Desulfurization Behavior of Cerium–Iron Mixed Metal Oxide Sorbent in Hot Coal Gas

Ce–Fe mixed metal oxide sorbent C2F3B850 was prepared by using cerium oxide and red mud (an iron oxide waste from a steel company). The ability of C2F3B850 (CeO₂/red mud = 0.85) was evaluated over a fixed-bed reactor in a simulated coal-derived gas. It was found that the main active components of sorbent C2F3B850 were cerium and iron oxides, the addition of red mud in CeO₂-based sorbent could decrease sulfurization temperature, and 500 °C is the best temperature for sulfurization in the range of 500–700 °C. After eight successive sulfurization–regeneration cycles over C2F3B850, the regenerated sorbent still performed well with no apparent deterioration. The average breakthrough sulfur capacity corresponding to H₂S concentrations below 50 ppmv is 9.97 (g S/100 g sorbent). Sorbent C2F3B850 during successive sulfurization–regeneration cycles was characterized by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and nitrogen adsorption–desorption techniques. The results reveal that the C2F3B850 sorbent with good durability, high efficiency, and high mechanical strength is suitable for desulfurization of hot coal-based gas in the chemical industry.