A novel invasive weed adsorbent for desulfurization of crude oil

Abstract

Desulfurization is a process regularly employed by refineries to alleviate the environmental afflictions instigated by harmful gas emissions from hydrocarbon fuels. Escalating world population will lead to an upsurge in liquid fuel demand by 20 percent between 2018 and 2050, with a total consumption of 240 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) in 2050. Catalytic Hydrodesulfurization (HDS) accounts for expensive and exhausting conditions (high temperature, pressure, catalyst poisoning and H2S safety). While studies have shown that adsorptive desulfurization (ADS) is greatly effective in the elimination of organic sulfur, limitations in the regeneration of adsorbent and selection of adsorbent with appropriate structure to remove organic sulfur compounds exist. On the other hand, Prosopis juliflora, the world s most threatening invasive weed causes multifaceted environmental problems. The current study offers a novel solution that addresses both these issues contributing to climate change. Desulfurization of crude oil of three varying total sulfur percentage samples (2.8%,2.25% and 1.76%) non activated charcoal obtained from an invasive weed species is being used as adsorbent. Presence of C=C bonding functional group in the adsorbent is confirmed by the FTIR analysis and amorphous structure of the adsorbent is confirmed by the XRD analysis. Mesopores with a pore diameter of 2.718nm are depicted in the Adsorption-Desorption isotherm. 46 percent of the total sulfur in the feed was reported to be removed by the kinetic study findings. 100 percent removal of dibenzothiophene 4-methyl and efficient removal of some organic sulfur was reported by the GCMS findings. Freundlich isotherm best represents the equilibrium data. Removal of toxic elements was indicated by the ICP-OES tests also.The price of the adsorbent per kg is USD 0.12628 which is the least of all the adsorbents presently in use. newline