Alternative low-cost solid media for scrubbing of hydrogen sulphide frompiggery biogas

摘要

Australian pig producers arc increasingly using biogas from on-farm manure management for shed heating and electricity generation. However, hydrogen sulphide (H2S), a toxic and corrosive gas ingredient in raw piggery biogas, is currently impeding further adoption of biogas technology. To remove H2S, biogas is typically passed through a packed column containing a commercial solid medium with an active ingredient (such as iron) which reacts with and sequesters H2S while allowing the treated biogas to pass to the point of use (Skerman etal. 2012). However, periodic replacement of media (when spent) represents a significant operating cost for pig producers using biogas, consuming as much as 20% of the financial benefit of using the biogas. The aim of this laboratory-scale study, batch H2S sorption/reaction was to evaluate and compare the performance of a commercial scrubbing medium with that of several low-cost, agricultural and industrial by-products.