Purification of renewable gas: Study of H2S trapping by iron oxide based materials

Production of biomethane from biogas is a developing sector which could allow to reduce our dependency on fossil energy. In France, ADEME and gas suppliers aim to achieve the substitution of all the fossil natural gas with 100% renewable biomethane in 2050. In this context, the biogas treatment chain to produce biomethane has to be optimized to reach a high purity gas.
Among the units necessary in the epuration process, H2S removal is an important step. Scavengers can be used for hydrogen sulfide capture. These scavengers can be adsorbent sometimes coated with an active phase as iron oxide or/and hydroxide. Thus, a chemical reaction takes place between iron (hydr)oxide and H2S, and in the presence of oxygen, (hydro)oxide regeneration is possible. If chemical reactions on the surface of the active phase are well described, a lack of knowledge concerning limiting factors of the reaction (diffusion, storage, availability of reactive species) exists. The aim of this PhD project is to identify physical-chemical mechanisms involved during the H2S removal. For that purpose, after a literature review, the candidate will select scavenger to be characterized by analytical techniques (TGA under reactive atmosphere, XRD, FTIR spectroscopy ex/in situ, …). Experimental set up will be adapted to follow the sulfurization of these scavengers to clarify involved mechanisms. 

Keywords: reactive adsorption, H2S, iron sponge

• Academic supervisor    Dr Igor BEZVERKHYY, Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire Carnot de Bourgogne (ICB), Igor.Bezverkhyy@u-bourgogne.fr, ORCID : 0000-0001-8762-6687
• Doctoral School    ED 553 - Ecole Doctorale Carnot – Pasteur, Université de Bourgogne
• IFPEN supervisor    Dr Gaëlle LEBRUN, ORCID :0009-0009-4954-2760
• PhD location    IFPEN, Lyon, France
• Duration and start date    3 years, starting in the fourth quarter 2024 
• Employer    IFPEN, gross salary 2425 €/month 1st year (revalued each year)
• Academic requirements    Master degree in Chemistry, Materials sciences, Chemical Engineering
• Language requirements    English level B2 (CEFR)    
• Other requirements    Knowledge in adsorption and catalysis, and/or in materials characterizations techniques are welcome.

To apply, please send your cover letter and CV to the IFPEN supervisor indicated here below.