Effect of Al2O3 content on the adsorptive properties of Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 for removal of odorant sulfur compounds

Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 adsorbents for removal of odorant sulfur compounds were prepared with various Al/Cu molar ratios by co-precipitation method. The sulfur removing ability as a function of Al/Cu molar ratio of the adsorbents for t-butyl mercaptan (TBM), tetrahydro thiophene (THT), dimethyl disulfide (DMS) and H2S were investigated at 250 °C and 6000 h−1 space velocity. Based on the results of adsorption capacity and characterization by various techniques, the optimum Al/Cu ratio for maximum sulfur removal capacity is found to be at Al/Cu molar ratio of 0.15 which possesses the well-dispersed Cu species with high reducibility. The adsorption capacity is highest for H2S followed by TBM, DMS and THT. The main role of Al2O3 component is to provide the dispersion of CuO species homogeneously with small particle formation and high reducibility.