Progress in desulfurization for fuel oil by selective adsorption

Mechanisms of and advances in different adsorbent desulfurization and selective adsorption were reviewed. In the desulfurization research of selective adsorbent, the metal ion modified Y zeolites were used most, especially the Y zeolites modified by Cu, Ni and Ce. Adsorption desulfurization mechanism mainly included π-complexation adsorption and the S—M metal sulfur bond. The fuel oils, such as gasoline and diesel, were complex mixtures which contained numerous organic compounds (paraffins, olefins and aromatics) and a small quantity of nitride, oxide, water and colloid which influenced on adsorption desulfurization. Olefins and aromatics, however, affected seriously the performance of the selective adsorprtion desulfurization of adsorbent. Sulfur capacity and selectivity of the absorbents for fuel oils which were rich in olefins and aromatics were low. Therefore it has great significance to study the corresponding adsorption mechanism and adsorbent which possess high selectivity and sulfur capacity.