Effects of particle size and gas velocity on bulk sulfation of Al2O3 support in CuO/gamma-Al2O3 sorbent

Abstract

The effects of particle size and gas velocity on sulfation of alumina support of CuO/gamma-Al2O3 sorbent have been determined in a thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA). Sulfation rate of alumina support of CuO gamma-Al2O3, increases with increasing gas velocity LIP to 0.2 m/s and then decreases with a further increase in gas velocity. The bulk sulfation rate of alumina support decreases with decreasing particle size and sample weight. The slight increase of gas velocity enhances the sulfation rate via reduction of gas film resistance but the Outward diffusion rate of SO3 also increases. As a result maximum rate of bulk sulfation appears at about 0.2 m/s. The concentration of SO3 in pores of CuO/gamma-Al2O3 pellet and bulk sulfation rate of alumina support decrease with decreasing particle size.