Improving the extraction of sulfur-containing compounds from fuel using surfactant material in a digital baffle reactor

Abstract

Abstract Extraction desulfurization process (EDP) for dibenzothiophene (DBT) from model light gas oil (LGO) improved using solvent mixture with new surfactant material (sodium thiosulfate) in digital baffle batch reactor (DBBR). Surfactant material was help increase extraction surface through increase dispersion of solvent in LGO. Reactor design was the best designer where negligible region of died zone in the reactor, rotation of fuel beside of wall, because adding the baffle on the wall. The blade design was distributes hexagonal holes that help liquid cross with solvent and this increases mixing and mass transfer DBT from model LGO to solvent. Operational conditions effects on extractive desulfurization process (EDP) it’s found such as solvent mixture (methanol, ethanol and toluene) to LGO model ratio, speed of impeller, extraction temperature, extraction time and effect surfactant were explored. Optimal experimental results represented that the extraction conditions were; (methanol = 10 ml, ethanol = 10 ml, toluene = 10 ml and volume of cocktail solvent equal to 30 ml MET))/model of LGO ratio speed of impeller 450 rpm, extraction time 21 min and extraction temperature 85 °C. Maximum DBT removal from model LGO was obtained at 89.8%, at this operating condition. Higher polarity of DBT was obtained when solvent used 30 ml MET. For removal dibenzothiophene (DBT) from model light gas oil, the results indicate that the extraction desulfurization process is suitable method to improve fuel quality.