Light-Enhanced Adsorptive Desulfurization of Dibenzothiophene Using Supported TiO₂-ZrO₂

Abstract:

Combustion of diesel fuel containing sulfur compounds emits SOx into atmosphere causing acid rain and respiratory illness in human. Dibenzothiophene (DBT) is one of the most difficult sulfur compounds in diesel to be removed by hydrodesulfurization (HDS). To produce ultra-low sulfur diesel (<15 ppmw-S), severe operating condition is required. As a result, production cost is increase. In this work, we investigated an alternative method for sulfur removal called Light-enhanced Adsorptive Desulfurization or L-ADS using supported TiO₂-ZrO₂. The TiO₂-ZrO₂ was loaded on commercial γ-Al₂O₃, fumed silica (FS), silica gel (SG) and zeolite (Z30) by wet-impregnation method. Impact of these supports on DBT removal were focused. Characteristic of the supported TiO₂-ZrO₂ was analyzed by N₂ adsorption-desorption, scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-Vis DRS). The presence of TiO₂-ZrO₂ greatly enhanced DBT removal compared to TiO₂ and ZrO₂. SG promoted DBT removal by facilitating the adsorption of dibenzothiophene sulfone (DBTO₂), a product of DBT photocatalytic oxidation. Using TiO₂-ZrO₂/SG, 86% of sulfur was removed from 50 ppmw-S DBT/C16 within 4 h.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 798)
• Pages: 391-396
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.798.391
• Online since: April 2019
• Authors: Sukanya Thepwatee, Nitipon Chekuntod, Atisayapan Chanchawee, Pawnprapa Pitakjakpipop*
• Keywords: Adsorptive Desulfurization, Dibenzothiophene, Effect of Support, Light Irradiation, TiO₂-ZrO₂

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