The Preparation, Characterization, and Catalytic Activity of Synthetic Activated Carbon Supported Cupric Chloride in Oxidation of Iraqi Naphtha

Abstract

Copper was impregnated over activated carbon and characterized by X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope, and CO₂ temperature programmed desorper. The activity of activated carbon supported copper catalyst for extractive sweetening of Iraqi naphtha was evaluated by studying mercaptide oxidation using 2-propyl mercaptan and n-butyl mercaptan as model sulfur compounds in a trickle bed reactor at low pressure using molecular oxygen. Results proved that the increase of temperature levels and decreasing in liquid hourly space velocity led to an increase in rate of reaction. The results showed that the oxidation process has no significant effect on physical properties of treated naphtha, so, consequently, no decrease occurred in octane rating.

Keywords:

• activated carbon
• characterization
• naphtha
• oxidation
• trickle bed reactor