Desulfurization of Dibenzothiophene, DBT from Model Oil and Real Diesel by Extraction with [BMIMJC0CI3 Ionic Liquids

The ionic liquids l-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium-CobaIt Chloride ([BMIM]CoCl3) was
utilized as the solvent for the extractive desulfurization of model oil (Dodecane) and
diesel fuel at different temperatures and ratios of [BMIM]CoCl3 and Dodecane or Diesel.
The extraction performance was tested first using dodecane spiked with known quantity
of Dibenzothiophene (DBT) before moving to the commercial diesel from refinery. The
amount of DBT extracted decreases with increasing temperature of the extraction.
Nevertheless the extraction performance on the model oil seems to be almost complete
with extremely little sulfur left over. [BMIM]CoCl3 was found to work best at ambient
temperature of T^25°C as the DBT extraction for every single ILs:Oil ratio tested
resulted in complete is extraction.. A test with non-sulfur component spikd in the
dodecane shows that the ionic liquid did not extract it. The [BMIM]CoCl3 shows great
potential to be an excellent sulfur extractant agent especially DBT compounds in both
model oil and real diesel.