Papers by Keyword: Dibenzothiophene (DBT)

Abstract: Gram-negative bacterium, Pseudomonas delafieldii R-8 (CGMCC 0570) is capable of desulfurizing dibenzothiophene (DBT) and 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT) to produce corresponding monohydroxydimethylbiphenyl. The immobilization of the resting cells of this strain in Ca-alginate gel effectively improved the stability of the cells and the desulfurization ability per amount of cells. 1 mmol/L of DBT and 4,6-DMDBT could be completely degraded in about 1 d. About 39 percent of the activity for 4,6-DMDBT was recovered after immobilization. The desulfurization activity was increased with the decrease of the diameter of the beads. The Ca-alginate immobilized cells could be used repeatedly for over 190 h with the addition of calcium ions to strengthen them. A thin layer of hydrophobic polyurea was coated on the surface of Ca-alginate gel using a simple method. The desulfurization activity was enhanced after the coating.

Abstract: Titania nanoparticles were anchored onto active carbon (AC) through a hydrothermal process to obtain TiO2/AC composites. The optimal TiO2 loading and hydrothermal pH were investigated. The prepared TiO2/AC composites were used as adsorbents for dibenzothiophene (DBT) from model fuel. The adsorption capacity of TiO2/AC composite in the optimal synthesis conditions has enhanced 12.4% compared with pure AC. The adsorbents were regenerated by toluene washing, and the TiO2/AC composite showed higher adsorptive capacity than AC even after three recycles. The pore structure and surface chemical proprieties of TiO2/AC composite and AC were also investigated by N2 adsorption-desorption isotherms and Beohm titration. The results indicate that the surface acidic sites of TiO2/AC may play an important role in the improved adsorption performance.

Abstract: Transition metal-modified carbon-based adsorbents were prepared by impregnating activated carbon with solutions of copper, cobalt or nickel chloride or nitrate. The mixtures were dried and then calcined under nitrogen stream. The surface metal species were analyzed by XRD technique and the surface oxygen-containing groups were characterized by FTIR. Their adsorption capacities for dibenzothiophene (DBT) were measured by using DBT-containing n-octane solution as model oil. Experimental results show that the metal species on the carbon surface could be controlled by the calcination process under nitrogen atmosphere. Both the transition metal precursors and kinds of metal species on the carbon surface have significant effects on DBT adsorption capacity.

Abstract: Rice hull (designated with RH) was activated by phosphoric acid to prepare an adsorbent for the removal of sulfur-containing compounds from diesel fuel. Adsorption tests for both, a 300 µg.g-1 dibenzothiophene (DBT)-containing n-octane solution using as model oil and a commercial hydro-treated diesel fuel, were performed to elucidate the effect of varying phosphoric acid to RH ratio, treating temperature and the removal of silica from the adsorbent on the combination of the textural structure, surface chemical property and adsorption capacity. It was indicated that high surface area and micro-pore volume of the adsorbent favored the adsorption of DBT and its derivatives. Richening of oxygen-containing compounds on the adsorbent surface was advantageous to the adsorption and removal of DBTs. At a phosphoric acid and RH weight ratio of 3:1 by using a two-step treatment, a satisfactory adsorbent with an adsorption capacity of 28.89 mg S/g was successfully prepared. If the silica in the adsorbent was further removed, the product exhibited the highest performance, reaching 30.43 mg S/g for the model oil and 21.79 mg S/g for the commercial diesel fuel. Both the textural structure and the surface chemical property like acidic groups of a RH-based adsorbent play important roles in its adsorption behaviors, and the formation of donor-acceptor complexes between surface acidic groups and DBT may probably benefit DBT adsorption capacity.

Abstract: Phosphotungstic acid (HPW) supported on activated carbon (AC) combined with hydrogen peroxide formed an oxidative desulfurizaiton (ODS) system to oxidize sulfur-containing compounds in diesel fuel. Dibenzothiophene (DBT) dissolved in n-octane was selected as a model feedstock for studying this new ODS system. The HPW/AC catalysts were characterized with XRD, FTIR and N2 adsorption-desorption measurements. HPW was highly dispersed on the surface of carbon support. It was found that the DBT adsorption capacity decreased from 42 mg S/g to 33.13 mg S/g as HPW loading amount increased from 0 to 15 wt.%. Oxidative removal of DBT in the model oil significantly increased with increasing HPW loadings on the support from 0 to 10 wt.%. 100 % DBT was removed by using the catalysts with HPW content higher than 10 wt. %. At 80 °C, oxidative removal of DBT reached 100 % after 40 min of reaction when O/S molar ratio ranged from 4 to 10.

Abstract: In this paper, the incorporation of carbide and nitride phases supported on mesoporous materials like SBA type is described in order to obtain a better material than commercial catalysts (NiMoS/Al2O3, Sg=269 m2.gr-1) specifically in the HDS of dibenzothiophene. The XRD patterns exhibit the presence of carbide and nitride phases in each series, respectively. In the nitride materials, the presence of oxide phases was more evident than in the carbide catalysts. The principal product was biphenyl (BF) for all the analyzed series. This behavior suggests that the DBT desulphurization pathway for the carbide materials was similar to that of sulfide catalysts. Bicyclohexyl (BCH) was analyzed as a product, and cyclohexylbenzene traces (CHB) were determined in a single catalyst (NiMoC-2%P/SBA-16). This was attributed to the hydrogenation character of carbide catalyst reported previously.

Abstract: Oil shales are one of the alternative sources of hydrocarbon fuels (“synthetic petroleum”), characterized by the increased sulfur and nitrogen content which represent even greater ecological problem in use, compared to classical fuels. Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans is capable of oxidizing pyrite to iron (III)-ion, providing a strong oxidation agent at low pH. We have used this oxidizing agent for oxidation of sulfur present in DBT as a substrate model to demonstrate its potential to oxidize organically bound sulfur in oil shales. An HCl-concentrate was used as the hydrocarbon matrix. Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans is already recognized to oxidize the pyritic sulfur component, thereby potentially providing a complete sulfur removal system. By applying GC-MS we established that DBT transformation occurred by oxidation or elimination of sulfur. The products obtained are more soluble in water than parent compounds and this reduces concentration of organic sulfur.