Development of a sustainable nitrogen-doped biochar desulfurizer for solid oxide fuel cell systems. (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Setiawan, Hendrik; Sakamoto, Mio; Fujisaki, Takaya; Lyth, Stephen Matthew; Shiratori, Yusuke
• Is Part Of: Biomass and bioenergy. Volume 167(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: Biochar -- H2S -- Adsorption -- Digestate liquid -- Nitrogen-doping; Biomass energy -- Periodicals; Biomass -- Periodicals; Energy-Generating Resources -- Periodicals; Bioénergie -- Périodiques; 333.9539
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biombioe.2022.106631
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0961-9534

Abstract

Abstract: Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) running on biogas can undergo performance degradation if a trace H2 S is present in the fuel. Here, nitrogen-doped rice husk biochar was employed as a sustainable material for desulfurization of biogas via adsorption. The biochar was doped with nitrogen using NH3 evaporated from ammonia solution, as a simulated digestate liquid, and this was found to significantly improve H2 S adsorption. Furthermore, the total H2 S adsorption capacity was 2.3 times higher compared to biochar treated with a pure NH3 gas source. This improvement was attributed to lower pyridinic-N content, leading to a lower degree of O* radical formation, and ultimately, better micropore utilization. Highlights: Production and modification of biochar to create a high-performance desulfurizer. Increasing the adsorption capacity of biochar by N-doping using NH3 that can be obtained from biogas production process. Understanding the H2 S adsorption mechanism by nitrogen-doped biochar. Simple calculation for the operation of biogas-fueled solid oxide fuel cell system using the produced desulfurizer.