Oxidative Desulfurization of Dibenzothiophene from Model Oil Using Acidic Ionic Liquid as Extracting Agent

Due to the stricter engineering regulations for the oil industry regarding the sulphur content, there have been increasing initiatives for removal of sulphur contents in fuel by various, greener method such as ionic liquids. The oxidative desulfurization of dibenazothiophene (DBT) from model oil was carried out using as the extractant and catalyst, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in combination with acetic acid and sulphuric acid as the oxidant. The acidic ionic liquid used is 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim][Cl]). The effect of the catalyst and oxidant without any ionic liquid was studied first with the optimal desulfurization was removal of 35% of sulphur at a ratio of H2O2 to sulphur at 5:1.The same ratio and method using the acidic ionic liquid removed only 11% of the sulphur content. Using the same H2O2 to sulphur ratio, the effect of the ionic liquid to model oil ratio was studied with an optimum at 1:3 ionic liquid to model oil ratio with removal of 35% sulphur content.