Improvement in diesel desulfurization capacity by equilibrium isotherms analysis

Mesoporous aluminosilicates (MAS) showed advantages over zeolites and mesoporous molecular sieves in adsorption desulfurization of diesel fuels. However, the adsorptive capacity still has great space to improve. The equilibrium adsorption data were modeled by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Langmuir model can well describe the adsorption on ion-exchanged MAS. Infer from the hypothesis conditions of Langmuir model, the temperature and the active sites are two key factors to determine the adsorptive capacity. Adsorption experiments were carried out with both model oils and diesel fuels on fixed-bed. The results showed that π-complexation adsorbents were more efficient to remove sulfur compounds at higher temperature and that the saturated adsorption capacity had a linear relationship with the silver ions loaded on the adsorbents.

Research highlights
► Ag+ exchanged mesoporous aluminosilicates (MAS) were used for adsorption deslfurization.
► The equilibrium adsorption data can be well described by Langmuir isotherms.
► Higher temperature was more suitable for π-complexation adsorbents to remove sulfur compounds.
► Saturated adsorption capacity had a linear relationship with Ag+ amounts loaded on adsorbents.