Waste of Copper Alloy Chips as Biogas Desulfurizer

Abstract

Abstract-The existence of hydrogen sulfide(H 2 S)as impurities in the biogas resulting problematic for using biogas as a fuel since it will increase the acidity of the lubricant of the engine. Hydrogen sulfide is a corrosive gas that can corrodes the steel tank of biogas container. Other problem concerning H 2 S is, this type of gas is a harmful gas that should be avoided. This work introduces a technique to utilize copper alloy chips waste that is obtained from manufacturing process. By galvanic coupling with iron chips in salt water the Fe 2+ is released on the surface of iron chips and react with H 2 S to produce FeS. The iron chips that are used for this purpose also come from the iron chips waste. It is found the more addition of iron chips in to the mixture of copper chips the more reactive the desulfurizer.Index Terms-Copper, galvanic, coupling, biogas, desulfurizerhidrofen sulfide. I. INTRODUCTIONHydrogen sulfide (H 2 S)impurities in the biogas has to be removed before combusted to prevent toxicity, environmental problem caused by emission of sulfur (S) compound, and corrosion on equipment [1].Some method for desulfurization that was established such method of sulfate-resistant Acidithiobacillysthiooxidans AZ11 [2]. This technique is not much attracting attention from the consumer because it was not easy to handle the bacteria.Foam formation from the gas stream [1] was introduced in the early beginning method for the removal of H 2 S.This technique was not attract the customer because the reason of simplicity, especially for the consumer from developing country.Natural product such as zeolite can be used as desulfurizer [3]. Cost to delivery zeolite from mining location to the place of biogas installation could be a problem. Zeolite is a mining product with reasonable price but only available in certain region.It was an interesting idea to utilizea waste for desulfurizer [4]. The waste that was used come from sewage sludge and [6]. By utilizing steel chips waste, the regenerative type of desulfurizer can be developed. This type of desulfurizer can be use repetitively and already successful as a component for conversion of gasoline to biogas fueled single cylinder of four stroke engine of electric generator [7].The metal waste from manufacturing industry are not only steel of iron but other type such as aluminium chips waste are much available because many component of the engine are made from aluminium. Aluminium is not reactive to H 2 S even though in the form of aluminium oxide but can be used as desulfurizer [8] with galvanic coupling method [9].The remaining of metal chips waste is copper alloy such as brass. It is the purpose of this research to use the waste of copper alloy chips as desulfurizer by using galvanic coupling method. Galvanic coupling is a potential difference that exists between two joined dissimilar metals immersed in electrolyte solution. The potential difference yield electron flow and metal ion will be released from one of the coupling [9]. The metal ion will react with H 2 S in ...