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Designing Catalytic Desulfurization Processes to Prepare Clean Fuels, 2nd Edition
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Designing Catalytic Desulfurization Processes to Prepare Clean Fuels, 2nd Edition

A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Catalysis".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 October 2024) | Viewed by 8363

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Salete Balula

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Guest Editor
REQUIMTE/LAQV and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
Interests: heterogeneous catalysts; polyoxometalates; catalytic metal–organic frameworks; sustainable catalytic processes; oxidation catalysis; hydrogen peroxide; desulfurization; glycerol oxidation; deep-eutectic solvents
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Fátima Mirante

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
REQUIMTE, Chemistry Department, Universidade do Porto, Porto, Portugal
Interests: atmospheric pollution; urban aerosol; traffic emissions; source emissions; organic tracers; carbonac, MOFs; POMs; catalysis; oxidative desulfurization system;diesel; fuel; jets; GC-FID; GC-MS
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This issue is a continuation of the previous successful Special Issue “Designing Catalytic Desulfurization Processes to Prepare Clean Fuels”.

Sulfur compounds in fuels are the main reason for acid rain and environmental pollution. The combustion of fossil fuels generates emissions of sulfur such as sulfur dioxide (SO2), which is corrosive and toxic, and fine particulate matter of metal sulfates. In response to this, the specifications of transportation fuels set by governments have been increasing with respect to sulfur content over the years. The strict regulations imposed have required the development of novel technologies with higher cost efficiency and sustainability, adapted to a variety of different fuels, presenting distinct properties and sulfur contents. The actual desulfurization method in world refineries, i.e., hydrodesulfurization, has been adjusted to meet the tight specifications of the current limit imposed by government directives; however, the extreme severe conditions required (high temperature, pressure, and consumption of large amounts of hydrogen) are affecting the economic viability of the process. On the other hand, the hydrodesulfurization process is unviable for treating certain types of fuels, such as heavy fuel oil.

Catalytic processes can be used to improve or even replace the actual hydrodesulfurization. Therefore, this Special Issue aims to outline promising catalytic desulfurization technologies to treat fuels, designing novel cost-effective and sustainable processes. These can include biocatalysis, extractive, oxidation, adsorptive processes, etc., with viability for industrial application. Submissions are welcome in the form of original research manuscripts or critical review papers that represent the scientific field.

Dr. Salete Balula
Dr. Fátima Mirante
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • clean fuels
  • sulfur compounds
  • catalysts desulfurization processes
  • materials for sulfur removal
  • sustainable catalytic processes

