Acidity reduction using ionic liquids: Extraction, kinetic, and theoretical study

Naphthenic acids (NAs) are toxic compounds naturally present in most petroleum sources with a highly variable concentration depending on their origin. Their occurrence in crude oil can produce severe corrosion problems and catalyst deactivation in oil refineries, consequently impacting their economic value and productivity. Thus, extracting and recovering the NA from crude oil is necessary. In this work, the extraction capacity of two ionic liquids (ILs) of different nature has been studied: 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate, [EMIm][OAc], and tri-hexyltetradecylphosphonium dicyanamide, [P14,6,6,6][CCN2]. In addition, kinetic data were obtained for [P14,6,6,6][CCN2], and a theoretical kinetic model was developed to adjust the experimental data. Two extraction mechanisms have been analyzed using molecular dynamics computational simulations and quantum mechanical calculations. Molecular dynamic results show that a cluster of IL is first formed in each extraction process, and NA molecules are deposited on its surface. Different outcomes are obtained for diffusion coefficient values and radial distribution function. Furthermore, the quantum chemistry calculations show that a proton transfer is thermodynamically favorable in the case of [EMIm][OAc], thus extraction mechanism occurs through a neutralization reaction, whereas for [P14,6,6,6][CCN2], it is not, pointing to a physical extraction.

Automated summary

Naphthenic acids (NAs) are toxic compounds naturally present in petroleum sources and can cause severe corrosion and catalyst deactivation. Two ionic liquids (ILs), [EMIm][OAc] and [P14,6,6,6][CCN2], were studied for their extraction capacity. Molecular dynamics simulations and quantum mechanical calculations were used to analyze the extraction mechanisms, showing that [EMIm][OAc] undergoes a neutralization reaction while [P14,6,6,6][CCN2] undergoes physical extraction.