Development of Desulfurization Unit for LPG Use in Fuel Cells

Abstract

LPG is a promising candidate for use in residential fuel cell systems, because the infrastructure to supply LPG is already established. However, no suitable sulfur removal technology is available for LPG. Sulfur concentration in LPG varies widely from a few wtppm to 100 wtppm dependent on the quantity consumed, and so sulfur removers are usually designed with high capacity to include a safety margin. A sulfur remover with capacity matched to the standard LPG cylinder was developed, which would enable easy maintenance by the exchange of both sulfur remover and LPG cylinder at the same time, and is smaller in size than the conventional sulfur remover attached to the fuel cell unit. Investigation of suitable materials found that Cu-loaded activated carbon provided adequate removal of sulfur from LPG. The combination of this new sulfur remover with the standard LPG cylinder is expected to promote the use of residential fuel cell systems.