Intensification of diesel oxidative desulfurization via hydrodynamic cavitation

A Hydrodynamic Cavitation Assisted Oxidative Desulfurization (HCAOD) process was applied for treatment of diesel fuel feedstock using hydrogen peroxide and formic acid as the oxidant and catalyst, respectively. Investigation on the effect of main process variables including pressure drop (3-6 bar), time of treatment (10-30 min) and formic acid to oxidant molar ratio (n(A)/n(o)) (1-5), was performed through applying Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on Box-Behnken design. Single and interactive effects of the parameters were recognized. A remarkable 95% extent of desulfurization at optimum conditions with HC pressure drop of 4.2 bar, acid to oxidant ratio (n(A)/n(o)) of 3.2 at 29 min was achieved. The results were also compared to an oxidation system without the aid of hydrodynamic cavitation. Accordingly, HCAOD can be considered as a promising treatment scheme for intensification of diesel oxidative desulfurization.