such as aluminum oxide, titanium dioxide or silicon dioxide.

Among the catalysts according to the invention are copper-containing catalysts which contain 30 to 99.8% by weight, preferably 40 to 85% by weight, particularly preferably 50 to 75% by weight of copper oxide and 0.2 to 70% by weight, preferably 15 to 60 wt .-%, particularly preferably 25 to 50 wt .-% oxides from group IIB, IIIB, IVB, VIB, VIII, IIIA and IVA of the periodic table of the elements, which are at least up to 250 ° C solids, such as Zinc, scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, titanium, zirconium, chrome, molybdenum, tungsten, Iron, cobalt, nickel, boron, aluminum, gallium, silicon, germanium and tin, preferably zinc, lanthanum, titanium, zirconium, chromium, molybdenum, iron, cobalt, nickel, aluminum and silicon, particularly preferably zinc, lanthanum, titanium, zirconium , Nickel, aluminum and silicon contain, preferably consist of it. The copper in these "copper-containing catalysts" can be used in any oxidation stage, for example in the oxidation stage +1 or +2 or elementary (oxidation stage = 0) or their mixtures, preferably in the oxidation stage +2 or elementary or their mixtures, particularly preferably in the oxidation stage +2, can be used.

Among the catalysts according to the invention, molybdenum-containing catalysts are suitable which contain 1 to 80% by weight, preferably 2 to 60% by weight, particularly preferably 3 to 50% by weight of molybdenum oxide and 20 to 99% by weight, preferably 40 to 98 % By weight, particularly preferably 50 to 97% by weight, of oxides from the group MB, IIIB, IVB, VIB, VIII, IIIA and IVA of the Periodic Table of the Elements, which are solids at least up to 250 ° C., for example the oxides of magnesium, calcium, zinc, scandium, yttrium, lanthanum, titanium, zirconium, chromium, tungsten, iron, cobalt, nickel, boron, aluminum, gallium, silicon, germanium and tin, preferably magnesium, calcium, zinc, lanthanum, Contain titanium, zircon, chromium, iron, cobalt, nickel, aluminum and silicon, particularly preferably magnesium, calcium, zinc, titanium, zircon, cobalt, nickel, aluminum and silicon, preferably consist thereof. The molybdenum in these "molybdenum-containing catalysts" can be in any oxidation state, e.g. in the oxidation state +1 to +6 or elementary (oxidation state = 0) or their mixtures, preferably in the oxidation state +2 or +6 or their mixtures.

A preferred embodiment are catalysts containing copper and molybdenum. The copper- and molybdenum-containing catalysts can be used separately in any order or mixed, preferably homogeneously mixed or particularly preferably in the sequence of copper-containing before molybdenum-containing catalyst. Mixtures are usually the simplest variant of the invention and can preferably be used in small applications (e.g. in small fuel cells). In all other cases, it is generally advantageous to separate the catalysts in the order of copper-containing before molybdenum-containing catalyst. Further catalysts, as are known for example from EP-A-1 121 977, can be connected downstream.

The catalysts according to the invention can be prepared by generally known processes, for example by precipitation, impregnation, mixing, kneading, sintering, spraying, spray drying, ion exchange or electroless deposition, preferably by precipitation, impregnation, mixing, sintering or spray drying, particularly preferably by precipitation or Impregnation, especially by impregnation. The powders of catalysts according to the invention generally obtained by precipitation can after the precipitation and the catalysts according to the invention produced by impregnation can, before or after the impregnation, optionally with pore formers such as cellulose, glycerol, urea, ammonium carbonate, ammonium nitrate, melamine, carbon fibers or mixtures thereof , mixed and tabletted with conventional auxiliaries, such as binders, for example formic acid, polyvinylpyrolidone (PVP), polysilicic acid or mixtures thereof and, if appropriate, lubricants such as graphite, stearic acid, molybdenum sulfide or their mixtures, or extruded into any shape and, if necessary, subsequently split are processed.

Non-zeolitic masses are suitable as catalysts of the invention, for example those without a channel structure; activated carbons and those that are doped are also excluded.

The catalysts according to the invention can optionally be activated before or after shaping at temperatures from 250 to 750 ° C., for example in the presence of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, nitrous oxide or mixtures thereof, or generally in a reducing gas atmosphere, in particular in the case of catalysts containing copper or molybdenum.

In connection with a fuel cell system, the method according to the invention can generally be connected upstream, i.e. that after the cleaning of the hydrocarbon-containing gas according to the invention, it can be used to obtain hydrogen which feeds the fuel cell. The method according to the invention is suitable for all known types of fuel cells such as PEM fuel cells, phosphoric acid fuel cells (PAFC), MCFC fuel cells (molten carbonate) and high-temperature fuel cells (SOFC).

When using the method according to the invention in connection with a fuel cell, it may be advantageous not to regenerate the used catalyst directly in the system, but to replace it and to regenerate it separately after removal. This applies in particular to fuel cells with low output.

In the case of fuel cells of larger power units, on the other hand, it can make sense to regenerate or at least partially regenerate the catalyst. For this purpose, the known methods such as thermal desorption at temperatures> 200 ° C. or regeneration by means of reduction / reoxidation of the catalyst can also be used at higher temperatures. The method according to the invention is suitable for stationary and transient applications. Preferred for use in the stationary area are, for example, in fuel cell systems for the simultaneous generation of electricity and heat (such as combined heat and power plants), preferably in the home energy supply. The method for cleaning hydrocarbons for fuel cells in passenger cars (passenger cars), trucks (trucks), buses or locomotives, preferably passenger cars and trucks, particularly preferably passenger cars, can be used preferably for use in the transient area. It does not matter whether the fuel cells are only used to generate on-board electricity or for propulsion.

Examples

Manufacture of the catalysts

Catalyst 1

Composition: 52.5% by weight CuO; 30% by weight of ZnO and 17.5% by weight of Al ₂ O ₃

A mixture of a nitric acid solution of 420 g copper (II) oxide, a nitric acid solution of 240 g zinc oxide and a nitric acid solution of 140 g aluminum nitrate nonahydrate was mixed with a solution of 474 g sodium carbonate in 2 liters of demineralized water in a 50 ° C kept water at a pH of about 6 precipitated and stirred for 3 h. The precipitate was separated off, washed with sodium and nitrate ions with water, dried at 120 ° C. and calcined at 400 ° C. for 1 h. This gave 272 g of the mixed oxide which, with the addition of 1% by weight of graphite, compacted into 20 mm tablets, mechanically pressed through a sieve <1.6 mm, mixed again with 2% by weight of graphite and into tablets of dimension 5 x 3 mm (diameter x height) was pressed. The side compressive strength of the tablets was 66 N.

Catalyst 2

Composition: 40% by weight CuO; 40% by weight of ZnO and 20% by weight of Al ₂ O ₃

Analogous to catalyst 1, a mixture of a nitric acid solution of 120 g copper (II) oxide, a nitric acid solution of 120 g zinc oxide and 60 g dispersed aluminum oxide (Pural® SFC from SASOL) with a solution of 474 g sodium carbonate in 2 liters of demineralized water precipitated and worked up at a pH of approx. 6.5. The calcination was carried out at 300 ° C. for 2 hours. 235 g of the mixed oxide were obtained, which was processed analogously to catalyst 1 into tablets with a lateral compressive strength of 71 N. Catalyst 3

Composition: 73.9% by weight CuO; 21.1% by weight of ZnO and 5% by weight of ZrO ₂

Analogous to catalyst 1, a mixture of a nitric acid solution of 370 g of copper (II) oxide, a nitric acid solution of 105.5 g of zinc oxide and a nitric acid solution of 25 g of zirconium carbonate was mixed with a solution of 474 g of sodium carbonate in 2 liters of demineralized water Falling temperature of 70 ° C and a pH of about 6.5 precipitated and worked up. The calcination was carried out at 300 ° C. for 4 h. 540 g of the mixed oxide were obtained, which was processed analogously to catalyst 1 into tablets with a lateral compressive strength of 66 N.

