Removal of aromatic compounds from mineral naphthenic oil by adsorption

The removal of aromatics from mineral naphthenic oil (MNO) by adsorption was studied. Commercial adsorbents were evaluated using batch experiments. The equilibrium data were fitted using the Langmuir equation. Batch experiments were used to estimate pore-diffusion coefficients. Column experiments were performed for two activated carbon samples that presented the best batch adsorption properties. A simulation model was used to predict the breakthrough curves for adsorption and desorption runs. After three cycles of adsorption/desorption, using n-hexane as eluent, only a slight decrease in aromatics capacity was observed. Activated carbon seemed to be adequate for aromatics removal in this system.