Oxidative Desulfurization of Simulated Gasoline over Metal Oxide-loaded Molecular Sieve1

A simulated gasoline consisting of model sulfur compounds of thiophene (C4H4S) and 3-methythiophene (3-MC4H4S) dissolved in n-heptane was tested for the oxidative desulfurization in the hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and formic acid oxidative system over metal oxide-loaded molecular sieve. The effects of the oxidative system, loaded metal oxides, phase transfer catalyst, the addition of olefin and aromatics on sulfur removal were investigated in details. The results showed that the sulfur removal rate of simulated gasoline in the H2O2/formic acid system was higher than in other oxidative systems. The cerium oxide-loaded molecular sieve was found very active catalyst for oxidation of simulated gasoline in this system. The sulfur removal rates of C4H4S and 3-MC4H4S were enhanced when phase transfer catalyst (PTC) was added. However, the sulfur removal rate of simulated gasoline was reduced with the addition of olefin and aromatics.