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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28 pages, 8560 KiB  
Article
Methyl Mercaptan Removal from Methane Using Metal-Oxides and Aluminosilicate Materials
by Gerson Martinez-Zuniga, Samuel Antwi, Percival Soni-Castro, Olatunji Olayiwola, Maksym Chuprin, William E. Holmes, Prashanth Buchireddy, Daniel Gang, Emmanuel Revellame, Mark E. Zappi and Rafael Hernandez
Catalysts 2024, 14(12), 907; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14120907 - 10 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1037
Abstract
Methyl mercaptan is a sulfur-based chemical found as a co-product in produced natural gas and it causes corrosion in pipelines, storage tanks, catalysts, and solid adsorption beds. To improve the quality of methane produced, researchers have studied the use of metal oxides and [...] Read more.
Methyl mercaptan is a sulfur-based chemical found as a co-product in produced natural gas and it causes corrosion in pipelines, storage tanks, catalysts, and solid adsorption beds. To improve the quality of methane produced, researchers have studied the use of metal oxides and aluminum silicates as catalysts for removing mercaptan. However, there are restrictive limitations on the efficiency of metal oxides or aluminum silicates as adsorbents for this application. Therefore, this study investigated the performance of these materials in a fixed-bed reactor with simulated natural gas streams under various operating conditions. The testing procedure includes a detailed assessment of the adsorbent/catalysts by several techniques, such as Braeuer–Emmett–Teller (BET), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry (EDS), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy. The results revealed that metal oxides such as copper, manganese, and zinc performed well in methyl mercaptan elimination. The addition of manganese, copper, and zinc oxides to the aluminum silicate surface resulted in a sulfur capacity of 1226 mg S/g of catalyst. These findings provide critical insights for the development of catalysts that combine metal oxides to increase adsorption while reducing the production of byproducts like dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and dimethyl disulfide (DMDS) during methyl mercaptan removal. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Designing Catalytic Desulfurization Processes to Prepare Clean Fuels, 2nd Edition)
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19 pages, 5351 KiB  
Article
Deactivation and Regeneration Studies of Molybdenum-Based Catalysts in the Oxidative Desulfurization of Marine Fuel Oil
by Teddy Roy, Joy Alakari, Christine Lancelot, Pascal Blanchard, Line Poinel and Carole Lamonier
Catalysts 2024, 14(11), 823; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14110823 - 15 Nov 2024
Viewed by 1037
Abstract
The oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of heavy fuel oil (HFO) offers a promising solution for desulfurizing marine fuels under mild conditions, in line with current environmental regulations. While most studies focus on model or light fuels, explaining deactivation through leaching or sulfone adsorption, the [...] Read more.
The oxidative desulfurization (ODS) of heavy fuel oil (HFO) offers a promising solution for desulfurizing marine fuels under mild conditions, in line with current environmental regulations. While most studies focus on model or light fuels, explaining deactivation through leaching or sulfone adsorption, the deactivation mechanisms of catalysts in HFO remain poorly understood. In this work, Mo-based catalysts supported on alumina were extensively characterized before and after catalytic reactions, and regeneration through air calcination was considered. Techniques such as XRD, Raman spectroscopy, XRF, and TGA, alongside catalytic testing with H2O2 as an oxidant, revealed that Mo surface speciation significantly impacted both activity and deactivation. Contrary to well-dispersed polymolybdates, crystalline MoO3 induced low activity and hindered regeneration. No leaching of the active phase was demonstrated during the reaction. Sulfone adsorption had minimal impact on deactivation, while non-sulphur compounds appeared to be the key contributors. Regeneration outcomes were found to be molybdenum content-dependent: 10Mo/Al recovered its activity, while 20Mo/Al formed inactive phases, like Al2(MoO4)3. Using an organic oxidant (tBHP) during ODS influenced the regeneration, as it prevented Al2(MoO4)3 formation and redispersed crystalline MoO3, enhancing performance. These findings advance understanding of catalyst deactivation and suggest strategies to extend catalyst life in the ODS of HFO. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Designing Catalytic Desulfurization Processes to Prepare Clean Fuels, 2nd Edition)
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11 pages, 2189 KiB  
Article
Nano-TiO2-Enhanced Surface Functionalization of Recycled Concrete Aggregates for Improved Degradation Efficiency of Low-Concentration Sulfur Dioxide
by Xue-Fei Chen, Wei-Zhi Chen, Xiu-Cheng Zhang, Wen-Cong Lin, Jian-Sheng Zheng and Guo-Hui Yan
Catalysts 2024, 14(10), 709; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14100709 - 10 Oct 2024
Viewed by 793
Abstract
This study investigates the enhancement of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) surfaces with nano-TiO2 for an improved degradation of low-concentration sulfur dioxide (SO2). Nano-TiO2 particles, known for their photocatalytic properties, were uniformly deposited on RCA surfaces. Upon exposure to SO [...] Read more.
This study investigates the enhancement of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) surfaces with nano-TiO2 for an improved degradation of low-concentration sulfur dioxide (SO2). Nano-TiO2 particles, known for their photocatalytic properties, were uniformly deposited on RCA surfaces. Upon exposure to SO2 under light irradiation, the functionalized RCA exhibited significantly improved degradation efficiency. This was attributed to the photo-induced oxidation of SO2 by nano-TiO2. Enhanced degradation was further observed under UV light due to increased photoactivation. The nano-TiO2 coating also showed good durability and stability, ensuring long-term effectiveness. The experimental outcomes reveal that TiO2-treated recycled aggregates exhibit an 85% retained photocatalytic activity post five cycles of reuse. Furthermore, the investigation employs a second-order polynomial-based mathematical fitting function to generate a three-dimensional trend surface, visually illustrating the inverse relationships between sulfur dioxide degradation and environmental variables, such as initial concentration and flow rates. Finally, this study demonstrates the potential of nano-TiO2-modified RCA for mitigating the environmental impact of low-concentration SO2, contributing to the development of more sustainable construction materials and broadening RCA’s applications in environmental remediation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Designing Catalytic Desulfurization Processes to Prepare Clean Fuels, 2nd Edition)
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31 pages, 9696 KiB  
Article
Production of Green Fuel Using a New Synthetic Magnetite Mesoporous Nano-Silica Composite Catalyst for Oxidative Desulfurization: Experiments and Process Modeling
by Aysar T. Jarullah, Ahmed K. Hussein, Ban A. Al-Tabbakh, Shymaa A. Hameed, Iqbal M. Mujtaba, Liqaa I. Saeed and Jasim I. Humadi
Catalysts 2024, 14(8), 529; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14080529 - 15 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1059
Abstract
Producing an eco-friendly fuel with the least amount of sulfur compounds has been an ongoing issue for petroleum refineries. In this study, bentonite (which is a cheap material and is locally available in abundance) is employed to prepare a nano-silica catalyst with a [...] Read more.
Producing an eco-friendly fuel with the least amount of sulfur compounds has been an ongoing issue for petroleum refineries. In this study, bentonite (which is a cheap material and is locally available in abundance) is employed to prepare a nano-silica catalyst with a high surface area to be used for the oxidative desulfurization of kerosene. Two composite catalysts of Fe/silica were supported on CAT-1 (0% HY-zeolite and 100% nano-silica) and CAT-2 (20% HY-zeolite and 80% nano-silica). The activity of the catalysts was evaluated in a batch ODS (oxidative desulfurization) process at temperatures of 30, 60, 90, and 120 °C, a pressure of 1 atm, and a reaction time of 30, 60, 90, and 120 min using 120 L/h of air as the oxidant. The results revealed that the highest total sulfur removal efficiency was 50% and 87.88% for 100% nano-silica (CAT-1) and 80% nano-silica (CAT-2), respectively. The experimental data were then used to construct and validate an accurate mathematical model of the process. The operational parameters for eliminating more than 99% of sulfur and producing eco-friendly fuel were then achieved by using the model. The testing methods for these characterizing materials included X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric examination (TGA), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and surface area (BET). The outcomes indicated that the addition of HY-zeolite increased the activity of the catalyst (CAT-2 > CAT-1). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Designing Catalytic Desulfurization Processes to Prepare Clean Fuels, 2nd Edition)
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Review

