Desulfurization of Model Oil by Extraction with Pyridinium-Based Ionic Liquids

This report contains the study on Desulfurization of Model Oil by Extraction with
Pyridinium-Based Ionic Liquids. The objective of the project is to determine the sulfurcompound
(Benzothiophene, BT) removal efficiency of pyridine-based ionic liquids
([MPy][DMP]) from model oil. The challenge in this project is preparation of pyridinium-based
ionic liquid followed by characterization using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) analyzer
and Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) analyzer. Lab testing has been done by using different
sulfur-containing compounds and different ionic liquids. The efficiency of the removal process
has been determined using CHNS analyzer.
1-Methylpyridinium Dimethylphosphate, [MPy][DMP] can be synthesized via one-pot method
with high yield, easy purification and low cost. The preparation of [MPy[BMP] was carried out
in the laboratory starting from the purification of 1-Methylpyridine till drying of the ionic liquid.
Then, [MPy] [DMP] has been washed with diethyl ether as solvent for 2-3 times before
proceeding with the drying process using rotary evaporator. The experiment went well and the
ionic liquid was successfully synthesized based on the result of drying of ionic liquid.
[MPy][DMP] was used to extract different percentages (2% and 6%) of sulfur compound,
benzothiophene (BT) from model oil. The percentage sulfur removal from the model oil were,
33% and 47% respectively.
Commercial ionic liquid, Methylmidazolium Trimetylphosphate, [MMim][DMP] was used for
comparison with the efficiency of ionic liquid prepared. The extraction results seem promising to
be commercialized since the extraction performance for each sample ranging from 60% to 61%
which is quite high.