Choline-based Deep Eutectic Solvent for Extractive Oxidative Desulfurization of Model Oil

Abstract

One of the hardest processes encountered by petroleum refining is sulfur elimination from fuel oil. There are many traditional methods executed but they caused drawbacks such as poor selectivity of sulfur compounds and toxic raw materials. Extractive oxidative desulfurization (EODS) caught the interest of researchers due to high selectivity of sulfur compounds and great desulfurization. Currently, researchers are investigating the use of ionic liquids (ILs) as green extractant, unfortunately they are expensive. This research is proposing and comparing the use of cheap biodegradable solvents called deep eutectic solvents (DESs), as extractants in removing sulfur from fuel oil. The DESs are synthesized through a combination of choline chloride - orcinol and choline chloride - ethylene glycol, and their structure is confirmed through FTIR. Their thermal properties are characterized by DSC and TGA. Their desulfurization performance is evaluated by type of DESs, different ratios of DES and model oil, different ratios of oxidant and sulfone and various temperatures which these factors are found to influence the result. The optimum conditions are found to be at 1:1 for DES and model oil ratio, 4 for O/S ratio and temperature at 85 °C with the extraction efficiency of 99.98%. In conclusion, this DES has high potential to be the cheap green alternative to the conventional extractant for extractive oxidative desulfurization process.