Removal of sulfur-containing compounds from oil by activated carbon adsorption

The possibility of using activated carbon to remove sulfur-containing species in oil was explored.The desulfurization performance of activated carbons pretreated under different conditions was evaluated by measuring the adsorption isotherms and using a model oil in a batch-type adsorption device.The sulfur content in the model oil is 440×10-6.The results show that the adsorption capability of thiophene on the activated carbon pretreated by oxidizing in HNO3 at 120 ℃ is superior to that of other activated carbons treated by other methods.The optimum adsorption performance can be achieved at the temperature of 20 ℃,the adsorption time of 3 h,and the adsorbent/ oil ratio of 0.09 g/g.The adsorption isotherms of thiophene on the activated carbons fit the Freundlich model and equation satisfactorily.The thiophene adsorption on the activated carbon is a spontaneous.