Optimization of oxidative polymerization-desulfurization of a model fuel using polyoxometalate: Effect of ultrasound irradiation

The possibility of using ultrasound irradiation to enhance a model fuel desulfurization process has been investigated in this work. For this reason, oxidative desulfurization (ODS) and ultrasound assisted oxidative desulfurization (UAOD) processes were applied, using oxygen, as the only oxidative agent, and polyoxometalate (POM) catalysts. The catalysts were analyzed using FT-IR, XRD, EDX, SEM and N-2 adsorption-desorption isotherms along with BET. The response surface method was employed to optimize the ODS and UAOD processes. The ODS results revealed the process could not convert more that 70% of the DBT due to polymer deposition on the surface of the particles and lack of oxygen. Applying ultrasound irradiation in UAOD process solved these issues and increased the DBT conversion rate by 120%. (C) 2019 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.