Desulfurization of Pyrolytic Fuels by Adsorption and Oxidation

Pretell V.; Ramos W.; Manrique H.; Lujan C. · Proceedings of the LACCEI international Multi-conference for Engineering, Education and Technology (2023)

Resumen

Desulfurization is the process of removing sulfur or sulfur compounds from hydrocarbons or mixtures of hydrocarbons derived from petroleum, natural gas, or similar fuels. Fuels obtained from the pyrolysis of used lubricating oil, and used tires, have a higher content of sulfur compounds than those distilled from crude oil. These sulfur compounds, after combustion, are converted to SOx, which is a major component of acid rain that causes air pollution and environmental degradation. Therefore, the present research aims to determine a desulfurization scheme for pyrolytic fuels using adsorption and oxidation processes, to use easily accessible reagents and under moderate pressure and temperature conditions. Oxidative desulfurization (ODS) and adsorptive desulfurization (ADS) were carried out on a pyrolytic fuel obtained by the pyrolysis of used lubricating oil. The initial sulfur content in the samples ranged from 0.12668% to 0.07679% (% w/w). In the ODS process, up to 9.23% of sulfur was removed under the following conditions: temperature 90°C, reaction time 15 min, H2O2 concentration 3%, and 1.7 g of FeCl3. Then, the samples were treated with ADS using silica gel and activated carbon. It was found that activated carbon is the best adsorbent and can remove up to 27.75% of sulfur. The two treatments (ODS and ADS) were combined in a series arrangement of three activated carbon beds with a height of 15 cm, and it was found that up to 92.56% of sulfur can be removed from the pyrolytic fuel.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería