Modeling of the FCC Gasoline Desulfurization Process by Liquid Extraction with Sulfolane

Abstract

Extractive desulfurization of fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) gasoline with sulfolane was studied in a batch apparatus. The influence of three inlet parameters (temperature, inlet sulfur content, and solvent ratio) on the process response, that is, desulfurization efficiency, was investigated with the use of a Box-Behnken experimental design by response surface methodology. A mathematical model that can be used for predicting sulfur content in raffinate after extractive batch processing with sulfolane was statistically developed and proven with analysis of variance. Statistical analysis showed that the largest influence on desulfurization efficiency was solvent ratio, the second most significant influence was inlet sulfur content, followed by temperature, and last the interaction between solvent ratio and inlet sulfur content. The obtained second-order polynomial model shows that maximum desulfurization efficiency of 65.34% can be achieved at temperature of 50 ı C and higher values of inlet sulfur content and solver ratio in the researched range of inlet parameter values.

Optimum Performance of Extractive Desulfurization of Liquid Fuels Using Phosphonium and Pyrrolidinium-Based Ionic Liquids

“…Relative to other response surface design, Box-Behnken is efficient and requires fewer number of runs in cases involving 3 or 4 variables 22 . Despite the advantages offered by this statistical approach to experimental design and analysis, few works (in the desulfurization field) can be found in literature 22,23 .…”

Deep Desulfurization of Model Oil by Extraction with a Low-viscosity Ionic Liquid [BMIM]SCN

“…Extractive desulfurization (EDS) progress was usually based on the fact that the sulfur compounds were more soluble than hydrocarbons in the selected solvent. Some organic solvents used as extractants for the removal of sulfur compounds had been studied (Adžamić et al, 2010). But a phenomenon could not be ignored that these organic solvents were always flammable and volatile, which might bring additional environmental and safety problems.…”

Alumina supported polymolybdate catalysts utilizing tert-butyl hydroperoxide oxidant for desulfurization of Malaysian diesel fuel

“…With DOE, empirical mathematical models are obtained, which enables us to predict responses for all possible inlet factor combinations. With these models it is possible to optimize critical factors and identify the best combination of value [8]. Box-Behnken design (BBD) is the most frequently employed and offers some advantages, requiring few experimental points and high efficiency [9].…”