Ionic liquids for the removal of sulfur and nitrogen compounds in fuels: a review

Air pollution is partly due to the emission of toxic sulfur and nitrogen oxides during fuel combustion. Therefore, these compounds should be removed from fuels. For that, ionic liquids have been recently developed to extract sulfur and nitrogen compounds from petroleum and fuels. Ionic liquids can extract S- and N-containing compounds either simultaneously or selectively. Ionic liquids usage appears better than classical desulfurization and denitrogenation processes due to the efficiency and selectivity of ionic liquids. Here we review methods for desulfurization and denitrogenation with focus on extraction by ionic liquids, and their regeneration and recycling. We also discuss limitations of ionic liquids, such as environmental biodegradation, bioaccumulation and corrosivity.

Automated summary

Ionic liquids have been developed as an effective method for extracting sulfur and nitrogen compounds from fuels, showing higher efficiency and selectivity compared to traditional processes. Despite limitations such as environmental biodegradation and bioaccumulation, they are still considered a promising technology for desulfurization and denitrogenation.