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Adsorptive desulfurization by activated alumina
Ankur Srivastav1, Vimal Chandra Srivastava
1Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, Roorkee 247667, India.
Journal of Hazardous Materials
|June 16, 2009
Summary
Activated alumina effectively removes sulfur compounds like dibenthiophene from oil. This study details the adsorption process, optimal conditions, and thermodynamic parameters for sulfur removal using aluminum oxide.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Environmental Chemistry
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Sulfur compounds in fuels cause environmental pollution and catalyst poisoning.
- Efficient methods for removing sulfur, particularly refractory compounds like dibenthiophene (DBT), are crucial for cleaner fuels.
- Activated alumina (aluminum oxide) is a potential adsorbent for sulfur removal due to its surface properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of commercial activated alumina for removing dibenthiophene (DBT) from a model oil (n-hexane).
- To determine the optimal conditions for DBT adsorption onto activated alumina.
- To analyze the adsorption mechanism and thermodynamic parameters.
Main Methods:
- Adsorption experiments were conducted using commercial activated alumina and a model oil containing DBT.
- BET surface area analysis was performed before and after DBT loading.
- Adsorption isotherms (Langmuir) and thermodynamic parameters (heat of adsorption, entropy change) were calculated.
Main Results:
- The bulk density of activated alumina was 1177.77 kg/m³.
- BET surface area decreased from 143.6 to 66.4 m²/g after DBT adsorption.
- Optimal adsorbent dose was 20 g/l, with quasi-equilibrium reached in 24 hours.
- Langmuir isotherm best described the adsorption data.
- Heat of adsorption and change in entropy were 19.5 kJ/mol and 139.2 kJ/mol·K, respectively.
Conclusions:
- Commercial activated alumina is effective for removing DBT from model oil.
- Carbon-oxygen functional groups on alumina play a key role in DBT adsorption.
- The adsorption process follows Langmuir kinetics and is endothermic, indicating spontaneity at higher temperatures.
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