Removal of Benzothiophene and Thiophene Using Butyl-methyl-imidazolium Dibutylphosphate [BMIM] [DBP] from Crude Oil Model

• Main Author: Zul-lkifli, Mohd Ariff
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS 2009
• Subjects: TP Chemical technology
• Online Access: http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/9117/1/2009%20-%20Removal%20of%20Benzothiophene%20and%20Thiophene%20using%20Butyl-Methyl-Imidazoliu%20DibutylPhosphate%28Bmi.pdf; http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/9117/

This report contains the study on desulfurization of crude oil model using butyl-methylimidazolium dibutylphosphate [BMIM][DBP] (ionic liquid). The classical desulfurization process involves catalytic hydrogenation of sulfur compounds (hydrodesulfiirization, HDS) into hydrogen sulfide. The hydrogen sulfide which is separated from the desulfurized crude is oxidized catalytically with air into elemental sulfur. However, some S-compounds such as dibenzothiophene, methyl dibenzothiophene, and 4,6-dimethyl dibenzothiophene are less reactive to HDS. The ionic liquids gained increasing interest over the past years due to its unique properties both as extractant and also as catalyst. Therefore, extractive desulfurization using the ionic liquids has been identified as the alternative to the conventional method. The scope of this study includes preparation of [BMIM][DBP] followed by the characterization and finally the extraction of benzothiophene and thiophene (sulfur compound, S) from the crude oil model. The study is mainly done in the lab. It is include determining the sulfur content in the crude in order to create the crude oil model, characterizing the ionic liquids and testing the extraction ability of the ionic liquids. Based on the result obtained, the extraction of benzothiophene from the crude oil model using [BM3M][DBP] is ranging from 50% to 92%. The extraction performance of [BMIM][DBPj for thiophene is between 40% to 67%. This shows that the extraction performance of [BMIM][DBP] is remarkable. The extraction performance can be improved if the multiple pass extraction is done. Therefore, the extractions of sulfur compound using the ionic liquids have the bright potential to replace the conventional technique.