Investigation on aquathermolysis desulfurization by cutting off C-S bond in thiophene over Fe-Zr-Al catalyst facilitated by surfactants

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to apply aquathermolysis technology to remove thiophene sulfur in vacuum residue to obtain qualified petroleum coke products based on a well-designed Fe-Zr-Al catalyst. A coprecipitation method was first developed to synthesize Fe-Zr-Al composite metal oxide catalyst. The thiophene model oil was selected as the reaction system to investigate the process conditions. By adding surfactants into the reaction system to strengthen the mass transfer process of oil–water two-phase, the desulfurization rate of aquathermolysis was improved. It was shown in this study that under the conditions of oil–water ratio of 3:7, temperature of 280°C, pressure of 4 MPa and reaction duration of 60 h, the desulfurization rate could reach 44.39%. The further introduction of 2.4% Sorbitan oleate into the above reaction system could significantly enhance the desulfurization rate to 60.20%. Under the action of Fe₂O₃ lattice oxygen, thiophene was oxidized and C-S bond was broken, so as to achieve the purpose of desulfurization. The decomposition of water generated active oxygen to continuously replenish lattice oxygen of Fe₂O₃. The current founding can provide a new way for the effective desulfurization of vacuum residue to produce qualified petroleum coke products.

KEYWORDS:

• Aquathermolysis
• thiophene
• desulfurization
• surfactant
• mechanism

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, Fahai Cao, upon reasonable request.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/15567036.2022.2087805

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the China Petroleum and Chemical Corporation [118004-6].

Notes on contributors

Haiyang Lv

Haiyang Lv gained his B.E. degree in 2019 in Qingdao University of Science and Technology. He is currently a master degree candidate at East China University of Science and Technology. His research interests focus on Catalytic material and Cleaner production

Lingrui Cui

Lingrui Cui research interests include C1 chemical industry and petrochemical industry

Xiaobin Xu

Xiaobin Xu research interests include Cleaner production and petrochemical industry

Lian Cen

Lian Cen research interests include Biogel and Catalytic materials

Jun Xu

Jun Xu research interests include Oilfield Chemistry and Polymer Materials

Fahai Cao

Fahai Cao research interests include C1 chemical industry, petrochemical industry and coal chemical industry. ORCID ID:0000-0002-1619-831X