Patent ID: 6726836
Filing Date: 2004-04-27
Classification: C10G,H01M,Y02E

Abstract:
A method for desulfurizing a hydrocarbon fuel stream so as to convert the hydrocarbon 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 in the fuel stream to nickel sulfide; b) introducing a hydrocarbon fuel stream which contains a molecular hydrogen (H2) additive into said nickel reactant desulfurization station; and c) said H2 additive being present in said fuel stream in an amount which is effective to suppress carbon deposition on said nickel reactant and provide an effluent fuel stream at an exit end of said nickel reactant station which effluent fuel stream contains no more than about 0.05 ppm sulfur.