Acylation desulfurization of oil via reactive adsorption

Excellent desulfurization is achieved via reactive adsorption using Friedel-Crafts acylation materials, that is, acylating reagents and Lewis acids, such as acetyl chloride (AC) and AlCl 3 , being named as acylation desulfurization (ACDS). For model oil, thiophenic compounds, namely, dibenzothiophene, benzothiophene, and thiophene, are removed completely by AC–AlCl 3 within 30 min at room temperature. In this process, thiophenic compounds are acylated by AC under the catalysis of AlCl 3 , and the acylated derivatives are stronger base than original ones due to incorporation of O-containing carbonyl group (CO) and, thus, adsorbed more easily by AlCl 3 via Lewis acid–base complexation. Further, ACDS mechanism is identified by acylated product characterization and quantum chemistry calculation. Satisfactorily, ACDS is still effective for toluene-rich and real oils, and real oil quality is improved with desulfurization proceeding. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J , 59: 2966–2976, 2013