Removal of Sulfur and Nitrogen Compounds from Diesel Fuel Using MSU-S

The performance of MSU-S and its forms modified with phosphotungstic acid (HPW) and nickel (Ni)for the desulfurization and denitrogenation of model diesel fuel were studied. According to the resultsof the characteristic tests (N2 adsorption-desorption, XRD, SEM, and NH3-TPD), heteropoly acidincorporation causes higher acidity along with a negligible loss of structural aspects, while Niimpregnation leaves a drastic negative effect on mesoporous structure, crystalline phase, and particleshape along with a positive impact on surface acidity. With both modifications (HPW and Ni), themaximum increase of 33.18% and 6.88% was occurred for the adsorption loading of total sulfur andtotal nitrogen respectively. The adsorption loading and selectivity of all the adsorbents for totalnitrogen were slightly more than those for total sulfur (the selective adsorption of nitrogen oversulfur). The pseudo-second order model can best fit the kinetics data and Freundlich model can bestdescribe the equilibrium isotherm for all the species over Ni/HPW-MSU-S.

Keywords:

Desulfurization , Denitrogenation , MSU-S , HPW , Nickel