Optimization of oxidative desulfurization of dibenzothiophene using acidic ionic liquid as catalytic solvent

Hydrocarbon Extraction with Ionic Liquids

Separation and reaction processes are key components employed in the modern chemical industry, and the former accounts for the majority of the energy consumption therein. In particular, hydrocarbon separation and purification processes, such as aromatics extraction, desulfurization, and denitrification, are challenging in petroleum refinement, an industrial cornerstone that provides raw materials for products used in human activities. The major technical shortcomings in solvent extraction are volatile solvent loss, product entrainment leading to secondary pollution, low separation efficiency, and high regeneration energy consumption due to the use of traditional organic solvents with high boiling points as extraction agents. Ionic liquids (ILs), a class of designable functional solvents or materials, have been widely used in chemical separation processes to replace conventional organic solvents after nearly 30 years of rapid development. Herein, we provide a systematic and comprehensive review of the state-of-the-art progress in ILs in the field of extractive hydrocarbon separation (i.e., aromatics extraction, desulfurization, and denitrification) including (i) molecular thermodynamic models of IL systems that enable rapid large-scale screening of IL candidates and phase equilibrium prediction of extraction processes; (ii) structure-property relationships between anionic and cationic structures of ILs and their separation performance (i.e., selectivity and distribution coefficients); (iii) IL-related extractive separation mechanisms (e.g., the magnitude, strength, and sites of intermolecular interactions depending on the separation system and IL structure); and (iv) process simulation and design of IL-related extraction at the industrial scale based on validated thermodynamic models. In short, this Review provides an easy-to-read exhaustive reference on IL-related extractive separation of hydrocarbon mixtures from the multiscale perspective of molecules, thermodynamics, and processes. It also extends to progress in IL analogs, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) in this research area, and discusses the current challenges faced by ILs in related separation fields as well as future directions and opportunities.

Novel Gemini ionic liquid for oxidative desulfurization of gas oil

The N₁,N₁,N₃,N₃-tetramethyl -N₁,N₃-diphenylpropane-1,3-diaminium dichloride ionic liquid (ILc) is an environmentally friendly catalyst for oxidative-extractive desulfurization of gas oil (sulfur content = 2400 ppm) in the presence of H₂O₂ as an oxidizing agent. The precise structure of the prepared IL was confirmed using FT-IR spectroscopy, and¹H-NMR. The reaction temperature, IL ratios, H₂O₂ dosage, and reaction time were studied to assess their effects on the desulfurization efficiency. The thermodynamic parameters of the oxidation reaction were determined. A desulfurization efficiency of 84.7% was obtained after the extractive desulfurization process using acetonitrile as an organic solvent at a solvent to feed ratio of 1:1 (v/v). Furthermore, the prepared IL may be reused for at least six cycles without any significant change in its desulfurization performance or chemical structure, which confirms its high reusability.

Dimensionless evaluation and kinetics of rapid and ultradeep desulfurization of diesel fuel in an oscillatory baffled reactor

The oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of dibenzothiophene in diesel fuel cut using a homogeneous liquid catalytic system in a novel reactor is presented.

A new phase transfer nanocatalyst NiFe2O4-PEG for removal of dibenzothiophene by an ultrasound assisted oxidative process: kinetics, thermodynamic study and experimental design

In this study, NiFe₂O₄–PEG, an effective nanocatalyst was synthesized via a hydrothermal method using different PEG concentrations and synthesis times. The synthesized nanocatalyst was used in the ultrasound assisted oxidative desulfurization (UAOD) of model fuels (e.g. n-hexane and dibenzothiophene (DBT)) for the first time. The nanocatalyst was then characterized by XRD, FTIR, BET, SEM, VSM and TEM analyses. In addition, central composite design was used to evaluate the effective variables on the UAOD process. The optimal values of effective factors such as catalyst dose, oxidant amount, irradiation time and ultrasonic power to maximize of the percentage of sulfur removal were 0.149 g, 15 mL, 11.96 min, and 70 MHz, respectively. Moreover, the kinetic aspects of the oxidation reaction of DBT in the UAOD process were investigated using a pseudo-first-order model. Furthermore, using the Arrhenius equation, an activation energy of 35.86 kJ mol⁻¹ was obtained. Additionally, thermodynamic analysis showed that the oxidation reaction of DBT was endothermic with a positive Gibbs free of energy, indicating the non-spontaneity of oxidation of DBT in the UAOD process. Moreover, the conversion rate of DBT has increased from 57% at 35 °C to 85% at 65 °C.

In this study, NiFe₂O₄–PEG, an effective nanocatalyst was synthesized via a hydrothermal method using different PEG concentrations and synthesis times.

Triphenyl methyl phosphonium tosylate as an efficient phase transfer catalyst for ultrasound-assisted oxidative desulfurization of liquid fuel

The novel phosphonium-based ionic liquid (IL), triphenyl methyl phosphonium tosylate ([TPMP][Tos]), has been synthesized and applied as a phase transfer catalyst (PTC) in the ultrasound-assisted oxidative desulfurization (UAODS). Oxidation of model fuel (MF) containing dibenzothiophene (DBT) was carried out using an equimolar mixture of H₂O₂-CH₃COOH as an oxidant at 40-70 °C in the presence of IL. The sulfur compound is converted into polar sulfone, and the maximum desulfurization efficiency was examined. The effect of process parameters such as reaction temperature, reaction time, molar ratio of oxidant to sulfur (n(O/S)), and the mass ratio of ionic liquid to model fuel (m(IL/MF)) was studied, and the conditions for maximizing the DBT conversion rate were found. Maximum conversion (> 99%) was obtained at a temperature of 70 °C with m(IL/MF) of 0.8. The oxidation reactivity of various sulfur compounds was studied at different time intervals. To verify the effect of ionic liquid and ultrasound irradiation, extractive desulfurization (EDS), oxidative desulfurization (ODS), and UAODS in the presence of IL were carried out. The experimental results show that the UAODS process gives the highest desulfurization efficiency. A kinetic study was performed to estimate the rate constant and the order of oxidation reaction.

An overview of conventional and alternative technologies for the production of ultra-low-sulfur fuels

Environmental concerns have given a great deal of attention for the production of ultra-low-sulfur fuels. The conventional hydrodesulfurization (HDS) process has high operating cost and also encounters difficulty in removing sulfur compound with steric hindrance. Consequently, various research efforts have been made to overcome the limitation of conventional HDS process and exploring the alternative technologies for deep desulfurization. The alternative processes being explored for the production of ultra-low-sulfur content fuel are adsorptive desulfurization (ADS), biodesulfurization (BDS), oxidative desulfurization (ODS), and extractive desulfurization (EDS). The present article provided the comprehensive information on the basic principle, reaction mechanism, workability, advantages, and disadvantages of conventional and alternative technologies. This review article aims to provide valuable insight into the recent advances made in conventional HDS process and alternative techniques. For deep desulfurization of liquid fuels, integration of conventional HDS with an alternative technique is also proposed.

Synthesis of novel magnetic ionic liquids as high efficiency catalysts for extraction-catalytic oxidative desulfurization in fuel oil

Deep desulfurization of magnetic ionic liquids [C₄(mim)₂]Cl₂/2FeCl₃.