Study on desulfurizing and defoaming performance of cocurrent-flow rotating packed bed coupled with cyclone separator

High-gravity desulfurization is an effective desulfurization technology. However, to achieve efficient desulfurization under low pressure drop conditions, it is necessary to enhance both the desulfurization efficiency and defoaming performance in a cocurrent-flow configuration. In this work, the cocurrent-flow rotating packed bed (CFRPB) coupled with cyclone separator was proposed. The results demonstrated that the CFRPB coupled with cyclone separator exhibited notable desulfurizing and defoaming efficiencies under low pressure drop, outperforming conventional RPBs. Under the optimal operating conditions, the desulfurizing efficiency, mass-transfer coefficient, liquid content of outlet gas, and defoaming efficiency can reach 98 %, 626 mol/(m³·s), 0.2 g/m³, and 93 %, respectively. Compared to using a standalone CFRPB, the liquid content of outlet gas decreased by 2.6 g/cm³, and the export concentration of SO₂ reduced by 10 %-20 % to a minimum of 10 ppm. Taken together, this novel technology indicates significant application potential in the treatment of industrial sulfur-containing gases.