Oxidization of hydrogen sulfide in biogas by manganese (IV) oxide particles

Abstract

Hydrogen sulphide is corrosive to most metallic equipment such as pipelines, compressors, gas storage tanks, engines, turbines and other units. It acts as a strong poison for fuel cells and its combustion leads to SO2 emissions. Due to the problems associated with hydrogen sulphide, it is critical to remove it from biogas before further processing. The removal of hydrogen sulphide from biogas using MnO2, which acts as a sorbent and catalyst, was investigated. The research was conducted in a full-scale agriculture biogas plant using chicken manure and maize silage as substrate. The manganese dioxide (manganese (IV) oxide) was derived from the waste products of a water conditioning system, after manganese removal from drinking water. The obtained results showed significantly better adsorption of hydrogen sulphide and faster regeneration of the bed compared to the bed filled with hydrated iron oxides. The H2S concentration in the treated biogas dropped from about 1,650 to 0-5 ppm.