A Non-catalytic Deep Desulphurization Process using Hydrodynamic Cavitation.
A novel approach is developed for desulphurization of fuels or organics without use of catalyst. In this process, organic and aqueous phases are mixed in a predefined manner under ambient conditions and passed through a cavitating device. Vapor cavities formed in the cavitating device are then collapsed which generate (in-situ) oxidizing species which react with the sulphur moiety resulting in the removal of sulphur from the organic phase. In this work, vortex diode was used as a cavitating device. Three organic solvents (n-octane, toluene and n-octanol) containing known amount of a model sulphur compound (thiophene) up to initial concentrations of 500 ppm were used to verify the proposed method. A very high removal of sulphur content to the extent of 100% was demonstrated. The nature of organic phase and the ratio of aqueous to organic phase were found to be the most important process parameters. The results were also verified and substantiated using commercial diesel as a solvent. The developed process has great potential for deep of various organics, in general, and for transportation fuels, in particular.
Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, 411008, India.|CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Chemical Engineering &Process Development Division, Pune, 411008, India.
Nalinee B
NB
Suryawanshi
Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, 411008, India.|CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Chemical Engineering &Process Development Division, Pune, 411008, India.
Vinay M
VM
Bhandari
Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Applied Chemistry Department, Nagpur, 440010, India.
Laxmi Gayatri
LG
Sorokhaibam
CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Chemical Engineering &Process Development Division, Pune, 411008, India.
Vivek V
VV
Ranade