Desulfurization of jet fuel by ππ-complexation adsorption with metal halides supported on MCM-41 and SBA-15 mesoporous materials

Desulfurization of a JP-5 light fraction (841 ppmw S) for fuel cell applications was achieved by ππ-complexation adsorption with CuCl and PdCl2PdCl2 supported on the MCM-41 and SBA-15 mesoporous materials. CuCl/MCM-41, PdCl2/MCM-41PdCl2/MCM-41, CuCl/SBA-15 and PdCl2/SBA-15PdCl2/SBA-15 sorbents were prepared with spontaneous monolayer dispersion of metal halides onto surfaces of supports. These sorbents were characterized with XRD, N2N2 physical adsorption and CO chemisorption. The results showed that the mesoporous structures remained in the supported sorbents. Desulfurization of JP-5 light fraction with these sorbents was investigated at room temperature. PdCl2/SBA-15PdCl2/SBA-15 showed by far the highest capacity of selective sulfur adsorption among all known sorbents, and the significant breakthrough occurred at about 50.0 ml/g for desulfurization of JP-5 light fraction. The total sulfur content of JP-5 light fraction can be reduced from 841 ppmw S to below 50.0 ppmw S. The spent PdCl2/SBA-15PdCl2/SBA-15 was regenerated by purge with benzene at 70 °C, and the regenerated PdCl2/SBA-15PdCl2/SBA-15 was tested again for the desulfurization. The results showed that about 44% and 48% of the sulfur capacity were recovered at breakthrough and saturation, respectively.