Catalyst 4

Composition: 50% by weight CuO; 30% by weight of ZnO and 17.5% by weight of Al ₂ O ₃ and 2.5% by weight of ZrO ₂

Analogous to catalyst 1, a mixture of a nitric acid solution of 150 g of copper (II) oxide, a nitric acid solution of 90 g of zinc oxide, a nitric acid solution of 386.3 g of aluminum nitrate nonahydrate and a nitric acid solution of 7.5 g of zirconium carbonate was used was adjusted to a pH of approximately 2.5 with sodium carbonate, precipitated with a mixture of 2 molar sodium hydroxide solution and 0.3 molar sodium carbonate solution at room temperature and a pH of approximately 8, at 50 ° C. for 2 h held and worked up. The calcination was carried out at 600 ° C. for 4 h. This gave 300 g of the mixed oxide, which was processed analogously to catalyst 1 into tablets with a lateral compressive strength of 101 N.

Catalyst 5

Composition: 60% by weight CuO; 20% by weight ZnO, 17.5% by weight Al ₂ O ₃ and 2.5% by weight ZrO ₂

This catalyst was produced analogously to catalyst 4. The compressive strength of the tablets was 100 N.

Catalyst 6 composition: 67% by weight CuO, 26.4% by weight ZnO and 6.6% by weight Al ₂ O ₃

A solution of 320 g of Zn (NO ₃ ) ₂ "6 H ₂ O and 336.4 g of Al (NO ₃ ) ₃ " 9 H ₂ O in 600 ml of water and 2000 ml of a 20% by weight sodium carbonate solution were combined that the precipitation with stirring at a temperature of 50 ° C and a pH of 6.7 to 6.9 was carried out, stirred for 30 minutes, filtered, then washed free of sodium and nitrate, dried at 120 ° C. for 12 h and calcined at 350 ° C. for 2 h.

The previously obtained calcined ZnAI mixed oxide was dissolved in a nitric acid solution of copper nitrate and zinc nitrate so that a total atomic ratio of Cu: Zn: Al = 65:25:10 was obtained and with 2000 ml of a 20% by weight soda solution Analogous to the precipitation procedure described above at 70 ° C. and a pH of approx. 6.8, combined, stirred for 60 minutes, filtered, then washed free of sodium and nitrate, dried at 120 ° C. for 16 hours and calcined at 300 ° C. for 4 hours ,

This gave 320 g of the mixed oxide, which was processed analogously to catalyst 1 into tablets with a compressive strength of 80 N. The BET surface area was 85 m ² / g and the pore volume was 0.29 ml / g (Hg porosimetry).

Catalyst 7

Composition: 65% by weight CuO; 20 wt% ZnO; 6% by weight Al ₂ O ₃ ; 6% by weight of ZrO ₂ and 3% by weight of La ₂ O ₃

The preparation was carried out analogously to catalyst 2 at a nitric acid solution of 215 g of CuO, 66 g of ZnO, 145 g of AI (NO ₃₎ ₃ ^'9H ₂ 0, 20 g of ZrO ₂ and 10 g of La ₂ O _3, but was at a temperature of 70 ° C. This gave 330 g of the mixed oxide, which was processed analogously to catalyst 1 into tablets with a lateral compressive strength of 80 N. The BET surface area was 109 m ² / g.

Catalyst 8

Composition: 60% by weight CuO; 20 wt% ZnO; 10% by weight Al ₂ O ₃ ; 5 wt% ZrO ₂ and 5 wt% MgO

The preparation was carried out analogously to catalyst 2 at a nitric acid solution of 231 g of CuO, 77 g of ZnO, 290 g of AI (NO ₃₎ ₃ ^'9H ₂ 0, 19.2 g of ZrO ₂ and 19.5 g of MgO, however, was conducted at a Temperature of 70 ° C. This gave 350 g of the mixed oxide, which was processed analogously to catalyst 1 into tablets with a lateral compressive strength of 90 N. The BET surface area was 96 m ² / g.

Catalyst 9

Composition: 60% by weight CuO; 20 wt% ZnO; 10% by weight Al ₂ O ₃ ; 5 wt% ZrO ₂ and 5 wt% NiO

The preparation was carried out analogously to catalyst 2 at a nitric acid solution of 264 g of CuO, 88 g of ZnO, 323 g of AI (NO ₃₎ ₃ '9H ₂ 0, 22 g of ZrO ₂ and 22 g of NiO, but was precipitated at a temperature of 70 ° C. 400 g of the mixed oxide were obtained, which was processed analogously to catalyst 1 into tablets with a lateral compressive strength of 80 N. The BET surface area was 114 m ² / g.

Catalyst 10

Composition: 60% by weight CuO; 20 wt% ZnO; 10% by weight Al ₂ O ₃ ; 5% by weight of ZrO ₂ and 5% by weight of SiO ₂

The preparation was carried out analogously to catalyst 2 at a nitric acid solution of 200 g of CuO, 66 g of ZnO, 241 g of AI (NO ₃₎ ₃ '9H ₂ 0, 16.5 g of ZrO ₂ and 16.5 g of SiO ₂ (colloidal; Ludox ™; 50 wt .-% in water), but was precipitated at a temperature of 70 ° C. This gave 300 g of the mixed oxide, which was processed analogously to catalyst 1 into tablets with a lateral compressive strength of 90 N. The BET surface area was 125 m ² / g.

Catalyst 11

Impregnation catalyst of the composition: 14.6% by weight CuO, 7.4% by weight ZnO and 78% by weight Al ₂ O ₃

1.77 kg of aluminum oxide strands with a diameter of 4 mm and a water absorption of 0.557 ml / g were impregnated from the supernatant aqueous solution of 343 g of copper nitrate / liter and 156 g of zinc nitrate / liter, dried at 120 ° C. and for 3 hours calcined at 520 ° C. The soaking process including drying and calcination was repeated. 2100 g of the drinking catalyst were obtained with a liter weight of 844 g / liter, a water absorption of 0.44 ml / g and a cutting hardness of 266 N.

Catalyst 12

Impregnation catalyst of the composition: 71, 15% by weight Al ₂ O ₃ , 18% by weight MoO ₃ ,

7.5 wt% CuO and 3.35 wt% BaO

294 g of aluminum oxide rods in the form of 3 mm trilobes were introduced, soaked with 89 g of ammonium heptamolybdate in 224 ml of water (81% by weight), dried at 120 ° C. and then at 370 ° C. for 75 minutes and 400 ° C. 135 Minutes calcined. It was then impregnated with 155 ml of a 19% strength by weight copper nitrate solution and then dried and calcined as before. Finally, it was impregnated with 260 ml of a barium nitrate solution containing 230 g and then dried and calcined again as before. This gave 405 g of the drinking catalyst with a vibrating weight of 750 g / liter, a water absorption of 0.5 ml / g and a cutting hardness of 9.5 N. Application examples of the catalysts

A heatable tubular reactor with a diameter of 10 mm was each filled with 10 g of one of the previously described catalysts in split form (1 to 2 mm) and operated in a single pass. The exit gas was fed to a gas chromatograph. For the detection of organic carbon compounds by a flame ionization detector and for selective sulfur detection by a flame photometric detector.

At the end of the experiment, i.e. after breakthrough of the sulfur component, the catalyst was removed and the sulfur content was determined using standard methods (e.g. according to Ehrenberger; "Quantitative Organic Elemental Analysis", VCH Verlagsgesellschaft, Weinheim, 1991, page 242 ff.).

