Patent ID: 6454935
Filing Date: 2002-09-24
Classification: C10G,H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A method for desulfurizing a liquid gasoline fuel stream so as to convert the gasoline fuel stream into a low sulfur content fuel, which low sulfur content fuel is suitable for use in a fuel processing section in a fuel cell power plant, said method comprising the steps of:a) providing a nickel reactant desulfurization station which is operative to convert sulfur contained in organic sulfur compounds contained in the fuel stream to nickel sulfide; b) maintaining said nickel reactant desulfurization station at a temperature in the range of about 300Â° F. to about 450Â° F.; c) introducing a mixture of about 2% to about 5% by weight water and a liquid gasoline fuel stream into said nickel reactant desulfurization station, said water being present in said mixture in an amount which is effective to provide a low sulfur content gasoline fuel stream at an exit end of said nickel reactant station, which low sulfur content gasoline fuel stream contains no more than about 0.05 ppm by weight sulfur; and d) said water being at least partly consumed by said nickel reactant during said desulfurizing step, said low sulfur content gasoline fuel stream being formed so long as said nickel reactant continues to consume the water.