DESULFURIZATION OF HEXADECANE BY EXTRACTION WITH ([OMIM]NO3) IONIC LIQUID

Ionic liquids (ILs) are well known novel green solvents, which can be used for removing sulfur compounds from gasoline and diesel oils. This paper reports the ability of the ionic liquid octyl-3-methylimidazolium nitrate ([Omim]NO3) to act as solvent in the (liquid + liquid) extraction of thiophene from hexadecane. Ternary (liquid + liquid) equilibria for system containing ionic liquid ([Omim]NO3) + thiophene + hexadecane have been determined at 298.15 K. The results are discussed in terms of the selectivity and distribution ratio of separation of related system. The experimental data showed high solubility of tiophene in the ionic liquid and low solubility of hexadecane. The phase equilibria diagrams for the ternary mixtures including the experimental tie-lines have been presented.

Keywords:

Desulfurization , Ionic liquid , Extraction , Liquid - liquid equilibrium