Application example 1

Catalysts 1-15 were exposed to a stream of methane containing 1,000 ppm COS. The gas space velocity, that is the volume of gas per volume of catalyst was 1000 ^"\ h the reaction temperature was 25 ° C. The experiment was terminated as soon as step ppm in the exit gas, the amount of COS1.

Table A summarizes the results of the sulfur content of the catalysts subsequently removed.

Example of use 2

Catalysts 1 through 15 were exposed to a stream of methane containing 1000 ppm H ₂ S. The gas space velocity, that is the volume of gas per volume of catalyst was 1000 h ^'\ the reaction temperature 25 ° C. The experiment was stopped as soon as the amount of H ₂ S exceeded 1 ppm in the exit gas.

Example of use 3

Catalysts 1-15 were exposed to a stream of methane containing 500 ppm H ₂ S and 500 ppm COS. The gas space velocity, that is the volume of gas per volume of catalyst was 1000 h ^"\ the reaction temperature 25 ° C. The test was canceled as soon as the amount of H ₂ S and COS together exceeded 1 ppm in the outlet gas.

Example of use 4

The catalysts 1 to 15 were exposed to a gas stream consisting of 60 vol.% Methane and 40% propane, which contained 500 ppm H ₂ S and 500 ppm COS and additionally 2,000 ppm toluene. The gas load, that is to say the volume of gas per volume of catalyst, was 1000 l / the reaction temperature was 25 ° C. The experiment was stopped as soon as the amount of H ₂ S and COS together exceeded 1 ppm in the exit gas.

Table A shows that regardless of the presence of higher hydrocarbons, COS and H ₂ S were still completely adsorbed on the catalyst. Adsorption of the higher hydrocarbons (such as toluene) on the catalyst was not observed.

Table A

Application example 5

Before the start of the experiment, the catalyst was reduced at a temperature of about 200 ° C. and a gas stream of about 1% by volume of hydrogen in nitrogen.

The catalysts 1 to 15 reduced in this way were exposed to a stream of methane which contained 15 ppm by volume of tetrahydrothiophene (THT). The gas space velocity, that is the volume of gas per volume of catalyst was 1000 h ^'\ the reaction temperature 25 ° C. The experiment was stopped as soon as the amount of THT in the outlet gas exceeded 1 ppm.

Table B summarizes the results of the adsorption capacity of the catalyst for THT until termination.

Example of use 6

The tests were carried out analogously to Application Example 5, but the catalysts were not reduced before the start of the test.

Table B shows that the adsorption was lower than in Application Example 5, in which the catalysts were used in reduced form.

Application example 7

To investigate an optimized adsorber cartridge, proceed as follows: Natural gas is used instead of methane. This essentially has the following composition: 84% by volume methane, 3.5% by volume ethane, 0.6% by volume propane, 9.3% by volume nitrogen, 1.6% by volume Carbon dioxide and a total of approx.3,500 ppm higher hydrocarbons (C ₃ - C ₈ ).

The following constituents are mixed into the natural gas: 20 ppm COS, 20 ppm H ₂ S and 15 ppm THT.

The catalyst initially introduced is reduced by 80% in each case, so that approximately 80% of the catalyst bed are optimized for the absorption of THT, while the rest is available for the adsorption of COS and H ₂ S. The gas load, that is to say the volume of gas per volume of catalyst, is again 1000 1 / l ^* h ^"1 ; the reaction temperature is 25 ° C. The experiment is stopped when THT with> 1 ppm for the first time in the off-gas after the reactor The adsorption capacity of the catalyst in g THT / liter of catalyst was calculated from the gas volume flow passed through the catalyst up to this point in time. In all cases, neither COS nor H ₂ S was detectable in the exhaust gas of the reactor at this point in time.

Catalysts 1-15 were exposed to a stream of methane containing 1,000 ppm COS. The gas space velocity, that is the volume of gas per volume of catalyst was 1000 ^"\ h the reaction temperature was 25 ° C. The experiment was terminated when 5 ppm exceed the amount of COS in the exit gas.

Table B summarizes the results of the adsorption capacities for sulfur-containing components.

Table B

Comparative Examples

Comparative Example 1

Analogous to application example 6, commercial Cu-doped activated carbon (G 32-J® from Süd-Chemie; with 4.5% by weight Cu; 0.25 ml / g pore volume and 1000 m ² / g surface) was used as 1 -2 mm grit examined.

The THT adsorption capacity of this activated carbon was 0.9 g THT per liter activated carbon.

Comparative Example 2

Analogous to application example 6, commercial activated carbon (C38 / 4®, Article 2722 from CarboTech, Essen) was examined.

The THT adsorption capacity of this activated carbon was 6.5 g THT per liter activated carbon.

Comparative Example 3

Analogous to application example 6, commercial activated carbon (Norit® RB4 from Norit; with 0.13 ml / g pore volume; 1292 m ² / g surface) was investigated as 1 to 2 mm grit.

The THT adsorption capacity of this activated carbon was 0.5 g THT per liter activated carbon.

Comparative Example 4

Analogous to application example 6, commercial activated carbon (Desorex® K from Lurgi; with 0.55 ml / g pore volume; 1494 m ² / g surface) was investigated as 1 to 2 mm grit.

The THT adsorption capacity of this activated carbon was 0.6 g THT per liter activated carbon.

Comparative Example 5

Analogous to application example 1, commercial Cu-doped activated carbon (G 32-J® from Süd-Chemie; with 4.5% by weight Cu; 0.25 ml / g pore volume and 1000 m ² / g surface) was classified as 1 to 2 mm grit examined.

The COS adsorption capacity of this activated carbon was 1.1 g COS per liter activated carbon. Comparative Example 6

Analogous to application example 1, commercial activated carbon (Norit® RB4 from Norit; with 0.13 ml / g pore volume; 1292 m ² / g surface) was examined as 1 to 2 mm grit.

The COS adsorption capacity of this activated carbon was 0.6 g COS per liter activated carbon.

Comparative Example 7

Analogous to application example 1, commercial activated carbon (Desorex® K from Lurgi; with 0.55 ml / g pore volume; 1494 m ² / g surface) was examined as 1 to 2 mm grit.

The COS adsorption capacity of this activated carbon was 0.55 g COS per liter activated carbon.

Catalyst 13 composition: 1.5% by weight of CoO, 7% by weight of MoO ₃ and 91.5% by weight of Al ₂ O ₃

1981 g of aluminum oxide (Pural® SB from SASOL) and 140 g of ammonium heptamolybdate ((NH ₄ ) ₆ Mo ₇ O ₂₄ x 4 H ₂ O) were mixed dry, with a solution of 69 ml of formic acid (85%) in 458 ml of water and then mixed with a further 500 ml of water and kneaded. The resulting plastic mass was extruded at a pre-pressure of 260 bar into strands with a length of 3 to 8 mm and a diameter of 1.5 mm, dried at 120 ° C. for 7 hours and then calcined at 550 ° C. for 3 hours. The strands obtained were treated by spraying a mixture of 102 g of a 15.9% strength by weight cobalt nitrate solution in 420 ml of water, dried again at 120 ° C. for 7 hours and calcined at 550 ° C. for 3 hours. The catalyst obtained had a liter weight of 736 g / liter, a cutting hardness of 12.5 N, a BET surface area of 250 m ² / g, an ignition loss (at 900 ° C.) of 1.4% by weight and a composition of 1.5% by weight of CoO, 7% by weight of MoO ₃ and 91.5% by weight of Al ₂ O ₃ .

