Modeling of catalytic adsorptive desulfurization in a cyclic process

Abstract

Catalytic adsorptive desulfurization (CADS) recently received attention due to its integrated nature in reaching ultra-low sulfur content fuel. In this study, a mathematical model is used to simulate catalytic adsorptive behavior for a model fuel of toluene with 300 ppm di-benzothiophene over TiO2/SBA-15 catalyst. The results showed that near 100% sulfur removal can be obtained for the model fuel and negligible heat is released in the reactor. Cyclic temperature swing adsorption is studied and after one cycle, the process reached to steady state condition. The effect of addition of methanol in regeneration of adsorbent is also investigated and the results showed that injection of methanol would add some benefits into the process of desulfurization in terms of late breakthrough happening and reduction in di-benzothiophene concentration in the bed. A comparison between catalytic adsorptive (CADS), oxidative-adsorption (OADS) and adsorption desulfurization (ADS) methods is also conducted and the results showed that the first process provides a higher adsorption capacity.