Extensive removal of nitrogen and sulphur compounds from petroleum gas oil using novel intensified integrated eco-friendly adsorbents based on blends of polystyrene-Imidazole derivatives

ABSTRACT

Currently, continuous worldwide concern is paid towards the development of an efficient cost-effective process for the removal of toxic and hazardous components such as sulphur and nitrogen compounds from fossil fuel fractions. Adsorptive desulphurisation and denitrogenation can be counted as promising competitive method due to its low energy consumption and mild operating conditions, compared to the other methods in charge. The present research article reports the introduction of novel intensified polymeric adsorbents made of blending Imidazole or its derivatives (methyl and butyl-Imidazole) with either synthesised or waste polystyrene (WPS), as promising structures. The essential characteristics of the designed adsorbents were investigated using the analytical techniques such as FT-IR, BET SEM. The adsorbents were then implemented for sulphur and nitrogen compound removal from a petroleum gas oil fraction under various operating conditions. Successful functionality of all the prepared adsorbents could be recognised. Blending with butyl-Imidazole showed, however, the utmost ratios of sulphur and nitrogen compound removal. Numerically, maximum removals of 40 and 75 wt. % for sulphur (17,500 ppm in feedstock) and nitrogen compounds, respectively, could be attained at 75°C, 6 h and adsorbent-to-feed ratio of 1:5 via using WPS-butyl Imidazole blend. The removal percentages could be, respectively, increased to 46 and 85 Wt. %, at the same operating conditions, while replacing WPS by a freshly-synthesised polystyrene. The latter structure could subsequently attain a sulphur removal percentage of 97.6% through consequent adsorption steps

KEYWORDS:

• Desulphurisation
• nitrogen compounds elimination
• adsorption
• petroleum refining
• green environment
• Imidazole blended polystyrene adsorbents

Acknowledgments

The authors extend their appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Khalid University for funding this work through research group program under grant number R.G.P. 1/17/42

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the King Khalid University [R. G. P. 1/17/42].