Catalyst 14

Composition: 4.5% by weight CoO, 22% by weight MoO ₃ and 73.5% by weight Al ₂ O ₃

Analogous to catalyst 13, 1641 g of aluminum oxide, 455.1 g of ammonium heptamolybdate, 57 ml of formic acid (85%) in 379 ml of water and additionally 440 ml of water were reacted, extruded, dried, calcined; the strands obtained by spraying a mixture of 356 g of a 15.9% strength by weight cobalt nitrate solution in 121 ml of water, treated with a two-phase nozzle and nitrogen as atomizing gas on a rotating plate heated to 160 ° C., dried and calcined. The received one

The catalyst had a liter weight of 915 g / liter, a cutting hardness of 14.7 N, a BET surface area of 241 m ² / g, an ignition loss (at 900 ° C.) of 2.7% by weight and one

Composition of 4.5% by weight CoO, 22% by weight MoO ₃ and 73.5% by weight Al ₂ O ₃ .

Catalyst 15

Composition: 3% by weight CoO, 15% by weight MoO ₃ , 4.4% by weight SiO ₂ and 77.6% by weight Al ₂ O ₃

Analogous to catalyst 14, 1749 g of silicon-aluminum mixed oxide with an SiO ₂ content of 5% by weight (SIRAL® 5 from SASOL) and 305.4 g of ammonium heptamolybdate, 61 ml of formic acid (85%) in 404 ml Water and an additional 500 ml of water reacted, extruded at a pressure of 171 bar, dried, calcined; the strands obtained are treated by spraying a mixture of 222 g of 15.9% by weight cobalt nitrate solution in 384 ml of water, dried and calcined. The catalyst obtained had a liter weight of 770 g / liter, a cutting hardness of 14.8 N, a BET surface area of 307 m ² / g, an ignition loss (at 900 ° C.) of 2.2% by weight and a composition of 3% by weight of CoO, 15% by weight of MoO ₃ , 4.4% by weight of SiO ₂ and 77.6% by weight of Al ₂ O ₃ .

Catalyst 16

Composition: 3% by weight CoO, 15% by weight MoO ₃ , 4.3% by weight SiO ₂ and 77.7% by weight Al ₂ O ₃

Analogous to catalyst 14, 1586 g of silicon-aluminum mixed oxide with an SiO ₂ content of 5% by weight (SIRALOX® 5 from SASOL) and 343.6 g of ammonium heptamolybdate, 56 ml of formic acid (85%) in 366 ml Water and an additional 750 ml of water reacted, extruded at a pre-pressure of 117 bar, dried, calcined; the strands obtained are treated by spraying a mixture of 234 g of a 15.9% strength by weight cobalt nitrate solution in 729 ml of water, drying and calcining. The catalyst obtained had a liter weight of 602 g / liter, a cutting hardness of 3.95 N, a BET surface area of 265 m ² / g, an ignition loss (at 900 ° C.) of 2.6% by weight and a composition of 3% by weight of CoO, 15% by weight of MoO ₃ , 4.3% by weight of SiO ₂ and 77.7% by weight of Al ₂ O ₃ .

Catalyst 17

Composition: 3% by weight CoO, 15% by weight MoO ₃ and 82% by weight Al ₂ O ₃ Analogous to catalyst 14, 1581 g of aluminum oxide (PURALOX® SCCa 5/150 of

SASOL), 353.3 g of ammonium heptamolybdate, 55 ml of formic acid (85%) in

365 ml of water and an additional 750 ml of water reacted at a pre-pressure of

Extruded 200 bar, dried, calcined; the strands obtained are treated by spraying a mixture of 233 g of a 15.9% strength by weight cobalt nitrate solution in 448 ml of water, drying and calcining. The catalyst obtained had a liter weight of 705 g / liter, a cutting hardness of 2.65 N, a BET surface area of 167 m ² / g, an ignition loss (at 900 ° C.) of 2.8% by weight and a composition of

3% by weight of CoO, 15% by weight of MoO ₃ and 82% by weight of Al ₂ O ₃ .

Catalyst 18

Composition: 3% by weight of CoO, 15% by weight of MoO ₃ and 82% by weight of SiO ₂

1360 g of silicon dioxide strand support (from BASF) with a diameter of 1.5 mm were sprayed with a two by spraying a mixture of 286 g of ammonium heptamolybdate ((NH ₄ ) ₆ Mo ₇ O ₂₄ x 4 H ₂ O) in 1075 ml of water -Phase nozzle and nitrogen as atomizing gas treated in a rotating and heated drum at 160 ° C, dried at 120 ° C for 7 h and calcined at 550 ° C for 3 h.

The strands obtained were treated by spraying a mixture of 780 g of a 15.9% strength by weight cobalt nitrate solution in 1106 ml of H ₂ O, dried and calcined. The catalyst obtained had a liter weight of 530 g / liter, a cutting hardness of 7.88 N, a BET surface area of 51.1 m ² / g, an ignition loss (at 900 ° C.) of 6.2% by weight and a composition of 3% by weight of CoO, 15% by weight of MoO ₃ and 82% by weight of SiO ₂ .

Catalyst 19

Composition: 3% by weight of CoO, 15% by weight of MoO ₃ and 82% by weight of TiO ₂

Analogous to catalyst 18, 1421 g of titanium dioxide extrudate (FINNTI® S 150 from Kemira) with a diameter of 1.5 mm were treated by spraying on a mixture of 306 g of ammonium heptamolybdate in 785 ml of water, dried and calcined; the strands obtained are treated by spraying a mixture of 257 g of a 15.9% by weight cobalt nitrate solution, dried and calcined. The catalyst obtained had a liter weight of 1142 g / liter, a cutting hardness of 5.0 N, a BET surface area of 72.7 m ² / g, an ignition loss (at 900 ° C.) of 6.9% by weight and a composition of 3% by weight of CoO, 15% by weight of MoO ₃ and 82% by weight of TiO _2. Catalyst 20

Composition: 3% by weight CoO, 15% by weight MoO ₃ , 15.6% by weight CaO and

66.4% by weight of Al ₂ O ₃

Analogous to catalyst 18, 1052 g of calcium-aluminum mixed oxide (80% by weight of Al ₂ O ₃ and 20% by weight of CaO; 4 mm strands) were split up as 1 to 2 mm by spraying on a mixture of 217 g of ammonium heptamolybdate in 763 ml Water treated, dried, calcined; the grit obtained was treated by spraying a mixture of 210 g of a 15.9% by weight cobalt nitrate solution in 279 ml of water, dried and calcined. The catalyst obtained had a liter weight of 1134 g / liter, a BET surface area of 142.1 m ² / g, an ignition loss (at 900 ° C.) of 6.0% by weight and a composition of 3% by weight. CoO, 15% by weight MoO ₃ , 15.6% by weight CaO and 66.4% by weight Al ₂ O ₃ .

Catalyst 21

Composition: 3% by weight CoO, 15% by weight MoO ₃ and 82% by weight ZrO ₂

Analogous to catalyst 18, 1383 g of zirconium dioxide carrier (from BASF; vibrating weight 1126 g / l; BET surface area 79 m ² / g) were treated as 1 to 2 mm grit by spraying on a mixture of 286 g ammonium heptamolybdate in 987 ml water, dried, calcined ; the grit obtained is treated by spraying a mixture of 282 g of a 15.9% strength by weight cobalt nitrate solution in 19 ml of water, drying and calcining. The catalyst obtained had a liter weight of 1134 g / liter, a BET surface area of 51.2 m ² / g, an ignition loss (at 900 ° C.) of 1.7% by weight and a composition of 3% by weight CoO, 15 wt% MoO ₃ and 82 wt% ZrO ₂ .

