The performance of pelletized Ce-Y and Ni-Y zeolites for removal of thiophene from model gasoline solutions

Abstract

H-Y zeolite was prepared with Na-Y zeolite via ion-exchange method. Ni-Y and Ce-Y zeolites were then prepared with H-Y zeolite via solid-state ion-exchange (SSIE) method. The pellet form of the zeolites was employed for removal of thiophene from samples containing 194, 116 and 72 ppmw sulfur in a batch system at ambient condition. The removal of sulfur over the three types of the adsorbents decreased according to the following order: Ce-Y (81.7%) >Ni-Y (75.2%)>Na-Y (51.7%), indicating that the Ce-Y zeolite was the most effective adsorbent for removing of sulfur compounds from gasoline. Adsorption isotherms of thiophene on Ni-Y and Ce-Y zeolites were obtained and correlated with six well-known isotherms. The equilibrium data of thiophene adsorption were well fitted to the isotherms and the corresponding parameters and fitting error criteria of the isotherm equations were obtained.