Adsorption of Thiophene from Fuel on Modified Nay Zeolite

Both the poor adsorption capacity and low selectivity to sulfur compounds restrict some usage in thefields of adsorption desulphurization. Adsorption of thiophene from fuel on NaY zeolite modified withdifferent concentration of NaOH aqueous solutions and HCL aqueous solution was investigated.Mesoporosity was introduced to access active cites and enhance the zeolite properties and adsorptioncapacity. The obtained samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), N۲ adsorption –desorption (BET), and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that the mesoporesurface area up to ۴۸.۸۹ m۲/g was obtained for meso-Y when the parent zeolite NaY was subjected todesilication by NaOH. On the other hand, when the parent zeolite NaY was subjected to sequentialtreatment by Hydrochloric acid and NaOH as dealumination and desilication respectively, themesoporosity reduced and the intrinsic crystallinity destroyed completely. The adsorptiondesulfurization results showed that hierarchically structured (meso-Y) exhibited much higherdesulphurization performance than microporous NaY zeolite. The order of increasing the adsorptioncapacity is as follows: NaY-۰.۲ > NaY-۰.۴ > Parent zeolite NaY > DA – ۰.۲۵. DS – ۰.۴. This resultproves that creating mesoporosity by DA – ۰.۲۵. DS – ۰.۴ reduces the adsorption capacity.

Keywords:

NaY zeolite , Mesopore , Adsorption desulphurization , Thiophene