Evaluation of the membrane efficiency of both Nafion and sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) using electrochemical membrane reactor toward desulfurization of a model diesel fuel

In this paper, the desulfurization of a model diesel fuel containing thiophene and/or benzothiophene using an electrochemical membrane reactor was studied using commercial Nafion and synthesized sulfonated poly ether ether ketone (SPEEK) with the same 40 wt.% Pt/C electrocatalyst. Thiophene and benzothiophene desulfurization under different current density and constant total charge were investigated toward optimum desulfurization conditions. Dihydrobenzothiophene (DHBT) and thiophene as hydrogenation products and H2S as the product of desulfurization were detected. Desulfurization efficiency of 85% at 20 mA cm(-2) and 75% at 30 mA cm(-2) was obtained for thiophene using Nafion and SPEEK respectively, while benzothiophene desulfurization efficiency was about 70% and 65% related to Nafion and SPEEK. Also, the maximum yield of 85% for DHBT at 40 mA cm(-2). Based on the indirect calculation, the H2S yield approaches 98% and 96% for Nafion and SPEEK system at about 100% selectivity in electroreduction of benzothiophene. (C) 2019 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.