Development of integrated approach employing Fe/TK)2-[BMIMJFeCl4 system for sulfur removal from model oil

• Main Author: Fakhrol, Den Agustino
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS 2010
• Subjects: TP Chemical technology
• Online Access: http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/9445/1/2010%20-%20Development%20of%20Integrated%20Approach%20Employing%20Fe%20TiO2-%28BMIM%29FeCl4%20System%20for%20Sulfur%20Removal.pdf; http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/9445/
• Institution: Universiti Teknologi Petronas

This project researchs onthe development of T1O2 semiconductors doped with Iron, Fe as the photocatalyst andionic liquid, [BMIMJFeCLt for desulfurization process of model oil. Current technology for desulfurization requires severe process conditions; high pressure and temperature in order to remove the sulfur compounds in crude oil. Therefore, research is being conducted to develop better desulfiirization process employing photocatalysis andliquid-liquid extraction conducted at atmospheric pressure and temperature in the presence oxygen. Ti02 was selected as the photocatalyst but not active in visible light. So, modification was done by doping the Ti02 photocatalyst with transition metals, Iron, Fe. Transition metal doping is able to enhance the photoexcitation of electrons in the photocatalyst when only subjected to visible light. Besides, it can act as charge carriertrapper for both photogenerated electrons and holes thus inhibiting the electron-holes recombination for longer time. Wet Impregnation method was chosen to prepare iron-doped catalyst, using h*on(III) Nitrate, Fe(N03)3 as starting materials. The dopant loading varied from 0.4 to 0.8wt% and two calcination temperatures were selected which are 400°C and 500°C. Characterization of the modified photocatalysts were done by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), UV-vis Diffuse Reflectance Spectra {UV-vis DRS), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). In this project, l-butyl-3- methylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate , [BMIMJFeCU was preferred as the ionic liquid for liquid-liquid extraction process as it involved same element with the transition metal doped to Ti02. [BMIM]FeCl4 was prepared by mixing together anhydrous Iron(IH) Chloride, FeCl3 and l-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride, [BMIM]C1. The desulfurization analysis using halogen lamp and Gas Chromatography, GCanalysis was done to investigate the photocatalytic activity of the modified photocatalysts and extraction process by ionic liquid. It was found that 0.6wt% of Fe/Ti02 calcined at 400°C yield, thus chosen for the integrated approach combining with ionic liquid, [BMEvflFeCL*. The integrated approach also showed the increment of sulfur removal from using photocatalyst and model oil alone. The reduction of band gap as a result of doping was estimated and theinfluence oftheprocess parameters oncatalytic activity is explained.