Green Ultrasound-assisted Oxidative Desulfurization of Fuels using Nano-polyoxomolybdate {Mo142}

Oxidation of model sulfur compounds (BT, DBT and 4,6-DMDBT) was investigated by using polyoxomolybdate {Mo142}- Na26[Mo142O432(H2O)58H14].ca.300H2O as catalyst and hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant. This system is bi-phase without the need of using a phase transfer agent. Influence of different parameters like catalyst amount, time and temperature was studied. This catalytic system was used for the oxidation of model sulfur compounds (BT, DBT and 4,6-DMDBT) to remove sulphur content in diesel fuel. Our results show that under mild reaction condition, high sulphur removal up to 93% can be achieved with high oil recovery.The oxidation of DBT 700 ppm was performed using 30% solution of hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant in the presence of {Mo142} as a catalyst under a two-phase (aqueous-hexane) reaction condition. The reaction temperature was set to 70 °C, H2O2 (30 wt.%) 2×10-2mmol. GC and GC-MS analyses of the two phases indicated that DBT was in hexane phase whereas oxidized sulfur compound (DBT sulfone) was in acetonitrile phase. Acetonitrile was reported as a good extractant solvent.

Keywords:

Clean energy , Oxidative desulfurization , Phase Transfer , Polyoxomolybdate