Effect of Ni on MCM-41 in the Adsorption of Nitrogen and Sulfur Compounds to Obtain Ultra-Low-Sulfur Diesel

Adsorption of heterocyclic sulfur and nitrogen compounds like dibenzothiophene (DBT) and quinoline (Q), respectively, was carried out using mesostructured adsorbent MCM-41 and Ni/MCM-41 in calcined (C) and reduced (R) form. These materials were proved in a batch adsorption system using a model fuel diesel: a mixture of dodecane, DBT and Q with the same concentrations of ppmw of sulfur and nitrogen at 313 K and atmospheric pressure. When MCM-41 was impregnated with Ni, an important modification of the adsorption properties was observed, for example, the uptake of DBT was increased and this adsorption was twice in Ni/MCM-41 in reduce form than in the calcined form. On the other hand, for the nitrogen adsorption of Q diminished by 62 and 58%, considering Ni/MCM-41 in reduce form and in calcined form as adsorbent, respectively. This is a significant achievement regarding the desulfurization and denitrogenation, especially for commercial diesel without pretreatment. Moreover, the kinetic results were adjusted with second order considering Q as nitrogen and DBT as sulfur molecule. Data fitting for Q was achieved better by the Langmuir model for all materials than the Freundlich model, meanwhile the experimental adsorption data of DBT was fitted to the Freundlich model for Ni/MCM-41 calcinated and reduced form.