Oil upgrading via desulfurization process using a new composite nano-alkaline-iron oxide over titanium oxide catalysts

Recently, demands for producing environment-friendly fuels and the strict regulations imposed on the petroleum refineries have been widely increased around the world. Therefore, use of efficient techniques is obligatory to meet the required standards. Hydrodesulfurization represents a conventional technique, with several drawbacks. Oxidative desulfurization of dibenzothiophene can be used as an alternative due to its advantages. The main aim of this study was to synthesize a novel catalyst (5% Fe 2 O 3 + 10% NaOH)/TiO 2 for the first time by adding active components of Fe 2 O 3 to the surface of TiO 2 and suppling the surface with a layer of NaOH which provides the surface with more hydroxyl produced from alkaline additives necessary for improving oxidative desulfurization. In the current study, oxidative desulfurization and upgrading of kerosene was investigated using a batch baffled reactor with H 2 O 2 as an oxidant and nano-composite (5% Fe 2 O 3 + 10% NaOH)/TiO 2 as a catalyst under various operating conditions of temperatures (30, 45, 60, and 75 °C), batch times (30, 45, 60, and 75 min), and initial doses of dibenzothiophene (350, 500, and 650 ppm). The texture properties of the catalyst utilized in the current study were characterized via advanced surface techniques, field-emission scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectra analyses. The main finding of this study is a higher upgrading efficiency of kerosene greater than 92.76% of desulfurization efficiency and was obtained under best operating conditions of 75 °C, 650 ppm, and 75 min of temperature, initial concentration, and batch time respectively. Also, the kinetic parameters of desulfurization reaction (the activation energy value and reaction order) were calculated using the runs data. It can be concluded that the experiments were followed pseudo-first-order reaction and 24.573 kJ/mol using the prepared catalyst. It can be concluded that the experimental data reveled a well fit.