Oxidative Dusulfurization of Dibenzothiophene from Model Oil (dodecane) using [bmim][Cl] as an Extracting Agent

The oxidative desulfurization of dibenzothiophene (DBT) from model oil (in dodecane) was carried out using ionic liquid as the extractant and catalyst, and hydrogen peroxide in combustion as an oxidant. The ionic liquid used were 1-Butyl-3-Methylimidazolium Chlorine [bmim]Cl. The effect of the amount of hydrogen peroxide on oxidative desulfurization was first investigated without usage of ionic liquid at room temperature. The result indicate that greater amount of hydrogen peroxide yield higher desulfurization and the maximum desulfurization in this study were 17.32% removal at the molar ratio of hydrogen peroxide to S-content was 10:1. With the usage of ionic liquid and the molar ratio 10:1(hydrogen peroxide to S-content), the efficiency of sulfur removal from model oil was enhanced to 21.02% removal, it was increase significantly in term of sulfur removal and removal time. The mixing time was 300 minutes at room temperature. The result indicates the potential of ionic liquids as the extractant and catalyst for oxidative desulfurization of hydrocarbon fuels.