Adsorption desulfurization by activated carbon from petroleum coke

Adsorption desulfurization by activated carbon obtained from DuShanzi petroleum coke was investigated.The activated carbon was prepared through the improved physical activation and the surface area reached 500 m2/g～900 m2/g;its porous structure and distribution were modified by acid oxidation.With the surface acid oxidation,the amounts of oxygen function groups on the activated carbon surface increases for almost 5 times more than those on the original activated carbon.The optimum nitric acid oxidation conditions are 120 oC and 40 min.The optimum process conditions of desulfurization are 25 oC,1.0 MPa and 6 hours by static status adsorption.Under these conditions,the sulfur content of model compound decreases from 137.9×10-6 to 3.1×10-6.Activated carbon with the average pore diameter from 0.8 nm to 2.1 nm was effective to reduce the sulfur content in the model compound,it suggest that such a microporous structure could benefit the desulfurization.