Catalytic oxidative desulfurization of diesel fuel utilizing a polymolybdate alumina supported catalyst: characterization, catalytic activity and mechanistic study

Catalytic oxidative desulfurization of diesel fuel utilizing a polymolybdate alumina supported catalyst: characterization, catalytic activity and mechanistic study

Type	Journal Article
Author	Wan Nazwanie Wan Abdullah
Author	Wan Azelee Wan Abu Bakar
URL	http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11144-014-0801-4
Volume	114
Issue	2
Pages	547-560
Publication	Reaction Kinetics, Mechanisms and Catalysis
Date	2014/11/05
Abstract	Researchers investigated the performance of oxidative desulfurization of commercial diesel by alumina supported polymolybdate based catalyst system using tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as an oxidizing agent. They introduced transition metals including Fe, Co and Cu onto the surface of alumina, prior to the impregnation of MoO3. Their results revealed that the oxidation of sulfur in commercial diesel with TBHP decreased in the order: Fe/MoO3/Al2O3 > Co/MoO3/Al2O3 > Cu/MoO3/Al2O3. Further investigations on doped molybdenum revealed that Fe/MoO3/Al2O3, calcined at 500 °C was the best catalyst in this study. The catalyst was able to reduce sulfur levels in commercial diesel from 440 ppmw to less than 18 ppmw. Results suggested the reaction mechanisms for oxidation of sulfur compound, in the presence of Fe/MoO3/Al2O3 catalyst, to the corresponding sulfones.