Performance evaluation of green adsorbent (neem leaf powder) for desulfurization of petroleum distillate

Abstract

The release of sulfur-containing compounds during direct combustion of diesel fuel has caused environment issues which require urgent attention. Recently, stringent environmental regulations by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to minimise the total sulfur-containing compounds released into the atmosphere have intensified the research in this area. In this present study, adsorption experiments in batch mode were conducted using an activated green adsorbent (Neem leaves powder) to reduce the amount of dibenzothiophene (DBT) in a synthetic oil. The synthetic oil was prepared by dissolving 0.1 g of dibenzothiophene (DBT) in 100 mL of hexane. Various analytical techniques were used such as; Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to check the morphological structure of the adsorbent. Nitrogen adsorption and desorption experiments (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, BET) at 77 K were used to check the surface area, pore size and pore volume of the adsorbent. N2 physio-sorption at 77 K before and after adsorption showed adsorption of DBT molecules onto the surface of the adsorbent after adsorption experiment. The results showed about 65.78 % removal of DBT at temperature of 30o C and adsorbent amount of 0.8 g. Therefore, neem leave powder could be an alternative cheap adsorbent to reduce the concentration of organo-sulfur compound in petroleum distillates. This may offer new perception into the development and application of green materials in sustainable, innovative and effective waste management and abatement of environmental pollution.