Catalyst 22

Composition: 3% by weight CoO, 15% by weight MoO ₃ , 15.7% by weight MgO and

66.3% by weight of Al ₂ O ₃

Analogous to catalyst 18, 750 g of magnesium-aluminum mixed oxide carrier (BASF; strands 4 mm; 81, 3% by weight of Al ₂ O ₃ and 18.7% by weight of MgO) were split off as 1 to 2 mm by spraying on a mixture Treated 138 g ammonium heptamolybdate in 335 ml water, dried, calcined; the grit obtained was treated by spraying on a mixture of 143 g of a 15.9% strength by weight cobalt nitrate solution in 314 ml of water, drying and calcining. The catalyst obtained had a liter weight of 752 g / liter, a BET surface area of 179.2 m ² / g, an ignition loss (at 900 ° C.) of 5.5% by weight and a composition of 3% by weight. CoO, 15% by weight MoO ₃ , 15.7% by weight MgO and 66.3% by weight Al ₂ O ₃ . Catalyst 23

Composition: 3% by weight CoO, 15% by weight MoO ₃ and 82% by weight Al ₂ O ₃

Analogous to catalyst 18, 915 g of an aluminum oxide (SASOL company) calcined at 975 ° C. for 8 hours were treated in the form of spheres with a diameter of 1 mm by spraying on a mixture of 207 g of ammonium heptamolybdate in 745 ml of water, dried and calcined; the spheres obtained were treated by spraying a mixture of 191 g of a 15.9% strength by weight cobalt nitrate solution in 304 ml of water, drying and calcining. The catalyst obtained had a liter weight of 977 g / liter, a BET surface area of 109 m ² / g, an ignition loss (at 900 ° C.) of 1.8% by weight and a composition of 3% by weight of CoO, 15% by weight MoO ₃ and 82% by weight Al ₂ O ₃ .

Catalyst 24 composition: 3% by weight of CoO, 15% by weight of MoO ₃ and 82% by weight of Al ₂ O ₃

Analogous to catalyst 18, 700 g of an aluminum oxide calcined for 8 hours at 975 ° C. (SASOL company) in the form of balls with a diameter of 1.8 mm were treated by spraying on a mixture of 158 g ammonium heptamolybdate in 570 ml water, dried, calcined; the balls obtained were treated by spraying a mixture of 141 g of a 15.9% strength by weight cobalt nitrate solution in 354 ml of water, drying and calcining. The catalyst obtained had a liter weight of 771 g / liter, a BET surface area of 99 m ² / g, a loss on ignition (at 900 ° C.) of 3.4% by weight and a composition of 3% by weight of CoO, 15% by weight MoO ₃ and 82% by weight Al ₂ O ₃ .

Catalyst 25

Composition: 3.3% by weight CoO, 14% by weight Mo0 ₃ and 82.7% by weight Al ₂ O ₃

Analogous to catalyst 14, 1581 g of aluminum oxide (PURALOX® SCCa 5/150 from SASOL), 353 g of ammonium heptamolybdate, 55 ml of formic acid (85%) were reacted in 365 ml of water and an additional 750 ml of water, extruded at a pressure of 200 bar, and dried , calcined; the strands obtained are treated by spraying a mixture of 233 g of a 15.9% strength by weight cobalt nitrate solution in 448 ml of water, drying and calcining. The strands obtained had a liter weight of 705 g / liter, a cutting hardness of 2.65 N, a BET surface area of 167 m ² / g, a loss on ignition (at 900 ° C.) of 2.8% by weight and a composition of 3.3% by weight of CoO, 14% by weight of MoO ₃ and 82.7% by weight of Al ₂ O ₃ . The manufacturing process is repeated 6 times. 7420 g of these strands were ground into chips of 0.3-0.7 mm, mixed with 222.6 g of graphite and shaped into tablets with a diameter of 1.5 mm and a height of 2.5 mm. The tablets had a lateral compressive strength of 40 N, a vibrating weight of 906 g / l, a surface area of 236 m ² / g and a loss on ignition (at 900 ° C.) of 5.8% by weight.

Catalyst 26

Composition: 3.3% by weight of CoO, 1% by weight of MoO ₃ and 82.7% by weight of Al ₂ O ₃

150 liters of water containing 5 kg of formic acid were added to 250 kg of aluminum oxide (Pural® SB from SASOL). After a viscous paste had been formed, 90 kg of the phosphoric acid molybdenum solution, prepared by reacting 600 kg of molybdenum trioxide (purity of 90%; powder) in 200 kg of orthophosphoric acid and 1500 liters of water, were 3 hours at 100 ° C. and 24 hours at 40 ° C. and filtering, kneaded for 2 hours, extruded into 1.7 mm round strands, dried at 120 to 150 ° C. and calcined at 550 ° C.

200 kg of the carrier thus produced were impregnated with a supernatant 6% by weight cobalt nitrate solution for 2 hours, dried at 120 ° C. for 7 hours and calcined at 450 ° C. for 3 hours. The catalyst obtained had a liter weight of 610 g / l, a cutting hardness of 5.3 N, a loss on ignition (at 900 ° C.) of 6.39% by weight and a composition of 3.3% by weight of CoO, 14 % By weight of MoO ₃ and 82.7% by weight of Al ₂ O _3.

Catalyst 27 composition: 3.3% by weight of CoO, 14% by weight of MoO ₃ and 82.7% by weight of Al ₂ O ₃

The preparation was carried out analogously to catalyst 26. In addition, post-heating was carried out at 500 ° C. for 2 h. The catalyst obtained had a liter weight of 613 g / l, a cutting hardness of 5.1 N, a loss on ignition (at 900 ° C.) of 5.5% by weight and a composition of 3.3% by weight of CoO, 14 % By weight of MoO ₃ and 82.7% by weight of Al ₂ O _3.

Catalyst 28

Composition: 3.3% by weight of CoO, 14% by weight of MoO ₃ and 82.7% by weight of Al ₂ O ₃

The preparation was carried out analogously to catalyst 26. In addition, post-heating was carried out at 600 ° C. for 2 h. The catalyst obtained had a liter weight of 627 g / l, a cutting hardness of 5.1 N, a loss on ignition (at 900 ° C.) of 4.6% by weight and a composition of 3.3% by weight of CoO, 14 % By weight of MoO ₃ and 82.7% by weight of Al ₂ O ₃ . Catalyst 29

The preparation was carried out analogously to catalyst 26. In addition, post-heating was carried out at 700 ° C. for 2 h. The catalyst obtained had a liter weight of 644 g / l, a cut hardness of 4.3 N, a loss on ignition (at 900 ° C.) of 4.2% by weight and a composition of 3.3% by weight of CoO, 14 % By weight of MoO ₃ and 82.7% by weight of Al ₂ O _3.

Catalyst 30 composition: 7.5% by weight of MoO ₃ and 92.5% by weight of Al ₂ O ₃

Analogous to catalyst 14, 1981 g of aluminum oxide (PURAL® SB from SASOL), 140 g of ammonium heptamolybdate, 69 ml of formic acid (85%) in 468 ml of water and an additional 500 ml of water were reacted, extruded at a pressure of 260 bar, dried and calcined. The strands obtained had a liter weight of 735 g / liter, a cutting hardness of 13.5 N, a loss on ignition (at 900 ° C.) of

1.4% by weight, a BET surface area of 261 m ² / g and a composition of

7.5% by weight of MoO ₃ and 92.5% by weight of Al ₂ O ₃ .

Catalyst 31

Composition: 24% by weight MoO ₃ and 76% by weight Al ₂ O ₃

Analogous to catalyst 14, 1641 g of aluminum oxide (PURAL® SB from SASOL), 455.1 g of ammonium heptamolybdate, 57 ml of formic acid (85%) in 379 ml of water and additionally 440 ml of water were reacted, extruded, dried and at a pressure of 240 bar calcined. The catalyst obtained had a liter weight of 856 g / liter, a cutting hardness of 12.2 N, a loss on ignition (at 900 ° C.) of 9.35% by weight, a BET surface area of 252 m ² / g and a composition of 24% by weight MoO ₃ and 76% by weight Al ₂ O ₃ .

