Gaseous elemental mercury (Hg0) removal test using copper-based sorbent that is coated with copper oxide (CuO) on surface of the honeycomb-shaped support was performed in O2/CO2 blown coal gasification gas. The sorbent piece with 3×3 cell structure was subjected to the removal test in a fixed bed reactor introducing actual syngas from coal. Gas analyses were performed by a gas chromatography and a Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy during the test. Quantitative analysis and X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) measurement of the fresh and the spent sorbents were also performed. Copper oxide in the sorbent reacted with hydrogen sulfide (H2S) to form copper sulfide (Cu2S, CuS). The sulfurized sorbent removed Hg0 from actual coal syngas at around 130°C, 1.9MPaG. These results revealed that the copper-based sorbent is a potential candidate for the dry mercury removal process in gasification gas.