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24 pages, 2405 KiB  
Review
Advanced Technologies Conciliating Desulfurization and Denitrogenation to Prepare Clean Fuels
by Rui G. Faria, Dinis Silva, Fátima Mirante, Sandra Gago, Luís Cunha-Silva and Salete S. Balula
Catalysts 2024, 14(2), 137; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal14020137 - 9 Feb 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3740
Abstract
The removal of sulfur- and nitrogen-containing compounds present in fuels is and will be crucial to accomplish actual strict regulations to avoid environmental and humanity health adversities. The conventional hydrodesulfurization and hydrodenitrogenation processes conducted by refineries are limited due to severe operating conditions, [...] Read more.
The removal of sulfur- and nitrogen-containing compounds present in fuels is and will be crucial to accomplish actual strict regulations to avoid environmental and humanity health adversities. The conventional hydrodesulfurization and hydrodenitrogenation processes conducted by refineries are limited due to severe operating conditions, and even more importantly, they are inefficient for simultaneously removing nitrogen- and sulfur-containing compounds in fuels. On the other hand, non-hydrogen technologies are beneficial in terms of mild operating conditions, and during the last two decades, some successful works have shown that these can be highly effective at efficiently removing both sulfur- and nitrogen-containing compounds from liquid fuels. For more than four decades, extensive research (thousands of publications since the 1980s) has been dedicated to developing remote desulfurization technologies without taking into consideration the presence of a complex fuel matrix, or even taking into account the presence of other harmful pollutant elements, such as nitrogen. Even more recently, several effective non-hydrogen denitrogenation processes have been reported without considering the presence of sulfur compounds. This review paper is a reflection on the limited work that has been successfully performed to simultaneously remove sulfur- and nitrogen-containing compounds from fuels. An evaluation of different methodologies (adsorption, extraction, oxidative (photo)catalysis, ultrasound-assisted oxidation) is presented here. Furthermore, this review intends to define new future strategies that will allow the design of more suitable and economical technologies, effectively conciliating desulfurization and denitrogenation processes to produce more sustainable fuels. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Designing Catalytic Desulfurization Processes to Prepare Clean Fuels, 2nd Edition)
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