Desulfurization of Gasoline Feedstocks for Application in Fuel Reforming

Reforming of gasoline for hydrogen production allows the use of the current fuel supply “infrastructure” for fuel cell-based transportation vehicles. However, the levels of organic sulfur present in the gasoline are sufficient to significantly reduce activity and life of the catalysts employed in the fuel processor. Near-term, non-refinery based approaches are needed. We are developing an on-board liquid phase desulfurizer which selectively removes organic sulfur from gasoline streams, prior to reforming. The program targets development of selective adsorbents which can be incorporated in a replaceable cannister. In this paper we describe studies of the adsorption of thiophene, 2-methyl thiophene, and 2,5-dimethyl thiophene from aromatic solvents with ZSM5 zeolite. The results suggest a combination of physical and chemical interactions can occur between the zeolite adsorbent and the organosulfur compounds.