Studies on Adsorptive Desulfurization by Activated Carbon

Sulfur removal using adsorption requires a proper process parametric study to determine its optimal performance characteristics. In this study, response surface methodology was employed for sulfur removal from model oil (dibenzothiophene; DBT dissolved in iso-octane) using commercial activated carbon (CAC) as an adsorbent. Experiments were carried out as per central composite design with four input parameters such as initial concentration (C0: 100-900?mg/L), adsorbent dosage (m: 222?g/L), time of adsorption (t: 15735?min), and temperature (T: 1050 degrees C). Regression analysis showed good fit of the experimental data to the second-order polynomial model with coefficient of determination R2-value of 0.9390 and Fisher F-value of 16.5. The highest removal of sulfur by CAC was obtained with m?=?20?g/L, t?=?6?h, and T?=?30 degrees C.