Kinetic and statistical studies of adsorptive desulfurization of diesel fuel on commercial activated carbons

Diesel fuel desulfurization by different commercial activated carbons was studied in a batch adsorber. Experiments, carried out to determine the sulfur adsorption dependency on time, were used to perform kinetic characterization and to screen the best performing activated carbon. The equilibrium characterization of the adsorption process was also performed. The statistical study of the process was undertaken by way of a two-level one-half fractional factorial experimental design with five process parameters. Individual parameters and their interaction effects on sulfur adsorption were determined and a statistical model of the process was developed. Chemviron Carbon SOLCARB (TM) C3 was found to be the most efficient adsorbent. The kinetic pseudo-second order model and Freundlich isotherm are shown to exhibit the best fits of experimental data. The lowest achieved sulfur concentration in treated diesel fuel was 9.1 mg kg(-1).