Catalyst 32

Composition: 17% by weight MoO ₃ , 5.4% by weight SiO ₂ and 77.6% by weight Al ₂ O ₃

Analogous to catalyst 14, 1749 g of silicon-aluminum mixed oxide mixed oxide with an SiO ₂ content of 5% by weight (SIRAL® 5 from SASOL), 305.4 g of ammonium heptamolybdate, 61 ml of formic acid (85%) in 404 ml of water and additionally 500 ml of water, extruded at a pressure of 171 bar, dried and calcined. The catalyst obtained had a liter weight of 720 g / liter, a cutting hardness of 12.6 N, a loss on ignition (at 900 ° C.) of 7.8% by weight, a BET Surface area of 315 m ² / g and a composition of 17% by weight of MoO ₃ ,

5.4% by weight of SiO ₂ and 77.6% by weight of Al ₂ O _3.

Catalyst 33 composition: 16% by weight MoO ₃ and 84% by weight SiO ₂

Analogous to catalyst 18, 1360 g of a silicon dioxide strand support (BASF) with a diameter of 1.5 mm were treated by spraying on a mixture of 286 g of ammonium heptamolybdate in 1075 ml of water, dried and calcined. The catalyst obtained had a liter weight of 520 g / liter, a cutting hardness of 7.98 N, a BET surface area of 54.1 m ² / g, an ignition loss (at 900 ° C.) of 6.1% by weight and a composition of 16% by weight MoO ₃ and 84% by weight SiO _2.

Examples of the use of the catalysts

Reaction setup and detection

A heatable tubular reactor with a diameter of 10 mm was each filled with 40 ml of one of the previously described catalysts and operated in a single pass. The exit gas was fed to a gas chromatograph. The GC has a flame ionization detector for the detection of organic carbon compounds and a flame photometric detector for selective sulfur detection.

At the end of the experiment, i.e. after breakthrough of the sulfur component (s),. the catalyst was removed and the sulfur content determined using standard methods (e.g. according to Ehrenberger: "Quantitative Organic Elemental Analysis", VCH Verlagsgesellschaft, Weinheim, 1991, page 242 ff).

Application example 8

In the reaction set-up described above, the catalysts 13 to 33 were exposed to a methane stream which contained 15 ppm of tetrahydrothiophene (THT). The gas load, so the volume of gas per volume of catalyst was 7000 ^"\ h the reaction temperature 25 ° C. The experiment was terminated as soon as the exit gas contained more than 100 ppb sulfur. Table A summarizes the results. Application example 9

In the reaction setup described above, the catalysts 13 to 33 were exposed to a gas stream consisting of 60% by volume methane and 40% propane, which contained 15 ppm tetrahydrothiophene (THT) and an additional 2,000 ppm toluene. The gas load, ie the volume of gas per volume of catalyst was 7,000 h ^'1 , the reaction temperature 25 ° C. The experiment was stopped as soon as the exit gas contained more than 100 ppb sulfur. The results are summarized in Table C.

Table C.

Application example 8 Application example 9

[g THT / l _cat ] [g THT / l _cat ]

Catalyst 13 16.1 15.8

Catalyst 14 25.3 24.7

Catalyst 15 17.4 17.0

Catalyst 16 19.0 18.2

Catalyst 17 18.4 18.5

Catalyst 18 14.6 14.4

Catalyst 19 23.2 23.0

Catalyst 20 20.8 21.0

Catalyst 21 19.1 18.6

Catalyst 22 17.5 17.3

Catalyst 23 21.0 20.7

Catalyst 24 22.6 21.6

Catalyst 25 21, 2 20.6

Catalyst 26 22.9 22.1

Catalyst 27 20.4 19.8

Catalyst 28 17.0 17.0

Catalyst 29 10.2 10.2

Catalyst 30 13.9 13.5

Catalyst 31 20.7 20.7

Catalyst 32 20.3 20.5

Catalyst 33 21, 9 22.0 Example of use 10

In the reaction setup described above, the catalysts 13 to 33 became a gas stream consisting of natural gas (which in the present case is essentially 9.27% by volume of nitrogen, 1.64% by volume of carbon dioxide, 84.5% by volume of methane , 3.46 vol .-% ethane, 0.579 vol .-% propane and approx. 12000 ppm other C ₂ - to C ₈ -hydrocarbons), which contains 15 ppm tert-butyl-mercaptan and 15 ppm tetrahydrothiophene , The gas space velocity, that is the volume of gas per volume of catalyst was 7000 h ^~ \, the reaction temperature 25 ° C. The experiment was stopped as soon as the exit gas contained more than 200 ppb sulfur. The results are summarized in Table D.

Table D

Uptake of sulfur-containing compounds ¹⁵

[g / liter catalyst]

Catalyst 13 16.3

Catalyst 14 25.5

Catalyst 15 17.0

Catalyst 16 18.3

Catalyst 17 17.9

Catalyst 18 14.0

Catalyst 19 21, 7

Catalyst 20 19.9

Catalyst 21 17.0

Catalyst 22 17.2

Catalyst 23 20.2

Catalyst 24 18.4

Catalyst 25 19.5

Catalyst 26 22.1

Catalyst 27 19.9

Catalyst 28 16.8

Catalyst 29 10.1

Catalyst 30 13.6

Catalyst 31 20.8

Catalyst 32 18.4

Catalyst 33 22.2 Comparative Example 8

Analogous to application example 10, commercial activated carbon (C38 / 4®, Article 2722 from CarboTech, Essen) was examined. The THT adsorption capacity of this activated carbon was 6.5 g THT per liter activated carbon.

Comparative Example 9

Analogous to application example 10, commercial activated carbon (Norit® RB4 from Norit; with 0.13 ml / g pore volume; 1292 m ² / g surface) was investigated as 1 to 2 mm grit. The THT adsorption capacity of this activated carbon was 0.5 g THT per liter activated carbon.

Comparative Example 10

Analogous to application example 10, commercial activated carbon (Desorex® K from Lurgi; with 0.55 ml / g pore volume; 1494 m / g surface) was investigated as 1 to 2 mm grit. The THT adsorption capacity of this activated carbon was 0.6 g THT per liter activated carbon.

Examples of the use of the catalysts

Reaction setup and detection

A heatable tubular reactor with a diameter of 30 mm was filled with a total of 280 ml of two of the previously described catalysts and operated in a single pass. The exit gas was fed to a gas chromatograph. The GC has a flame ionization detector for the detection of organic carbon compounds and a flame photometric detector for selective sulfur detection.

After the end of the test, ie after breakthrough of the sulfur component (s), the catalyst was removed and the sulfur content was determined using standard methods (for example according to Ehrenberger: "Quantitative Organic Elemental Analysis", VCH Verlagsgesellschaft, Weinheim, 1991, page 242 ff) , applications

Example of use 11

Homogeneous mixture of equal parts by volume of copper and molybdenum catalyst

A homogeneous mixture of equal parts by volume of a copper catalyst and a molybdenum catalyst was used. The natural gas of the following composition:

Nitrogen 9.27%

Carbon dioxide 1.64%

Methane 84.5%

Ethane 3.46%

Propane 0.579% other C ₄ -C ₈ KWs approx. 12000 vol.ppm

20 ppm by volume of H ₂ S, 17 ppm by volume of COS and 10 ppm by volume of tetrahydrothiophene were added. In all experiments, tetrahydrothiophene (THT) broke through the catalyst bed first. The passage times until the breakthrough of THT are shown in Table E:

Table E

Example of use 12

Two separate beds: copper catalyst before molybdenum catalyst

Bulkings of one copper and one molybdenum catalyst were used, whereby the same volumes of both catalysts are used. The copper catalyst was at the beginning of the bed (reactor entrance); at the end of the reactor the molybdenum catalyst. 20 vol. Ppm H ₂ S, 5 vol. Ppm COS and 10 vol. Ppm tetrahydrothiophene were added to the natural gas. The experiment was carried out analogously to application example 11. In all experiments, tetrahydrothiophene (THT) first broke through the catalyst bed. The passage times until the breakthrough of THT are shown in Table F:

Table F

Example of use 13

Two separate beds: molybdenum catalyst before copper catalyst

Batches of a copper and a molybdenum catalyst were used, the same volumes being used for both catalysts. The molybdenum catalyst was located at the start of the bed (reactor entrance); at the end of the reactor the copper catalyst. 20 vol. Ppm H ₂ S, 5 vol. Ppm COS and 10 vol. Ppm tetrahydrothiophene were added to the natural gas. The experiment was carried out analogously to application example 11. In all experiments, tetrahydrothiophene (THT) first broke through the catalyst bed. The passage times until the breakthrough of THT are shown in Table G: Table G

Catalyst 34 composition: 10% by weight MoO ₃ and 90% by weight Al ₂ O ₃ .

