Diesel fuel desulfurization by alumina/polymer nanocomposite membrane: Experimental analysis and modeling by the response surface methodology

Abstract

Sulfur compounds in diesel fuels result in environmental pollution and corrosion in automobile engines. Therefore, it is crucial to reduce the sulfur content as much as possible. This study focuses on the fabrication of nanocomposite membranes from the polypropylene-polyethylene blend and alumina nanoparticles for application in the pervaporation process to separate sulfur compounds from diesel fuels. The effect of temperature, nano-alumina, and polyethylene dosage of the membrane on the permeation flux and enrichment factor of sulfur compounds investigates from experimental and modeling perspectives. Experimental results showed that the permeation flux increases by temperature and alumina concentration and decreases by the membrane polyethylene dosage. The temperature increases the enrichment factor for membranes with low alumina content and decreases the enrichment factor for the membranes with high alumina content. The polyethylene dosage of the membrane increases the enrichment factor at a low temperature and decreases the enrichment factor at a high temperature. Finally, the response surface methodology justified that a nanocomposite membrane (0.475 wt% of alumina nanoparticles, 5.09 wt% of polyethylene polymer) at a temperature of 40 °C removes the maximum amount of sulfur compounds. In this optimum condition, the permeation flux is 3.82 kg/m2 h, and the enrichment factor is 1.71.