Nickel boride: an improved desulphurizing agent for sulphur-rich geomacromolecules in polar and asphaltene fractions

Abstract

Nickel boride, a novel desulphurizing agent, was investigated for the desulphurization of sulphur-rich geomacromolecules in polar and asphaltene fractions. It was found to be as effective as the conventional desulphurizing agent, Raney nickel, for sulphur-rich geomacromolecules in polar fractions, but more effective for sulphur-rich geomacromolecules in asphaltene fractions. The distributions of the compounds released with Raney nickel or nickel boride were, however, very similar. A further advantage of this method is that deuterium labelling of released hydrocarbons is easily achieved. Furthermore, problems of decreasing activity with storage time (as with Raney nickel) do not exist because the desulphurizing agent is made in situ. Compared with other desulphurization methods nickel boride is rapid and effective in desulphurizing polar and asphaltene fractions and requires no special equipment. Application to high-molecular-weight fractions of an oil and a sediment extract are demonstrated.