480 g of spray-dried aluminum oxide (Pural® SB, from SASOL, liter weight: 951 g / liter; loss on ignition 24.9% by weight) and 49 g of ammonium heptamolybdate (from Riedel de Haen) were mixed, diluted with 85 ml (85% iger) kneaded formic acid, formed into 3 mm strands at a pre-pressure of 100 bar using an extrusion press, dried for 4 hours at 200 ° C. and then calcined for 2 hours at 750 ° C. The catalyst had a BET surface area of 212 m ² / g, a liter weight of 723 g / liter and a pore volume of 0.44 ml / g.

Catalyst 35

Composition: 15% by weight MoO ₃ and 85% by weight Al ₂ O ₃ .

451 g of the aluminum oxide from catalyst 34 and 76 g of ammonium heptamolybdate were mixed, kneaded with 65 ml of dilute (85% strength) formic acid, formed into 3 mm strands at an inlet pressure of 90 bar using an extruder, for 4 hours

Dried 200 ° C and then calcined at 550 ° C for 3 h. The catalyst had a BET surface area of 289 m ² / g, a liter weight of 884 g / liter and a pore volume of 0.40 ml / g.

Catalyst 36

Composition: 20% by weight MoO ₃ and 80% by weight Al ₂ O ₃ .

427 g of the aluminum oxide from catalyst 34 and 98 g of ammonium heptamolybdate were mixed, kneaded with 50 ml of dilute (85% strength) formic acid, formed into 3 mm strands at an inlet pressure of 100 bar using an extruder, for 4 hours

Dried 200 ° C and then calcined at 750 ° C for 2 h. The catalyst had one BET surface area of 294 m ² / g, a liter weight of 823 g / liter and a pore volume of 0.42 ml / g.

Catalyst 37 composition :! 5% by weight MoO ₃ on aluminum oxide with 50% by weight coriderite.

230 g of aluminum oxide (Pural® SB from SASOL), 95 g of ammonium heptamolybdate and 310 g of cordierite (Mg-Al-Si mixed oxide with 20% by weight loss on ignition) were mixed in a dry mixer, diluted with 30 ml (85%) Kneaded formic acid, formed into 3 mm strands in a piston press at 130 bar, dried at 200 ° C. for 4 hours and then calcined at 750 ° C. for 2 hours. The catalyst had a BET surface area of 42 m ² / g and a liter weight of 1027 g / liter.

Catalyst 38 composition: 15% by weight MoO ₃ and 85% by weight Al ₂ O ₃

600 g of aluminum oxide spray powder (Pural® SB from SASOL) were kneaded with 440 ml of water and 18 ml of dilute (85% strength) formic acid, formed into strands with a diameter of 3 mm in a piston press at 95 bar, for 4 hours at 200 ° C. dried and calcined at 750 ° C for 2 h.

These strands were impregnated with a 15.5% strength by weight solution of ammonium heptamolybdate, so that a Mo content of 15% by weight ultimately results (calculated as MoO ₃ ). The catalyst was dried at 200 ° C. for 4 hours and then calcined at 550 ° C. for 2 hours. The strand catalyst had a BET surface area of 143 m ² / g, a water absorption of 0.35 ml / g and a liter weight of 1028 g / liter.

Catalyst 39

Composition: 15% by weight MoO ₃ and 85% by weight Al ₂ O ₃

The preparation was carried out analogously to catalyst 38, but the aluminum oxide strands were calcined at 1050 ° C. for 2 hours. The catalyst had a BET surface area of 87 m ² / g, a water absorption of 0.25 ml / g and a liter weight of 1038 g / liter.

Catalyst 40

Composition: 15% by weight MoO ₃ and 85% by weight Al ₂ O ₃ .

600 g of an extruded aluminum oxide support (from BASF) with a diameter of 3 mm (pore volume of 0.65 ml / g, BET surface area of 223 m ² / g, vibrating weight of 649 g / l) were calcined at 750 ° C. for 2 hours , then with a 15.5% by weight Solution impregnated with ammonium heptamolybdate and then dried for 16 hours at 120 ° C. and calcined at 550 ° C. for 3 hours. The catalyst had a BET surface area of 160 m ² / g, a liter weight of 750 g and a pore volume of 0.5 ml / g.

Catalyst 41

Composition: 15% by weight MoO ₃ and 85% by weight Al ₂ O ₃ .

The preparation was carried out analogously to catalyst 40, but the aluminum oxide support was calcined at 1050 ° C. for 2 hours. The catalyst had a BET surface area of 77 m ² / g, a pore volume of 0.39 ml / g and a liter weight of 750 g / liter.

Example 42

Preparation of a Cu-Zn-Al-Mo catalyst with the composition 37% CuO, 32% ZnO, 17% Al ₂ O ₃ and 14% MoO ₃

495 g of catalyst 19 were impregnated with a 15.5% strength by weight solution of ammonium heptamolybdate, dried at 200 ° C. for 4 hours and calcined at 550 ° C. for 3 hours. The catalyst had a water absorption of 0.24 ml / g, a BET surface area of 38 m ² / g and a liter weight of 1248 g / liter.

Example 43

Production of an Fe-Cu-Al catalyst with 12.5% by weight Fe ₂ O ₃ , 75% by weight CuO and

12.5% by weight of Al ₂ O ₃

A solution of 260 g of iron (II) nitrate nonahydrate, 387 g of aluminum nitrate nonahydrate and 239 g of copper nitrate in 2.5 liters of water was stirred with a solution of 1000 g of sodium hydroxide solution in 2 liters at 70 ° C. and a pH of 11 Mixed water, the precipitate washed with 50 liters of water, dried for 4 h at 200 ° C, calcined for 2 h at 500 ° C, mixed with 3 wt .-% graphite and compressed to 4.75 x 3 mm tablets. The tablets had a lateral compressive strength of 36 N / tablet, a BET surface area of 115 m ² / g and a pore volume of 0.24 ml / g.

Example 44 Preparation of an Al-Ni catalyst with 75% by weight NiO.

A solution of 775 g of aluminum nitrate nonahydrate and 729 g of nickel nitrate in 2.5 liters of water was mixed with a solution of 1000 g of sodium hydroxide solution in 2 liters of water while stirring at 70 ° C. and a pH of 11, the precipitate with 50 liters of water washed, 4 h at 200 ° C for 4 h, calcined for 2 h at 500 ° C, with 3 wt .-% graphite mixed and compressed into tablets 4.75 x 2 mm. The tablets had a lateral compressive strength of 41 N / tablet, a BET surface area of 142 m ² / g and a pore volume of 0.23 ml / g.

Example 45

Production of a Ni-Fe catalyst with 20% by weight Fe ₂ O ₃ .

