Sulfur content reduction of waste oil by modified NaY zeolite

Abstract

This work explores the feasibility of reduction in sulfur content of waste oil (WO), by modified NaY zeolite adsorbent under ambient pressure. Parent NaY zeolite has been desilicated with alkaline solution and ion-exchanged in conjunction with Cu and Ni transition metals. Liquid phase ion-exchange employed for selectivity improvement and movement restriction of active metal ions through microwave irradiation and calcination. Modified Y zeolites were characterized, and their desulfurization efficiency over WO containing 4,160 ppm total sulfur have been analyzed. Results showed that Cu–NaY adsorbent removed 36.6% total sulfur and Ni–NaY modified zeolite adsorbed 37.1% of total sulfur after 40 min exposure at 75 °C. It was because of zeolite mesopores increased diffusion of lofty sulfur molecules into super-cages while metal loaded sites increased the selectivity of sulfur compounds in WO. Metal-exchanged mesoporous zeolites are ensuring adsorbent for the removal of sulfur-containing compounds from WO.