Influence of different nanocomposite carbon-based adsorbers on the adsorption desulfurization of dibenzothiophene in model oil and diesel fuel: a comparative study

Adsorption desulfurization of dibenzothiophene (DBT) in model oil was conducted in a batch-process and fixed-bed system by using four adsorbers: activated charcoal (AC), activated charcoal loaded with monometallic manganese (AC/Mn), activated charcoal loaded with monometallic copper (AC/Cu), and activated charcoal loaded with bimetallic manganese and copper (AC/Mn/Cu). The adsorbers are characterized by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and N-2 adsorption-desorption analysis. The sequence AC/Mn/Cu > AC/Mn > AC/Cu > AC has been obtained from the results of removing dibenzothiophene (DBT) in the model oil in batch-process. The adsorption capacities (q(e)) and sulfur removal percentages were equal to (136.78 mg g(-1), 91.18%), (95.85 mg g(-1), 63.9%), (83.25 mg g(-1), 55.5%), (70.8 mg g(-1), 47.2%). Additionally, in the fixed-bed system, AC/Mn/Cu adsorber has shown the best performance compared to the three other adsorbers and it only lost 34% of its efficiency after 300 min. The adsorption process of DBT on AC/Mn/Cu adsorber followed Pseudo-Second-Order kinetics and the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. In the adsorption desulfurization of high-sulfur commercial diesel fuel in a fixed-bed system by AC/Mn/Cu adsorber, DBT has been completely removed and 99% of total sulfur decreased to 16 ppm.

Automated summary

The adsorption desulfurization of dibenzothiophene (DBT) in model oil was investigated using four different adsorbers: activated charcoal, activated charcoal loaded with monometallic manganese, activated charcoal loaded with monometallic copper, and activated charcoal loaded with bimetallic manganese and copper. The adsorber with bimetallic manganese and copper showed the highest desulfurization efficiency. In a fixed-bed system, this adsorber performed the best, with only a 34% decrease in efficiency after 300 minutes. The adsorption process of DBT on this adsorber followed Pseudo-Second-Order kinetics and the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. When used to desulfurize high-sulfur commercial diesel fuel, DBT was completely removed and the total sulfur content decreased by 99% to 16 ppm.