Treatment of Biogas for Feeding High Temperature Fuel Cells

High temperature Fuel Cells, such as molten carbonates (MCFC) or solid oxides (SOFC) are efficient, with a low environmental impact and can use a variety of fuels, such as biogas. The presence of some poisonous compounds such as sulphides, halides and siloxanes can react with electrodes catalysts and electrolyte leading to the degradation and short lifetime of the cell. The treatment of raw biogas to obtain a FC compatible fuel are mainly based on adsorption processes on suitable materials.
This book reports the most recent applications of these processes with attention to the source and the properties of the biogas and to the characteristics of the FCs. The adsorbing materials of potential interest are reviewed and the preparation methods and treatments aimed to improve the adsorption properties, the stability and regenerability are described. The characterization of the chemical and physical properties involved in these processes is specifically examined. The aspects that concern the development of the adsorption apparatus are considered with particular attention to the target of low residual concentration and high selectivity.