Nitrogen removal from hydrocarbon streams is important for multiple applications in petroleum processing. The goal of this work is to develop a fundamental understanding of the role of physic-chemical properties of carbon-based adsorbents in the adsorption of nitrogen compounds that are known to be present in liquid fuels. Various model compounds and real refinery streams were used as feeds and different activated carbons were examined as adsorbents before and after modification. The surface chemical properties of the adsorbents were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) techniques with a mass spectrometer to identify and quantify the type and concentration of functional groups. Although surface area and pore size distribution are important for the adsorption process, they are not primary factors in the adsorption of nitrogen compounds. On the other hand, both the type and concentration of surface functional groups play an important role in determining adsorptive  denitrogenation. Certain types of functional groups on surface contribute more to adsorption of specific types of nitrogen compounds such as quinolone type and indole type. Some modified carbon samples were shown to be promising adsorbents for the removal of the nitrogen compounds from real refinery streams for diesel fuels.

Selective adsorption for removal of nitrogen compounds from hydrocarbon streams

248th National Meeting (2014)

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