A novel regenerable Fe/activated coke (AC) desulfurizer prepared by impregnation of Fe(NO3)(3) on an activated coke was investigated. Experiment results showed that at 200 degreesC the SO2 adsorption capacity of the Fe/AC was higher than that of AC or Fe2O3. Temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) revealed that H2SO4 and Fe-2(SO4)(3) were generated on the desulfurizer upon adsorption of SO2. Effect of desulfurization temperature was also investigated which revealed that with increasing temperature from 150 to 250 degreesC, the SO2 removal ability gradually increases. The used Fe/AC can be regenerated by NH3 at 350 degreesC to directly form solid ammonium-sulfate salts. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.