A solution of 417 g of iron (III) nitrate nonahydrate in 1.5 liters of water and 1750 g of an aqueous solution of nickel nitrate with a Ni content of 13.5% by weight was stirred at 70 ° C and a pH of 11 mixed with a solution of 1000 g of sodium hydroxide solution in 2 liters of water, the precipitate washed with 50 liters of water, dried for 4 hours at 200 ° C., calcined for 2 hours at 500 ° C., mixed with 3% by weight of graphite and 4 , 75 x 2 mm tablets pressed. The tablets had a lateral compressive strength of 43 N / tablet, a BET surface area of 142 m ² / g and a pore volume of 0.23 ml / g.

Comparative Example 11

Preparation of an Ag-doped Na-Y zeolite

250 g of a Na-Y zeolite (CBV® 100 from Zeolyst Int. With an Si / Al ratio of 5.1) were stirred with 2.5 l of a 0.5 molar solution of silver nitrate (424.6 g ), heated to 80 ° C for 4 h, the precipitate filtered off, washed once with 500 ml of water, dried for 2 h at 120 ° C, calcined for 4 h at 500 ° C (heating rate: 1 ° C / min), again with 2 , 5 l of a 0.5 molar silver nitrate solution heated to 80 ° C. for 4 hours, filtered off, with 500 ml of water, dried at 120 ° C. overnight. 372 g of the zeolite were obtained.

Comparative Example 12 Na exchange of the Ag-H-Y zeolite

372 g of the zeolite from comparative example 11 were mixed with stirring with 1860 ml of a 10% ammonium nitrate solution, heated for 4 h at 80 ° C, the precipitate was filtered off, again with a fresh 10% ammonium nitrate solution (1.860 I), 4 h to 80 ° C heated, the precipitate filtered off, washed twice with 500 ml of water, dried at 120 ° C for 2 h and calcined at 450 ° C for 5 h (heating rate: 1 ° C / min). 150 g of the zeolite were obtained. Comparative Example 13

Preparation of a Cu-H-Y zeolite

250 g of the Na-Y zeolite (CBV® 100 from Zeolyst Int. With an Si / Al ratio of 5.1) were mixed with a 0.5 molar solution of copper nitrate (290 g) with stirring for 4 hours Heated to 80 ° C., the precipitate filtered off, washed once with 500 ml of water, dried for 2 hours at 120 ° C., calcined for 4 hours at 500 ° C. (heating rate: 1 ° C./min), again with 2.5 l of a 0, 5 molar solution of copper nitrate heated to 80 ° C. for 4 hours, filtered off, washed with 500 ml of water, dried at 120 ° C. overnight. 253 g of the zeolite were obtained.

253 g of the zeolite were heated with 1200 ml of a 10% ammonium nitrate solution at 80 ° C for 4 h, the precipitate was filtered off, a fresh 10% ammonium nitrate solution (1, 2 l) was added, the mixture was heated at 80 ° C for 4 h, which The precipitate is filtered off, washed twice with 500 ml of water, dried for 2 hours at 120 ° C., calcined for 5 hours at 450 ° C. (heating rate: 1 ° C./min). 100.2 g of the zeolite were obtained.

Comparative Example 14

Cu-doped activated carbon type G-32 J (from Süd Chemie). The activated carbon had a copper content of 4.5% by weight, a surface area of 1120 m ² / g and a bulk density of approx. 550 g / liter.

Experimental Procedure

All catalysts or adsorbers were examined as chips of the fraction 1-2 mm. Only 1.5 mm strands and 1.5 mm tablets were used directly as such. A heatable stainless steel tube, which was flowed through from top to bottom, served as the reactor. 40 ml of catalyst were used per experiment.

A commercially available natural gas (from Linde) was used. This had the following composition: 84.5 vol.% Methane, 3.5 vol.% Ethane, 0.6 vol.% Propane, 1000 vol. Ppm butanes, approx. 1200 vol. Ppm higher hydrocarbons C ₄ - KW; of which 100 ppm benzene; 9.3% by volume nitrogen and 1.7% by volume carbon dioxide.

The gas was passed over the catalyst at a volume flow of 240 liters per hour (space-time velocity of 6000 per hour). All measurements were made at standard pressure and room temperature. The catalysts were not pretreated (eg reduction). A commercial gas chromatograph was used to analyze the gas after the reactor, which had a two-column circuit and two detectors. The first detector, a flame ionization detector (FID), was used to detect the individual hydrocarbons in natural gas, especially benzene. The second detector, a flame photometric detector (FPD) was sensitive to sulfur compounds and allowed the detection of such compounds up to a practical detection limit of 40 ppb.

At the end of the experiment, i.e. after breakthrough of the first sulfur component (detection limit approx. 40 ppb), the catalyst was removed and the content of the content was increased using standard methods (eg according to Ehrenberger; "Quantitative Organic Elemental Analysis", VCH Verlagsgesellschaft, Weinheim, 1991, page 242 ff.) Sulfur determined. With an accuracy of +/- 5%, these results were identical in all cases with the results obtained from the breakthrough of the sulfur-containing component during the measurement.

Tetrahydrothiophene (THT) was chosen as the model substance for organic sulfur compounds, since it is known that, in contrast to terminal sulfur compounds, cyclic sulfur compounds are very difficult to remove by means of adsorption.

Attempts to adsorb inorganic sulfur compounds were carried out with COS and H ₂ S as model substances.

Test series 1: Adsorption of organic sulfur compounds using the example of THT

To measure the adsorption of THT, an average THT content of 15 ppm by volume was impressed on the natural gas via a saturator. The adsorption capacities given below for THT (in g THT / liter catalyst) and for benzene (in% by weight) resulted for the listed catalysts.

The results of the comparative examples are as follows:

The catalysts of the comparative examples show an increase in the adsorption of benzene by a factor of 50.

The following table shows the results of some catalysts according to the invention with comparative examples 6, 7 and 11 to 14. 15 vol. Ppm COS and H ₂ S were metered into the natural gas to be desulfurized. The adsorption capacity for COS and H ₂ S was determined by sulfur determination of the catalysts after the end of the test. In all measurements, COS first passed through the catalyst bed.

It was found that the catalysts of the invention can also be used for the removal of inorganic sulfur compounds from natural gas. High sulfur loads can be achieved. At the same time, the co-adsorption of benzene remains low.

Claims

claims

1. Process for removing sulfur compounds from hydrocarbon-containing gases, characterized in that catalysts, with the exception of activated carbons and zeolites, the copper, silver, zinc, molybdenum, iron,

Contain cobalt, nickel or mixtures thereof, used at temperatures from (-50) to 150 ° C and a pressure of 0.1 to 10 bar.

2. A method for removing sulfur compounds from hydrocarbon-containing gases according to claim 1, characterized in that copper-containing catalysts are used.

3. A method for removing sulfur compounds from hydrocarbon-containing gases according to claim 1, characterized in that one uses molybdenum-containing catalysts.

4. A method for removing sulfur compounds from hydrocarbon-containing gases according to claim 1, characterized in that catalysts containing copper and molybdenum are used together.

5. A method for removing sulfur compounds from hydrocarbon-containing gases according to one of claims 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that one works at temperatures from 0 to 80 ° C and a pressure of 0.8 to 4.5 bar.

6. Use of the method according to one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 for the production of sulfur-free hydrocarbon-containing gases for the production of hydrogen.

7. Use of the method according to one of claims 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 for

Generation of sulfur-free hydrocarbon-containing gases for the production of hydrogen for the operation of a fuel cell.

8. Catalysts, the 1 to 99.8 wt .-% copper, silver, zinc, molybdenum, iron, cobalt, nickel or mixtures thereof and 0.2 to 99 wt .-% oxides from the

Group MB, IIIB, IVB, VIB, VIII, IIIA and IVA of the Periodic Table of the Elements, which are at least up to 250 ° C solids.

9. Catalysts according to claim 8 for use in a fuel cell system.

0. Use of the catalysts according to claim 8 for the removal of sulfur compounds from hydrocarbon-containing gases.