Fixed bed adsorptive desulfurization of thiophene over Cu/Ni-dispersed carbon nanofiber

Adsorptive desulfurization (ADS) of thiophene containing n-octane at low S-concentrations (<= 70 ppmw) was performed under dynamic (flow) conditions in a fixed bed of Cu/Ni nanoparticles (NPs)-dispersed carbon nanofibers (CNFs). Briefly, Cu-CNFs were prepared using chemical vapor deposition with acetylene as the carbon source and the Cu NPs as the catalyst. The metal NPs also served as a support for the CNF-growth. The Ni/Cu-CNFs of different particle sizes (0.20, 0.35 and 0.50 mm) were synthesized by impregnating the heat treated Cu-CNF with Ni salt, pelletizing it using the phenolic resin binder, followed by calcination, H-2-reduction, and pulverization to the required particle sizes. The adsorbent showed the BET surface area of similar to 350m(2)/g, metal nanoparticle-size of 5-25 nm, and thermal stability over 30-900 degrees C. The prepared adsorbent material was easily pelletized to the cylindrical shape, with the pellet showing high mechanical strength (similar to 1900 kPa). Breakthrough experiments showed the adsorbent to be capable of suppressing concentrations at or below 1 ppmw-S, with the breakthrough and saturation capacities determined to be 0.25 and 0.60 mg-S/g-adsorbent, respectively at 30 degrees C and 35 ppm (w/w) S-concentration, which were comparable with those of adsorbents discussed in literature for the ADS of lean sulfur containing fuels.