Extraction and Recovery of Naphthenic Acid from Acidic Oil Using Supported Ionic Liquid Phases (SILPs)

In this study, functionalized silica supported ionic liquids phases (SILPs) were synthesized and characterized using Fourier Transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, CHNS elemental analysis, thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The adsorption of model naphthenic acid such as hexanoic acid, benzoic acid and commercial naphthenic acid from dodecane/kerosene was also investigated. The silica supported ionic liquids are good adsorbent for the removal of naphthenic acid from highly acidic model oil. The regeneration of supported ionic liquid phases as well as recovery of naphthenic acids from the supported ionic liquid phases (SILPs) was investigated.